Poland has the 2 best industrial zones in Europe. Łódź SEZ highly commended in the fDi Intelligence ranking

The fDi Intelligence ranking is one of the most widely cited rankings of economic zones in the world. In the 2026 edition the judges assessed 53 industrial zones from around the world, that is zones where most tenants manufacture goods or provide logistics services. In each of the five regions (Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East) and globally, a winner and a highly commended zone were named. The global winner was Guangzhou Development District in China, and Evolution Free Zone of Costa Rica was highly commended.

• 53

  industrial zones from around the world assessed by the judges

• 2

  top places in Europe for Polish zones: Katowice SEZ and Łódź SEZ

• 5

  world regions with a separate classification

• 1997

  the year Łódź SEZ was established, one of the first zones in Poland

What the judges assessed

In the survey, zones described the benefits they offer investors: incentives, infrastructure and support, as well as strategies for attracting companies from priority sectors. The judges also asked about recent investments won, resilience to geopolitical change, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, measures for corporate governance, transparency and sustainability, and the satisfaction of companies operating in the zone.

According to fDi Markets data cited in the report, 76 per cent of the capital planned for investment in zones in 2025 concerned manufacturing, logistics, distribution and transport. Instability in global trade and supply chain disruptions make zones an increasingly frequent choice for manufacturing and logistics companies.

The judges’ reasoning for Łódź SEZ

In their reasoning the judges pointed to the zone’s location in the heart of Poland, at a major crossroads of railways and roads, and to its history: Łódź SEZ was established in 1997 as one of the first special economic zones in the country, of which 14 are now in operation. The judges were drawn to the zone’s strategy of attracting tenants into its priority sectors of electronics, logistics and white goods. As an example, the judges cited the city of Łódź joining the Semiconductor Triangle initiative alongside Wrocław and Katowice, which aims to build business and technological relations with Taiwan, share knowledge and develop a state-of-the-art semiconductor industry.

Łódź SEZ has a long history in the fDi ranking. In the 2018 edition it was ranked fourth among zones worldwide and first in Europe, and since then it has regularly been among the highest-rated zones. Over 29 years of operation, more than 820 investment projects by around 550 companies have been carried out in the ŁSSE ecosystem, with outlays exceeding PLN 35 billion, creating and sustaining more than 110,000 jobs.

Katowice SEZ the winner in Europe

The title of the best industrial zone in Europe went to the Katowice Special Economic Zone, established in 1996. The judges recognised its role in job creation and the restructuring of the economy of southern Poland, as well as its ability to adapt to geopolitical volatility: expansion into strategic and security-sensitive sectors, including hosting a production line for light armoured vehicles, and positioning the zone as a hub for investment dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The presence of two Polish zones at the top of the European classification confirms Poland’s position as one of the most important industrial locations in Europe. The Polish Investment Zone instrument, under which both zones issue support decisions, allows companies to benefit from an income tax exemption across the whole country.

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