Coachwork polishes market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Swedish coachwork polishes market experienced notable volume fluctuations, primarily driven by regulatory shifts. The introduction of a national ban on microplastics in rinse-off cosmetic products, effective from July 1, 2018 for marketing and January 1, 2019 for availability, forced industry-wide product reformulations. This initially constrained supply, contributing to a decline in market volume from 742 t in 2018 to 554 t in 2020.

Market recovery began as manufacturers adapted to the new standards and consumer demand for sustainable options grew. In 2021, the expansion of refillable and eco-friendly product lines by major players like The Body Shop and Lyko's switch to fossil-free delivery helped stimulate consumption, pushing volume up to 669 t. However, 2022 saw a temporary setback to 549 t due to stricter EU rule implementation, a ban on single-use plastics, and the reform of the Employment Protection Act (LAS), which increased compliance costs and operational complexity for producers and importers.

In the final two years, despite ongoing global logistical challenges noted in 2023, persistent demand for sustainable polishes and continued regulatory adaptation supported volume growth. The market reached 735 t in 2024, though the market value in US dollars fell sharply in 2023 and 2024, indicating significant changes in pricing or product mix alongside the volume recovery.

Production coachwork polishes in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Sweden, the production value of coachwork polishes reached 1 525 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 479 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 953 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 24.3% decrease, whereas the largest rise was in 2018, with a 5.3% increase.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Sweden's production of coachwork polishes fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 134.3 tonnes, which represents a 14.6% year-over-year decline. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 202.0 tonnes. The sharpest decline happened in 2019, with a 22.2% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 17.4% rise.

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

Exports coachwork polishes from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden's exports of coachwork polishes by volume totaled 381.0 tonnes, up 25.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 19.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 304.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were the primary markets for Sweden's coachwork polishes exports by volume. Norway accounted for 51.1% of exports, Denmark for 19.5%, and Finland for 13.3%, together making up 83.9% of total export flows.

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

In 2020, Sweden's exports of coachwork polishes by value amounted to 4 281 thousand US dollars, showing a strong 21.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 524 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were the main buyers of coachwork polishes from Sweden in value terms. Norway represented 53.2% of exports, Denmark 16.0%, and Finland 12.9%, collectively accounting for 82.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports coachwork polishes to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of coachwork polishes by volume decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 800.8 tonnes, reflecting a 5.2% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 8.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 915.0 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.7% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 5.1% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States were the main sources for Sweden's coachwork polishes imports by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 49.9% of imports, Germany for 21.3%, and the United States for 8.1%, together absorbing 79.4% 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

In 2020, Sweden's imports of coachwork polishes by value came to 5 962 thousand US dollars, representing a 17.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 25.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 7.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea were the key destinations for Sweden's coachwork polishes imports by value. The United Kingdom made up 38.5% of imports, Germany 18.6%, and South Korea 12.9%, together accounting for 70.0% of total import value.

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

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