Builders’ wares of plastics market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic builders' wares in Finland stood at 141.5 million US dollars in 2018, with the industry supported by a revision of moisture regulations in the Finnish Building Code that affected the use of plastics in moisture control. Market size dipped to 131.3 million in 2019 before recovering to 143.0 million in 2020. By 2021, the market expanded to 156.0 million, a peak for the period, as the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (2018/852) altered recycling targets and prompted preparatory work for ambitious circular economy goals in the construction plastics sector.

In 2022, the introduction of extended producer responsibility for single-use plastic products under Finland's waste law change increased obligations for manufacturers and importers, coinciding with a market contraction to 141.5 million. The following year, market value rose to 146.6 million despite a weakening construction sector, largely driven by raw material price increases and supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East crisis. By 2024, the new Construction Act came into force, emphasizing climate change mitigation and digitalization, while public procurement criteria in Espoo aimed at boosting recycled content. However, the market declined to 135.3 million as construction material prices fell and labor costs rose, leading to cautious industry sentiment despite some quarterly growth in construction volume.

Production plastic builders’ wares in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Finland's production of builders' wares of plastics was valued at 150.8 million US dollars, marking a 5.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Finland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports plastic builders’ wares from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, Finland's exports of builders' wares of plastics reached their lowest point at 2,092 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 5,687 tonnes, representing a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports stood at 5,533 tonnes, indicating a substantial increase of 164.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 63.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark were among the largest buyers of builders' wares of plastics from Finland, accounting for 27.4%, 11.4%, and 11.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 49.9% of total exports in kind, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Finland's exports of builders' wares of plastics in value terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 52,807 thousand US dollars, up by 4.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 12.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Finland's exports of builders' wares of plastics in value terms was quite broad. Sweden, Russia, and Denmark accounted for 23.6%, 10.2%, and 9.9% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, these three countries represented only 43.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports plastic builders’ wares to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, imports of builders' wares of plastics into Finland reached their lowest point at 1,324 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 9,781 tonnes, resulting in a 7.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 9,762 tonnes, showing a dramatic increase of 637.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 86.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Sweden, and Norway were the primary suppliers of builders' wares of plastics to Finland, accounting for 40.1%, 12.1%, and 9.7% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 61.9% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland imported builders' wares of plastics valued at 44,985 thousand US dollars, up by 14.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 45,805 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 14.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 17.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Sweden, and Norway were the main markets for Finland's imports of builders' wares of plastics in value terms, accounting for 30.0%, 13.3%, and 7.2% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.4% of total import flows.

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

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