Not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Swedish market for non-reinforced or laminated non-cellular polystyrene sheets experienced notable fluctuations in volume, reaching peaks of 14 542 t in 2019 and 14 343 t in 2022 before declining to 12 107 t by 2024. Regulatory pressures from both Swedish authorities like Naturvårdsverket and the EU, focusing on biobased carbon content and microplastic management, combined with a broader industry shift toward sustainable packaging, drove demand changes. This was evident in the increased use of combined materials such as paper and plastic to reduce pure plastic consumption, directly affecting polystyrene demand.

Substantial investments in recycling infrastructure, including the launch of the Site Zero facility in 2021 and record plastic packaging recycling exceeding 30 000 t in 2024, expanded the supply of recycled raw materials. This growth in circular economy capacity supported market volume during periods like 2022, when infrastructure expansion coincided with a rebound, while also gradually reducing reliance on virgin polystyrene production over the period.

The market continued to evolve through material innovations, such as the adoption of hybrid materials and nanostructured polymers, alongside stricter safety and labeling requirements. These technological advances, coupled with the stable presence of major industry players like Indutrade, contributed to ongoing structural adjustments within the market, even as overall volume trended downward in the later years.

Production not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sweden's production of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 26 628 K $ US, marking a 2.5% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 5.7%. The peak production value occurred in 2018 at 32 409 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.2% also recorded that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant drop, with production falling by 15.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Sweden's production of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11 031 tonnes, representing a modest decrease of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 17.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.2%.

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

Exports not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Sweden's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets increased in 2020. That year, exports amounted to 2 040 tonnes, reflecting a 5.2% rise compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall decreased by 9.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 939 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom were the main destinations for Sweden's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets. Norway accounted for 65.2% of exports in kind, Denmark for 7.7%, and the United Kingdom for 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented 80.1% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

Following a two-year decline, Sweden's export value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets increased in 2020. Exports that year totaled 7 267 K $ US, showing a modest uptick of 9.9% compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 2.4% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.8%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 6 614 K $ US, which also experienced the largest year-on-year decline of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Finland were the top buyers of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets from Sweden in value terms. Norway led with 61.0% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 12.3%, and Finland at 8.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 81.6% of total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

The import market for not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets in Sweden showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 4 525 tonnes, marking a limited decrease of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 827 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 72.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets to Sweden were distributed across many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Germany, Finland, and Belgium—together represented only 49.2% of total imports in kind, highlighting the diversity of supply sources.

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

After two years of growth, Sweden's import value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets declined in 2020. Imports that year were recorded at 15 751 K $ US, indicating a moderate reduction of 5.8% compared to 2019. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 34%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3%. The peak import value occurred in 2019 at 16 725 K $ US, which also experienced the largest year-on-year increase of 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 21.5% of imports, Finland for 13.6%, and Belgium for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 47.4% of total import flows, underscoring the fragmented nature of the import market.

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

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