Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles in Finland expanded from 68.4 million $ in 2018 to 99.5 million $ by 2022. This growth was supported by regulatory developments, such as the 2018 decree on storage programs for plastic caps and closures and the updated dangerous goods transport regulations (VAK), which mandated certified and compliant containers for hazardous substances, stimulating demand for quality packaging. Additionally, a trend towards lighter and bio-based materials in food packaging emerged in 2021, encouraging producers to innovate and likely contributing to market expansion.

Market volume then contracted to 91.6 million $ in 2023 and further to 88.2 million $ in 2024. This decline coincided with significant regulatory tightening. In 2023, preparations began to reform legislation on the transport of dangerous substances for defense and border guard authorities, creating uncertainty for packaging manufacturers. Subsequently, in 2024, new EU rules came into force, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) which bans certain single-use plastic packaging and requires attached caps, alongside an updated producer responsibility scheme that extended obligations to smaller companies. These changes increased costs and operational complexity, leading to a market correction.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's production of plastic bottles and similar articles rebounded after two consecutive years of decline. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 26 156 thousand US dollars, but then surged by 19.6% in 2020 to reach 31 276 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.8% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 18.9%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The data shows highly irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2019, exports hit their lowest level at just 16 tonnes, representing a dramatic 98.9% decline. However, in 2020, exports skyrocketed to 1 537 tonnes - an extraordinary increase of 9,742.3% compared to the previous year. The period from 2017 to 2019 saw extreme volatility, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 125 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden dominated as the primary destination for Finland's plastic bottle exports in volume terms, accounting for 75.0% of total exports. Other countries shared the remaining 25.0% of export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of contraction, Finland's plastic bottle exports in value terms showed renewed growth. In 2019, export value reached its minimum at 5 749 thousand US dollars, but then increased by 8.9% in 2020 to reach 6 260 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 29.3% overall, with an average annual decline of 10.9%. The most substantial drop occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 30.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Sweden, Estonia, and Norway consistently served as the main destinations for Finland's plastic bottle exports in value terms. Sweden accounted for 65.2% of export value, Estonia for 10.2%, and Norway for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented 79.4% of Finland's total plastic bottle export value.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The import market demonstrated significant volatility throughout the observed period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at just 93 tonnes, marking a dramatic 99.3% decline. However, in 2020, imports surged to 16 222 tonnes - an extraordinary increase of 17,434.0% compared to the previous year. The variation between the 2019 minimum and 2020 maximum represented a 175-fold difference.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania remained the primary source of plastic bottle imports to Finland in volume terms, accounting for 70.9% of total imports. The remaining 29.1% of import volumes were distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Finland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Finland's plastic bottle imports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 54 149 thousand US dollars, representing a 4.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 22.7% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Lithuania, Germany, and Sweden were the most significant sources of plastic bottle imports to Finland in value terms. Lithuania accounted for 44.4% of import value, Germany for 10.1%, and Sweden for 8.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 63.3% of Finland's total plastic bottle import value.

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

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