Where is ZYN Made?
Introduction
The rise of nicotine pouches is transforming the tobacco‑free nicotine market. These discrete pouches provide a smokeless way to enjoy nicotine and have exploded in popularity in recent years. For example, a 2024 Johns Hopkins University report noted that sales of nicotine pouches in the United States climbed from 126 million units between August and December 2019 to more than 808 million units between January and March 2022. This surge has prompted curiosity about where leading brands like ZYN are manufactured and how they differ from competitors. This article explores the origins of ZYN, traces its journey from Sweden to the United States, and compares ZYN’s production and flavors with other popular brands. It also touches briefly on how these products fit into the broader nicotine‑pouch market. MyNicco appears in this article simply to contextualize the discussion and is mentioned only once.
Where is ZYN Made?
Swedish origins
ZYN is rooted in Sweden. The product was developed by Swedish Match, a company with decades of experience producing snus and other oral tobacco products. When ZYN launched in 2016 it entered both the Swedish and US markets simultaneously, offering a tobacco‑free alternative to traditional snus.
Initial production took place at Swedish Match’s facilities in Sweden, where expertise in portioned snus allowed the company to refine the formula and packaging for ZYN’s all‑white pouches. Sweden remains an important production hub for ZYN; Swedish factories continue to supply markets across Scandinavia and Europe with a range of flavours and strengths designed for local preferences.
Read our guide: ZYN Rewards – What You Need To Know (2025)
Manufacturing in the United States
Consumer demand in North America quickly outpaced Swedish Match’s European manufacturing capacity. To supply the booming US market, the company invested heavily in a production facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. Between 2017 and 2019 Swedish Match expanded this plant, investing $115 million in new buildings and machinery. When the expansion opened in May 2019, it became ZYN’s primary North American production hub.
Read our guide: The ZYN Shortage – Affecting Consumers
Manufacturing process and sustainability
ZYN pouches are made using a specialised process that ensures consistent quality. It begins with a base of microcrystalline cellulose derived from plant fibres, which is processed into a soft, uniform material. Nicotine salt is then added in precise amounts to achieve the desired strength. Flavours—such as mint, citrus or coffee—are blended into the mixture before it is portioned and sealed in small pouches.
This process eliminates tobacco leaves entirely, so ZYN products are classified as “tobacco free.” While the Kentucky factory handles most of the production for the US market, Swedish facilities continue to produce ZYN pouches for European consumers. Environmental sustainability is a growing priority: Swedish Match has publicly committed to reducing carbon emissions in its supply chain and packaging, and the modular nature of ZYN pouches makes them easy to transport efficiently.
Read our guide: What Is ZYN Used for
Are Zyns from Sweden?
Many consumers assume that ZYN pouches sold in the United States are imported directly from Sweden. In reality, the brand’s Swedish heritage informs its flavours and design, but most cans sold in the US are produced domestically.
The Owensboro plant now supplies the majority of ZYN products for North America. However, Sweden remains a key innovation centre. New flavours are often developed and tested there before being released globally. Swedish Match continues to manufacture ZYN for the Scandinavian market, including unique variants that reflect regional tastes. For example, some Nordic flavours emphasise bold peppermint or citrus notes, while Swedish releases like “ZYN Coffee” and “ZYN Guava Spice” (rebranded from Espressino and Chili Guava) cater to local preferences. Swedish manufacturing also ensures that ZYN sold in Europe complies with the European Union’s strict regulations on nicotine strength and ingredients.
Read our guide: Is ZYN Swedish?
Popular Nicotine Pouch Brands and Flavours
Nicotine pouches have diversified rapidly, and each major brand offers its own strengths and flavour selections. Below we summarise ZYN alongside three other leading brands—VELO, XPCT and Helwit—highlighting some of their most popular products. These summaries are based on publicly available product descriptions and packaging information.
Read our guide: The Top Nicotine Pouches in the U.S.
ZYN pouches
ZYN is known for a clean, all‑white pouch and a wide range of flavours. In the United States, ZYN offers strengths of 3 mg or 6 mg per pouch. ZYN Black Cherry combines sweet cherry with subtle berry undertones, providing a fruity alternative to mint flavours. ZYN Apple features a crisp apple taste that appeals to users who prefer a slightly tart profile, while ZYN Citrus blends lemon and lime for a refreshing, tangy kick. In Sweden, some of the more popular ZYN flavors include “ZYN Coffee” (formerly Espressino), “ZYN Peach” (formerly Bellini) and Blackcurrant Ice,” reflecting local naming conventions. Each flavour is available in mini or slim formats, designed to fit discreetly under the lip.
Read our guide: Black Cherry ZYN – What Is The Hype
Read Our Guide: New ZYN Flavors – A 2025 Breakdown
VELO nicotine pouches
VELO, produced by BAT (British American Tobacco), is one of ZYN’s main competitors. VELO pouches are available in slim format and offer strengths ranging from 2 mg to 17 mg per pouch, depending on the market. VELO Freezing Peppermint is an extra‑strong mint flavour that combines peppermint with cooling menthol for an intense sensory experience. VELO Crispy Peppermint offers a slightly milder peppermint flavour with a crisp finish. VELO’s portfolio also includes fruit‑forward options like Berry Frost and Citrus Burst, and the brand focuses on sleek packaging and consistent portion size. VELO pouches sold in the UK and Europe are often labelled as “nicotine pouches,” while US offerings emphasise the brand’s tobacco‑free nature.
Read our guide: VELO VS ZYN
XPCT nicotine pouches
XPCT is a newer entrant that has gained attention for its larger “Mega Can” format, which contains more pouches than standard cans. The XPCT Mint Mega Can features a classic mint flavour in a slim pouch, with a nicotine strength intended for experienced users. XPCT markets its products as value‑oriented, appealing to consumers who want more pouches per purchase. While XPCT’s flavour range is smaller than ZYN’s, it includes mint, berry and citrus options, and the brand emphasises consistent nicotine delivery.
Helwit nicotine pouches
Helwit is a Scandinavian brand known for unique flavour combinations and a focus on sustainability. Helwit Blueberry delivers a sweet yet slightly tart blueberry flavour, while Helwit Mocha blends coffee and chocolate notes for a rich taste. Helwit Banana offers an unusual banana‑infused profile that appeals to adventurous users. Helwit pouches typically come in slim format with strengths around 4.5 mg per pouch and are packaged in recyclable cans. The brand positions itself as environmentally conscious, using biomass‑powered production and aiming to reduce carbon emissions across its supply chain.
Read our guide: Helwit Pouches – A Complete Breakdown
Summary
Nicotine pouches have rapidly grown in popularity, with U.S. sales jumping from 126 million units to over 808 million units between 2019 and 2022. ZYN, developed by Swedish Match, started production in Sweden before expanding manufacturing to a dedicated facility in Owensboro, Kentucky. The Kentucky plant, expanded with a $115 million investment, now produces the majority of ZYN cans for North America. Swedish factories continue to supply Europe and support flavour development, ensuring that ZYN retains its Scandinavian identity. Popular ZYN flavours include Black Cherry, Apple and Citrus, while competitors like VELO, XPCT and Helwit offer their own signature options such as Freezing Peppermint, Mint Mega Can and Blueberry. As demand for nicotine pouches continues to rise, understanding where products are manufactured and how brands differ helps consumers make informed c
