Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish market for plastic bottles and similar articles generally contracted in value from US$159.6 million in 2018 to US$102.3 million in 2023, before growing to US$110.5 million in 2024. This extended decline was partly influenced by an industry-wide shift toward environmentally friendly packaging materials and designs that began gaining momentum around 2018, encouraging the use of reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable alternatives which reduced reliance on conventional plastic.

The market contraction accelerated following the introduction of new producer responsibility regulations in 2022, which mandated that single-use PET bottles contain at least 25% recycled plastic. This rule directly reduced demand for virgin plastic resin. Simultaneously, the national implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive pushed recycling rates for plastic packaging to about 39% by 2023, further displacing the need for new plastic production and imports.

Market value rebounded in 2024, driven by regulatory adaptation and rising demand for circular solutions. New rules requiring attached caps on beverage containers from July 2024 and the expansion of nationwide collection points for packaging waste stimulated investment. Furthermore, a 20% annual increase in plastic packaging recycling volume and strong demand from the food, beverage, and consumer goods industries for recycled plastic granules supported growth, as consumer preferences continued to shift toward sustainable materials.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sweden's production of plastic bottles and similar articles saw a modest recovery in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The output value reached 82 820 thousand US dollars, marking a slight increase of 1.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 13.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.8%. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 81 466 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 9.5% decrease.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes for plastic bottles and similar articles from Sweden have shown significant volatility over the years. In 2020, exports totaled 30 176 tonnes, representing a dramatic surge of 175.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, with exports in 2020 being 3.1 times higher than that level. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Denmark, and Finland consistently dominated Sweden's export structure for plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms. Norway accounted for 33.9% of exports, Denmark for 29.2%, and Finland for 18.8%. Together, these three countries represented 81.8% of Sweden's total export flows 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, M $ US

Sweden's export value for plastic bottles and similar articles reached 80.4 million US dollars in 2020, showing a substantial increase of 69.5% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 57%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 47.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.3%.

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

In value terms, Norway, Denmark, and Finland maintained their leading positions in Sweden's export structure for plastic bottles and similar articles from 2017 to 2020. Norway accounted for 33.0% of export value, Denmark for 24.1%, and Finland for 18.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 75.7% of Sweden's 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 plastic bottles and similar articles to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms reached 38 501 tonnes in 2020, representing a 14.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 45.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 8.5% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 38.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Lithuania, and Germany were the primary sources for Sweden's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms. Norway accounted for 30.9% of imports, Lithuania for 23.9%, and Germany for 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 71.8% of Sweden's total import volumes during this period.

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, M $ US

Sweden imported plastic bottles and similar articles worth 129.0 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 133.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, Germany, and Lithuania remained Sweden's main suppliers of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms. Norway accounted for 32.2% of import value, Germany for 18.7%, and Lithuania for 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.5% of Sweden's total import value during this timeframe.

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

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