Glass containers and closures market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish market for glass containers and closures expanded from 71.7 million US dollars in 2018 to 88.7 million in 2021. Growth was supported by the expansion of the national deposit-return scheme, which began including fruit juice bottles in 2020, increasing the volume of glass containers in the circular system. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 heightened focus on hygiene and reusable packaging, further favoring glass. By 2021, the industry's increased use of recycled glass (cullet) in production helped reduce costs and supported output, aligning with consumer demand for sustainable packaging.

Market growth continued, reaching 120.8 million US dollars by 2024. The implementation of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2022 explicitly favored reusable and recyclable materials like glass. A significant capacity boost came in 2023 with the installation of advanced MAGMA glass manufacturing technology at the O-I Glass plant in Holmegaard, enhancing production efficiency to meet rising demand. The regulatory landscape evolved further with preparations for Denmark's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging, scheduled to take effect in October 2025, which is reshaping industry responsibilities around collection and recycling.

Production glass containers and closures in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Denmark's production of glass containers and closures has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 87 715 thousand US dollars, marking a strong 10.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 79 000 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.1% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports glass containers and closures from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Denmark's exports of glass containers and closures have rebounded. In 2021, exports totaled 75.4 thousand tonnes, up 11.4% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 67.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Norway, and Germany were the key partners for Denmark's exports of glass containers and closures by volume. Sweden accounted for 61.2% of exports, Norway for 13.6%, and Germany for 9.3%. Together, these three countries represented 84.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decrease, Denmark's exports of glass containers and closures have increased. In 2021, exports were valued at 54 156 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 11.7% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest export value was recorded in 2020 at 48 492 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden, Norway, and Germany formed the core of Denmark's exports of glass containers and closures by value. Sweden contributed 54.7% of export value, Norway 16.0%, and Germany 7.3%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 78.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports glass containers and closures to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

The market for imports of glass containers and closures into Denmark showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest import volume was in 2018, while the highest was in 2019, with a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports stood at 68.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 74.8% compared to the previous year. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 298.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 432.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden dominated Denmark's imports of glass containers and closures by volume, accounting for 70.5% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Denmark's imports of glass containers and closures have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were recorded at 55 147 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 25.1% improvement year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 27.1%, equating to an average annual rate of 8.3%. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 41 800 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and Poland were the key markets for Denmark's imports of glass containers and closures by value. Germany accounted for 35.8% of import value, Sweden for 17.9%, and Poland for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 65.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021