Poland has recently gained prominence as a destination for manufacturing investments in Europe. Especially since 2025, a series of large-scale projects by foreign manufacturers have been announced. These cover a wide range of sectors—automotive (in particular electric vehicles), EV batteries, renewable energy equipment, electronics, consumer goods, and food products. The drivers include EU environmental regulations, the shift toward EVs, and the global restructuring of supply chains (nearshoring). This article summarizes the latest developments and specific projects by sector, explaining the overall trends and background.
Large-Scale Investments in EV and Battery Supply Chains
Amid the global trend toward electrification, Poland has seen large investments by European and American automakers in EV production bases.
- Ascend Elements (USA) – In May 2025, American battery materials company Ascend Elements announced plans to build a plant in Poland to produce precursors (pCAM) for lithium-ion battery cathodes . The investment totals about USD 1.25 billion (approx. PLN 5 billion), with the Polish government deciding to provide up to PLN 1.22 billion (approx. USD 320 million) in subsidies under the EU’s Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF) . This is regarded as one of the largest subsidies in the history of the Ministry of Development and Technology . Ascend plans to use its own recycling technology to produce nickel-manganese-cobalt precursors at the new plant, thereby contributing to strengthening Europe’s EV battery supply chain and the circular economy . Although the exact location has not been disclosed, the company has already identified candidate sites in Poland . While no specific start-up schedule has been given, considering that the company’s similar plant under construction in Kentucky is scheduled to begin operations in 2026, the Polish plant is expected to come online around 2027.
- Ronbay Technology (China) – Chinese cathode materials producer Ningbo Ronbay New Energy Technology (Ronbay) announced a large-scale investment in Konin, Poland . The company acquired a cathode plant project originally started by UK’s JM, and plans to invest over €1 billion to complete and fully commission it . According to announcements made in 2024, the first phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with production of 25,000 tons of cathode materials annually starting in 2026 . The project is expected to create 600–800 jobs. This investment will serve as a stable supply source for Europe’s EV battery materials, supported by upstream lithium hydroxide supply from Germany’s Rock Tech .
- POSCO International (South Korea) – POSCO International is building an EV motor core plant in Brzeg, Opole Province, southwestern Poland . Groundbreaking took place in June 2024 on a site of 100,000 m², with a total investment of €360 million . The first phase will cost €180 million, employing about 200 people. Once fully operational, the plant will produce motor cores for 1.2 million EVs annually . The products will mainly be supplied to Hyundai and Kia plants in Slovakia and the Czech Republic . Localizing production in Poland will reduce logistics costs and ensure stable procurement. From the perspective of EU local content regulations and potential tariffs, the significance of Korean manufacturers producing EV components in Poland is considerable.
- Compal Electronics (Taiwan) – Taiwanese company Compal Electronics is constructing an automotive electronics plant in Czeladź, Silesia Province . The investment totals about €54 million, with employment expected at about 50 people. The highly automated facility will produce automotive electronic control units. While employment is limited, the project is significant as it is only the second Taiwanese manufacturing investment in Poland in two years .
Thus, foreign investments are spanning every stage of the EV value chain in Poland—from cathode materials to motor cores and automotive electronics. Behind this is the EU’s ban on sales of new gasoline vehicles by 2035, regulations increasing the required local production ratio of EV batteries, and the global restructuring of supply chains. The Polish government and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) also regard e-mobility as a “strategic sector” and are focusing on attracting such projects . Along with abundant technical talent and advantageous location, special economic zone tax benefits and subsidies have accelerated the relocation of production to Poland by companies from Europe, the US, and Asia.
Renewable Energy Manufacturing Investments
Poland is also actively developing renewable energy-related manufacturing, aligned with the European Green Deal. A symbolic example is the world’s largest offshore wind tower plant.
- Windar Renovables (Spain) – In May 2025, Windar Renovables broke ground on a large-scale offshore wind turbine tower plant in Szczecin, northern Poland . The government approved PLN 230 million (about €54 million) in subsidies , with total investment including private funds reaching PLN 880 million (about €300 million) . The new plant will occupy 17 hectares on Ostrów Grabowski Island in Szczecin Port. Once complete, it will have capacity to produce up to 500 tower sections per year (about 100 full offshore towers) . Operations are scheduled to start in 2026, creating about 450 new jobs .
- Vestas (Denmark) – Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas is also investing in Szczecin. It established a nacelle assembly plant that began operations in late 2024 , employing 600–700 workers . Plans are also underway to build a blade manufacturing facility, scheduled to start operations around 2026 . Together with Windar, these projects are making northern Poland a major offshore wind supply hub for the Baltic Sea.
High-Tech and Semiconductor-Related Investments
Poland is being positioned as a European semiconductor backend hub (assembly, testing, packaging).
- MEP Solutions (Israel-affiliated) – In 2025, MEP Solutions began constructing a new plant in Gdańsk . With an investment of €20 million, the factory will employ about 60 people and produce its proprietary “4D FAB IN A BOX®” modules for semiconductor fabs, cleanrooms, data centers, and nuclear facilities . The Tricity region (Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot) was chosen due to its skilled workforce and port infrastructure . The Polish Investment and Trade Agency’s Tel Aviv office was directly involved in supporting the investment .
Although Intel ultimately decided in 2025 not to build a large semiconductor assembly plant in Poland , the country continues to attract mid-sized high-tech projects thanks to cost competitiveness, skilled engineers, and EU stability.
Consumer Goods and Food Sector Investments
- Beiersdorf (Germany) – In June 2025, Beiersdorf completed a €300 million expansion of its Poznań plant . The investment doubled production capacity with six automated lines and a new microbiology lab, enabling 500 million skincare products annually . More than 200 jobs were created, and the plant is now one of the company’s global hubs, supplying over 100 countries .
- PepsiCo (USA) – In late 2023, PepsiCo opened a new snack factory in Środa Śląska, Lower Silesia . The investment totaled PLN 1 billion (about €240 million) and created 450 jobs . The plant produces Lay’s and Doritos for Poland and over 20 European countries . It is one of the most sustainable PepsiCo facilities in Europe, featuring renewable energy, water reuse, and circular economy technologies .
Conclusion: Strategic Context and Outlook
In Poland, since 2025, manufacturing investments have been accelerating across a wide range of industries and from diverse countries. The strategic background can be summarized in three key trends:
- EU Environmental Regulations and Industrial Policy – With the EU Green Deal and targets such as the 2035 ICE ban, companies must expand EV and renewable energy production inside Europe. Poland has successfully attracted plants for batteries, EV parts, and wind power equipment, supported by subsidies and EU frameworks .
- Geopolitical Risks and Nearshoring – Companies are moving production closer to EU markets to reduce reliance on Asia. Poland’s location, costs, and workforce make it an attractive nearshoring hub .
- Government Incentives and Market Potential – Poland offers special economic zones, tax relief, subsidies, and infrastructure investment. With a population of 38 million and strong STEM talent, it provides both a skilled workforce and a sizeable domestic market .
In total, Poland attracted over PLN 650 billion (approx. USD 160 billion) in investments in 2025 . While challenges remain—such as labor supply, energy capacity, and political stability—the country is steadily consolidating its role as a key European manufacturing hub. From EV batteries and wind power to semiconductors and consumer goods, Poland has become central to Europe’s green and digital industrial transformation.
Reference
https://ascendelements.com/republic-of-poland-offers-ascend-elements-up-to-usd-320-million/
https://www.trade.gov.pl/en/news/a-summing-up-of-paihs-year/
https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/rock-tech-lithium-ronbay-technology-alliance-2025
https://www.green-forum.eu/industry/20250603/poland-backs-worlds-largest-offshore-tower-plant-1903
https://www.polandatsea.com/the-future-baltics-offshore-wind-hub-emerges-in-szczecin/
https://investinpomerania.pl/en/news/another-semiconductor-industry-investment-in-pomerania
https://www.trade.gov.pl/en/news/semiconductors-in-the-tri-city-a-new-investment-by-mep-solutions/
https://www.foodbev.com/news/pepsico-opens-its-most-sustainable-factory-in-europe
