Chemical wood pulp market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chemical wood pulp in Finland stood at 2 160 million US dollars in 2018, a year when the broader forest industry faced significant challenges due to declining demand for printing paper, though new demand emerged for packaging materials. By 2019, the market contracted to 1 811 million US dollars amid a reported difficult market situation for pulp. This downward trend continued, with the market volume falling further to 1 324 million US dollars in 2020.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with the market size rebounding to 1 964 million US dollars. It then stabilized in 2022 at 1 965 million US dollars, a period that saw Spinnova begin using FSC-certified wood pulp for textile materials and strengthen collaboration with Lenzing, supporting demand for pulp in new high-value applications.

After a decline to 1 228 million US dollars in 2023, the market grew to 1 576 million US dollars in 2024. This increase coincided with the opening of Nordic Bioproducts Group's new biorefinery in Lappeenranta, specializing in microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) for pharmaceutical use, alongside active product development including more environmentally friendly cellulose modification methods and a stable market environment with moderate raw material prices.

Production chemical wood pulp in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's chemical wood pulp production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 3 200 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 22.4% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 791 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Finland ranked 8th globally in chemical wood pulp production.

Top producers of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of chemical wood pulp, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Finland's chemical wood pulp production volume declined. In 2020, the country produced 6 134 thousand tonnes, which is 7.7% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 6 649 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.2%.

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

Exports chemical wood pulp from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 719 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 3 940 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.3-fold difference. In 2020, Finland exported 3 940 thousand tonnes of chemical wood pulp, a substantial increase of 129.2% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 54.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Italy remained the primary buyers of chemical wood pulp from Finland. China accounted for 43.9% of exports in volume, Germany for 11.5%, and Italy for 6.0%. Together, these three countries made up 61.3% of Finland's total exports in kind.

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, M $ US

Finland's chemical wood pulp exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 989 million US dollars, down 21.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 983 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 42.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Italy continued to be the main buyers of chemical wood pulp from Finland in value terms. China represented 38.5% of exports, Germany 12.5%, and Italy 7.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 58.4% of Finland's total export value.

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

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

Imports chemical wood pulp to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 18 thousand tonnes and reached their peak in 2018 at 477 thousand tonnes, a 26-fold difference. In 2020, Finland imported 214 thousand tonnes of chemical wood pulp, a dramatic rise of 1,066.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 96.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the dominant source for Finland's chemical wood pulp imports in volume, holding a 71.2% share of total flows. The remainder was distributed across various other markets.

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, M $ US

Finland's chemical wood pulp imports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume stood at 114 million US dollars, a sharp reduction of 49.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 59.1%, with an average annual decline of 25.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 352 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the key supplier of chemical wood pulp to Finland, accounting for 72.6% of total imports in value terms. The remaining share was spread among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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