Plastic closures market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The Finnish market for plastic closures saw considerable variation from 2018 to 2024. Market size declined to 39.4 million USD in 2019 but then entered a period of sustained growth, peaking at 55.7 million USD in 2022. This expansion was supported by rising domestic production, which more than doubled from its 2019 low, alongside growing imports. The trend reversed in 2023, with the market contracting to 51.6 million USD.

In 2024, the market was directly shaped by the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandated that plastic bottle caps remain attached to containers from July 2024. This rule forced major beverage packagers like Valio to modify packaging lines and update recycling instructions, impacting production logistics and costs. Simultaneously, global disruptions including the war in Ukraine and high energy costs affected the price and supply of plastic raw materials in Finland, adding to market pressures.

Production plastic closures in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's plastic closures production increased after two years of decline. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 6 973 K $ US, with the largest decline of 8.7% recorded that year. By 2020, production rebounded strongly to 8 175 K $ US, marking a solid 17.2% increase compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of falling output, plastic closures production in Finland increased. In 2019, production hit its minimum at 1 028 t, following the largest decline of 12.1% in 2018. In 2020, output rose to 1 231 t, representing a 19.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports plastic closures from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of plastic closures from Finland increased after two years of decline. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 1 229 t, with the largest decline of 19.1% recorded that year. By 2020, exports surged to 1 558 t, showing an intense 26.8% advance compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Denmark, and Russia were the three main markets for Finland's plastic closures exports in volume terms, together accounting for 82.2% of total exports.

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

Exported plastic closures volumes from Finland increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 330 K $ US, representing a 3.5% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 8.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Russia, and Denmark were the three main markets for Finland's plastic closures exports in value terms, together absorbing 73.6% of total exports.

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 closures to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of plastic closures into Finland showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 819 t, with the largest decline of 89.2% recorded that year. By 2020, imports surged to 7 646 t, up by 833.9% year-over-year, reflecting a 9.3-fold gap between the two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (18.1% of import volume), Sweden (17.4%), and Lithuania (11.0%) were the largest suppliers of plastic closures to Finland. However, their combined contribution was limited to 46.6% of total imports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

In 2020, foreign supplies of plastic closures to Finland amounted to 46 684 K $ US, which is 7.7% above the 2019 level. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany (18.4% of import value), Sweden (17.0%), and France (8.9%) were important suppliers of plastic closures to Finland. Their combined share reached only 44.3% of total imports in value terms, with the remaining 55.7% distributed among many other partners.

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

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