Plastic packaging and closures market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Danish plastic packaging and closures market declined, with production falling from 621.6 million US dollars to 584.6 million US dollars. This contraction coincided with the introduction of Denmark's first plastics strategy and the implementation of extended producer responsibility rules under EU directives, which increased regulatory pressure on manufacturers. The market stabilized in 2020, partly due to the postponement of the producer responsibility register opening to 2024, which temporarily eased compliance burdens.

The market recovered sharply in 2021, reaching a size of 973.9 million US dollars, driven by a post-slump rebound in consumption and production. However, from 2022 onward, preparation for stricter EU regulations, including Denmark's agreement on extended producer responsibility for packaging and single-use plastics and the subsequent introduction of eco-modulated fees, led to a renewed decline. Production dropped to 560.5 million US dollars by 2024, and the overall market size contracted to 786.5 million US dollars.

In 2025, with extended producer responsibility for packaging and certain single-use plastic products coming into force, imports of plastic packaging rose to 781.1 million US dollars and exports reached 510.4 million US dollars. This occurred alongside the implementation of a bonus-malus fee system designed to incentivize more sustainable packaging design.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Denmark's production of plastic packaging and closures has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 681.5 million US dollars, marking a solid 16.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 9.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 583.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 6.2%.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Denmark's exports of plastic packaging and closures have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 92.0 thousand tonnes, showing a 6.0% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 11.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 78.7 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 4.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, at 10.2%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark's export partner portfolio for plastic packaging and closures in kind was quite broad. Sweden accounted for 17.3% of exports in kind, Germany for 14.0%, and Norway for 13.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 44.8% 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

Denmark's shipments of plastic packaging and closures abroad have increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports were valued at 456.7 million US dollars, up 16.0% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 363.6 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 7.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. Sweden made up 16.5% of exports in value terms, Germany 14.6%, and Norway 12.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 43.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports plastic packaging and closures to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

Denmark's imports of plastic packaging and closures have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 201.9 thousand tonnes, representing a strong 16.4% year-over-year gain. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 26.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%.

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

The country composition of Denmark's imports in kind from 2018 to 2021 was dispersed. Germany contributed 20.0% of imports in kind, Sweden 12.0%, and the Netherlands 10.1%. Together, these three countries formed just 42.0% of total import flows, with the remaining 58.0% spread across a wide range of other sources.

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

Cross-border shipments of plastic packaging and closures into Denmark have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to approximately 749.1 million US dollars, indicating a steep 28.6% rise compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 32.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 549.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 3.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands were among the largest suppliers of plastic packaging and closures to Denmark in value terms, with shares of 22.6%, 11.3%, and 10.0%, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 43.9% of total imports in value terms, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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