Breathing appliances and gas masks market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Swedish market for breathing appliances and gas masks was characterized by stable regulatory conditions with no significant legislative changes. Established players like 3M and SES Protection dominated, focusing on certified products for protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Consumer preferences shifted towards reusable full- and half-masks with replaceable filters for better comfort and protection, particularly in industrial and construction sectors. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to increased demand for respiratory protection, especially in healthcare and industry, which drove imports up to USD 18.0 million and exports to USD 29.3 million that year.

In the following years, product development continued with a focus on interchangeable filters, improved ergonomics, and combined filters for enhanced user comfort and protection. The market remained stable with no major new entrants or regulatory shifts. However, data shows a contraction in the domestic market size to only USD 0.2 million in 2021, as high exports of USD 28.1 million outweighed domestic production and imports. By 2022, exports decreased to USD 16.1 million while imports stabilized around USD 11.6 million, indicating a rebalancing of trade flows.

By 2023-2024, the domestic market size expanded significantly to USD 7.0 million and then to USD 10.0 million. This growth was accompanied by a recovery in production to USD 12.8 million in 2024 and increased imports of USD 14.7 million, suggesting sustained demand for breathing protection equipment in Sweden.

Production breathing appliances and gas masks in Sweden

According to Faostat, there is no production of breathing appliances and gas masks in Sweden.

Exports breathing appliances and gas masks from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of breathing appliances and gas masks have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 430.0 t, representing a 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 38.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 298.2 t, which marked the largest decline of 3.8% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 27.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Finland, and Australia were the main destinations for Sweden's exports of breathing appliances and gas masks in kind. Norway accounted for 21.0% of exports, Finland for 18.8%, and Australia for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 51.7% of total exports in kind during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's export value of breathing appliances and gas masks has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 29 325 K $ US, which is 36.3% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 40.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 19 119 K $ US, when exports saw the largest decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden's exports of breathing appliances and gas masks in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Finland accounted for 16.0% of export value, Norway for 14.3%, and Germany for 12.8%. Combined, these three countries represented only 43.1% of total export flows in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sweden in value, 2017-2020

Imports breathing appliances and gas masks to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of breathing appliances and gas masks in kind saw a sharp rise in 2020, reaching 241.1 t, which is 32.9% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 181.4 t, when imports experienced the largest decline of 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Lithuania were the primary sources for Sweden's imports of breathing appliances and gas masks in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 34.9% of imports, Germany for 28.0%, and Lithuania for 8.6%. Together, these three countries made up 71.5% of total import flows in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Sweden's import value of breathing appliances and gas masks increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 17 955 K $ US, marking a sharp uptick of 52.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 8.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 815 K $ US, when imports saw the largest decline of 23.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Lithuania formed the key group of partners for Sweden's imports of breathing appliances and gas masks in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 31.9% of import value, Germany for 24.1%, and Lithuania for 13.9%. Jointly, these three countries represented 70.0% of total import flows in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sweden in value, 2017-2020