Carbonates and percarbonates market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish carbonates and percarbonates market experienced a substantial decline in physical volume from 2020 to 2023. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reduced industrial production and maintenance activities, leading to a sharp fall in output and weaker demand across chemical and related sectors.

This downward trend in volume continued into 2023, driven by industry-wide efforts to improve energy efficiency and shift away from fossil fuels. These measures lowered emissions from mineral processing and other industrial activities, which decreased the consumption of carbonate-based products. Imports also followed a declining trajectory, reflecting the overall contraction in domestic market volume.

Despite the falling volume, the market's value in monetary terms grew from $65.5 million in 2020 to $75.5 million in 2023. By 2024, new dynamics emerged as Sweden lowered its reduction obligation for transport fuels, increasing fossil fuel use, while global energy price fluctuations began affecting production costs and market structure.

Production carbonates and percarbonates in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Annual dynamics of production in Sweden in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports carbonates and percarbonates from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's exports of carbonates and percarbonates have been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country exported 21.7 K t of these products, which represents a 4.9% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 80.6%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 42.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden's exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Poland accounted for 22.8% of these exports, Germany for 15.0%, and Belgium for 6.9%. Together, these three countries made up 44.6% of total flows, while the remaining 55.4% was spread among numerous smaller markets.

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

After two years of decline, Sweden's exports of carbonates and percarbonates in value terms rebounded in 2020. The country exported 45 837 K $ US worth of these products, marking a robust 11.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 46.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 41 096 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 32.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Germany, and South Korea were significant but not dominant buyers of Swedish carbonates and percarbonates in value terms. Poland held a 12.9% share of exports, Germany 10.5%, and South Korea 10.2%. Their combined share reached 33.5% of total exports 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 carbonates and percarbonates to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year drop, Sweden's imports of carbonates and percarbonates in kind increased in 2020. The import volume totaled 113.9 K t, representing a 9.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 104.1 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Poland, and the United Kingdom were the core sources for Sweden's imports in kind. Belgium contributed 23.6% of imports, Poland 23.1%, and the United Kingdom 12.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 59.0% of total import flows.

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

Sweden's imports of carbonates and percarbonates in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of value_last_year K $ US of these products, down by 11.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 47 571 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 2.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Belgium, Poland, and the United Kingdom—collectively absorbed 52.8% of Sweden's total imports in value terms for carbonates and percarbonates.

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

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