529 million metal aerosol units sold in UK in 2025 as demand shifts across categories

UK metal aerosol packaging sales reached approximately 529 million units in 2025, with strong growth in selected personal care, household and food applications offsetting declines in other categories.

UK metal aerosol packaging sales stood at around 529 million units in 2025, down from approximately 567 million units in 2016, according to data from the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA), based on Euromonitor research.

While the overall volume has declined over the decade, the figures point to a more mixed picture for the UK aerosol market. Several applications have recorded significant growth, with BAMA highlighting a positive pattern emerging since 2021 following the downturn during and after the pandemic.

“Overall, we see a resilient performance in UK aerosol sales”, said Patrick Heskins, chief executive of BAMA. He noted that growth has been particularly visible in insecticides, skin and sun care applications, and edible oil sales since 2021.

Sun care, skin care support personal care aerosols

Personal care remained the leading category by volume despite an overall decline in sales between 2016 and 2025.

Within the segment, however, individual applications have followed different trajectories. Sun care aerosol sales nearly doubled during the period, while bath and shower and skin care applications also recorded increases.

Deodorant sprays declined by 8 per cent, while hair care and depilatory aerosols also recorded lower sales over the decade.

The contrasting performance highlights how changing consumer preferences have influenced demand within the broader personal care aerosol market.

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Insecticides and surface care drive household growth

Household applications also recorded notable shifts between 2016 and 2025.

Sales of aerosol insecticides and surface care products each increased by more than 13 per cent over the decade. Air care products posted a more modest increase despite the emergence of alternative home-fragrance formats.

At the other end of the spectrum, aerosol polish sprays recorded the largest decline within the household category, with sales falling by more than 35 per cent.

Edible oil aerosols gain popularity

Food applications provided another area of growth, with edible oil spray sales increasing by 19 per cent between 2016 and 2025.

The rise suggests continued consumer uptake of spray formats for dispensing cooking oils, adding another application to the categories supporting demand for metal aerosol packaging.

Heskins said the Euromonitor data provides a clearer view of the categories gaining momentum as consumer preferences and market conditions evolve.

“Over the last decade, consumers have been driven by a diversity of trends, varying market conditions, social influences and changing expectations across all sectors,” he said, adding that the aerosol package had maintained its staying power despite these changes.

Sustainability and convenience shape future demand

Beyond sales volumes, Euromonitor’s qualitative insights point to several themes influencing the aerosol market.

Innovation continues in areas including sun care, skin care and men’s grooming, while sustainability and environmentally responsible packaging solutions are becoming increasingly important. Premiumisation also presents opportunities in personal care applications.

Consumer messaging is meanwhile being shaped by the growing importance of omnichannel retail and e-commerce, alongside demand for convenience, performance and value.

Taken together, the data shows that while UK metal aerosol sales in 2025 remained below their 2016 level, the market has not moved uniformly in one direction. Stronger demand in applications such as sun care, insecticides, surface care and edible oils has helped sustain the format as consumer needs and product categories continue to evolve.

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