PE sacks and bags market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish market for PE sacks and bags was shaped from 2018 by the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 2018/852, which set requirements for waste prevention and increased recycling. Combined with shifting consumer preferences towards sustainability, this supported market growth to $114.5 million in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains, while environmental reports highlighted the impact of polyethylene bags, leading the market to stabilize at $112.8 million.

A stronger focus on the circular economy and the emergence of new segments like food and chemical packaging drove market expansion to $117.6 million in 2021. Growth continued to $123.0 million in 2022, as companies invested in sustainable materials such as bioplastics following the announcement of extended producer responsibility for packaging from 2025.

From 2023, active efforts by Danish companies to reduce plastic packaging usage, fueled by global concerns over plastic pollution and e‑commerce demand for sustainable shipping materials, led to a marked contraction. The market fell to $112.7 million in 2023 and further to $100.3 million in 2024. Regulatory pressure, including the EU’s 50% plastic packaging recycling target and the implementation of extended producer responsibility in 2025, accelerated the shift toward bio‑based and biodegradable alternatives.

Production PE sacks and bags in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Production of PE sacks and bags in Denmark has declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 39 550 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.3% decrease compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 13.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.8%. The peak was reached in 2019, with production valued at 46 900 thousand US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 2.3%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Production of PE sacks and bags in Denmark has dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Denmark produced 15 310 tonnes of PE sacks and bags, representing a 30.0% year-over-year decline. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 27.7%, averaging an annualized reduction of 10.2%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 23 282 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports PE sacks and bags from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

Denmark exported 13 464 tonnes of PE sacks and bags in 2021, a 7.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 12 481 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 14 535 tonnes. The most significant decline was in 2020, dropping by 14.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Norway, Sweden, and Germany were the primary markets for Denmark's exports of PE sacks and bags in volume terms. Norway accounted for 32.1% of exports, Sweden for 21.8%, and Germany for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 65.1% 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, M $ US

After two years of decline, exports of PE sacks and bags from Denmark increased in 2021. The country exported 51.0 million US dollars worth of these goods, a 25.2% rise compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 40.8 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 8.8%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Norway, Sweden, and Germany were the main destinations for Denmark's exports of PE sacks and bags in value terms. Norway accounted for 32.6% of exports, Sweden for 18.5%, and Germany for 9.2%. Collectively, these three markets absorbed 60.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports PE sacks and bags to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

Imports of PE sacks and bags into Denmark have risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 50 219 tonnes, showing a moderate increase of 9.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 41 929 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest decline of 8.7%.

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

Over the 2018-2021 period, Germany, China, and Vietnam were the largest suppliers of PE sacks and bags to Denmark in volume terms, though they did not dominate the market. Germany accounted for 21.1% of imports, China for 15.7%, and Vietnam for 12.7%. Together, these three countries made up 49.4% of total imports, with many smaller partners contributing the remainder.

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, M $ US

Following a two-year drop, imports of PE sacks and bags into Denmark rebounded in 2021. Denmark imported 129.1 million US dollars worth of these goods, a robust gain of 18.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 109.0 million US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2019, decreasing by 2.7%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, imports of PE sacks and bags into Denmark in value terms were distributed across numerous countries. Germany accounted for 23.0% of imports, China for 14.0%, and Sweden for 9.6%. These three countries together represented only 46.5% of total import flows, indicating a diverse supplier base.

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

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