Where Is ZYN Made? | UK Guide to ZYN (2025)

Introduction

The rise of nicotine pouches has reshaped the tobacco-free nicotine market in the UK and beyond. These small, discreet pouches allow users to enjoy nicotine without smoke, vapour, or tobacco. Over the past few years, their popularity has skyrocketed. According to a 2024 Johns Hopkins University study, U.S. nicotine pouch sales grew from 126 million units between August and December 2019 to more than 808 million units by early 2022.

This remarkable growth has raised a key question among UK consumers: Where is ZYN actually made? As one of the most recognised brands on the market, ZYN’s Swedish roots and American expansion tell a fascinating story. This article explores the origins of ZYN, how its production differs between Europe and the U.S., and how brands like VELO, White Fox, and White Gold are competing in this fast-growing space.

Read our guide: Where To Buy ZYN In UK

ZYN’s Swedish Heritage

ZYN was created in Sweden by Swedish Match, a company with a long history of producing snus and oral tobacco. When ZYN launched in 2016, it was designed as a tobacco-free version of snus, offering the same oral experience without tobacco leaf content.

Initial production began in Sweden, where Swedish Match’s decades of snus expertise allowed for fine-tuning the pouch design and flavour profiles. Swedish production still supplies Scandinavian and European markets, where preferences lean toward natural mint, citrus, and coffee flavours.

🇸🇪 Fun fact: Sweden’s experience with portioned snus gave ZYN its signature format — an all-white pouch that doesn’t stain teeth or release odour.

Read our guide: What Is Snus?

Expansion to the United States

As ZYN’s popularity surged, Swedish Match recognised that its European factories couldn’t meet global demand. To serve the U.S. market efficiently, the company invested in a major manufacturing facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. Between 2017 and 2019, over $115 million was invested to expand this site. By mid-2019, the Owensboro plant became ZYN’s primary North American production hub.

Today, nearly all ZYN sold in the U.S. originates from this Kentucky facility, while Swedish plants continue to serve the EU and UK markets. This transatlantic setup allows ZYN to comply with local regulations on nicotine strength and ingredient standards.

How ZYN Is Made

The manufacturing process behind ZYN is both precise and innovative:

1. A plant-based base (microcrystalline cellulose) forms the soft pouch structure.
2. Nicotine salt is added in specific concentrations to achieve the desired strength (3 mg or 6 mg).
3. Flavours like Mint, Citrus, or Black Cherry are blended in for consistency.
4. The mix is portioned into slim or mini pouches and sealed.

This process ensures that ZYN pouches contain no tobacco, making them fully compliant with the UK’s “tobacco-free” nicotine standards. Both the Swedish and U.S. factories follow strict environmental goals — including reduced emissions and recyclable packaging.

Read our guide: The Best ZYN Alternatives in UK

Are ZYN Pouches in the UK Made in Sweden?

Most ZYN products available in the UK are produced in Sweden, reflecting their Scandinavian heritage. Sweden remains the centre for flavour innovation, with new releases often appearing there before reaching other regions.

Recent European-exclusive flavours include ZYN Coffee, ZYN Guava Spice, and ZYN Peach, while UK customers tend to prefer classic options like ZYN Cool Mint and ZYN Citrus.

The Swedish manufacturing process ensures that all European ZYN variants meet EU and UK regulations, especially those concerning maximum nicotine strength.

Leading Nicotine Pouch Brands in the UK

As ZYN continues to dominate global sales, several brands have established themselves as serious competitors in the UK market. Here’s how they compare:

ZYN Nicotine Pouches

Known for their clean design and consistent quality, ZYN offers 3 mg and 6 mg strengths across flavours such as Black Cherry, Apple Mint, and Citrus. Their minimalist packaging and balanced flavour profiles have made them a top choice for both new and experienced users.

VELO Nicotine Pouches

Produced by British American Tobacco (BAT), VELO Nicotine Pouches is one of ZYN’s biggest rivals. Available in slim format, VELO offers a range of strengths from 4 mg up to 17 mg (depending on the region). Flavours like VELO Polar Mint, Crisp White, and Berry Frost are particularly popular in the UK, known for their strong cooling effects and sleek packaging.

VELO is also expanding into “Ultra” categories, appealing to users seeking higher intensity and longer-lasting flavour.

White Fox Nicotine Pouches

White Fox nicotine pouches, produced by GN Tobacco, is a Swedish premium brand known for its powerful nicotine delivery and icy mint flavours. Products like White Fox Full Charge and White Fox Double Mint are favourites among UK consumers who prefer a stronger kick.

The brand’s signature features include extra-slim pouches and a high moisture content for a faster release of flavour and nicotine. White Fox stands out as one of the few brands that combine strong nicotine levels with Scandinavian quality.

White Gold Nicotine Pouches

White Gold nicotine pouches are quickly emerging as a favourite among the Nicotine Pouches UK users looking for balance between flavour and strength. Known for its luxurious branding and smooth taste, White Gold offers flavours like Ice Mint, Frosty Grape, and Raspberry Chill.

These pouches come in discreet, all-white formats, designed for comfort and minimal drip. White Gold’s focus on premium presentation and consistent delivery positions it as a top choice for everyday users who value both flavour and design.

Read our guide: What happens if you swallow a ZYN?

Sustainability and Innovation

Across all major brands — ZYN, VELO, White Fox, and White Gold — sustainability has become a key focus. Swedish and UK-based manufacturers are adopting recyclable cans, energy-efficient production, and plant-based materials.

White Gold and Helwit, for instance, use biomass energy and recycled packaging, while ZYN’s modular pouch design reduces shipping weight and waste. These steps reflect the growing demand for environmentally responsible nicotine alternatives in Europe.

Summary

Nicotine pouches are reshaping how people experience nicotine, offering a smokeless, tobacco-free, and discreet option. ZYN, born in Sweden and now produced in both Sweden and the U.S., remains a leader in innovation and quality. Its Swedish roots continue to influence the pouch market across Europe and the UK.

Meanwhile, brands like VELO, White Fox, and White Gold have expanded the market with diverse flavours, strengths, and sustainable packaging.

As the UK nicotine pouch scene continues to grow, understanding where your pouches come from — and how they differ — helps consumers make informed choices based on quality, flavour, and brand ethos.