Paper and paperboard waste market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish paper and paperboard waste market contracted significantly from 1.2 million tons in 2018 to 781 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was initially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused temporary mill closures and disrupted supply chains. More fundamentally, digitalization reduced demand for graphic paper, prompting a shift towards packaging production. However, this structural change did not offset the overall drop in market volume.

Market shrinkage continued from 2021 to 2023, falling to 661 thousand tons. High energy costs and an unfavorable economic environment dampened consumption. Sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine constrained raw material supply, particularly after the FSC's decision to exclude wood from Russia and Belarus. Despite these challenges, several Swedish mills reported record profits in 2022, supported by strong export demand and adaptation to new EU packaging regulations that boosted corrugated board use for e-commerce.

Throughout the period, the industry's focus remained on circularity, with paper packaging recycling rates reaching 99%. The persistent decline in market size reflects broader trends such as digital substitution for graphic paper and global competitive pressures, even as production pivoted toward packaging grades.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Sweden ranked as the 27th largest producer of paper and paperboard waste between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

Sweden's production of paper and paperboard waste fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 925 K t, marking a significant year-on-year decline of 18.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's paper and paperboard waste production volume continued its downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 117.6 M $ US, representing a 15.8% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 41.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.5%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Sweden exported 417.4 K t of paper and paperboard waste, a 6.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland were the top destinations for Sweden's paper and paperboard waste exports in kind, accounting for 37.2%, 20.4%, and 15.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 72.6% 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

The volume of paper and paperboard waste leaving Sweden declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 53 076 K $ US, a modest 4.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 32.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy were the leading markets for Sweden's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 58.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's imports of paper and paperboard waste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 273.9 K t, down 29.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 452.5 K t, following a 13.5% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard waste to Sweden in kind, with shares of 48.6%, 19.6%, and 8.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 77.1% of total imports.

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 paper and paperboard waste import volume fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 32 059 K $ US, a sharp 39.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 52.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Norway, Denmark, and Germany played key roles in Sweden's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms, accounting for 44.6%, 24.2%, and 8.7% of imports, respectively. Combined, they represented 77.5% of total import flows.

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

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