Plastic packaging and closures market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The plastic packaging and closures market in Finland was influenced by EU regulatory developments starting in 2018, when the updated Packaging Directive tightened recycling targets for 2025 and 2030. Market size dipped to $360.6 million in 2019 but recovered to $376.7 million in 2020. A major expansion followed in 2021, with the market reaching $454.1 million, driven by changes in food packaging toward lighter materials—such as switching from multi-layer plastic films to single-layer and replacing glass—and by the broader push from the EU Green Deal, which increased demand for recyclable and reusable packaging solutions.

After peaking at $468.7 million in 2022, the market contracted to $428.1 million in 2023 and further to $409.3 million in 2024. The decline coincided with the 2024 reform of producer responsibility for packaging in Finland, which extended obligations and recycling fees to smaller companies and introduced new requirements for single-use plastic beverage packages, increasing compliance costs. At the same time, persistently high energy prices in Europe and geopolitical uncertainty from conflicts in Ukraine and Israel contributed to market uncertainty and downward pressure on volume.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, Finland's output of plastic packaging and closures reached its peak at 239.6 million US dollars. This was followed by a decline to 229.4 million US dollars in 2019, representing a 4.2% decrease. In 2020, production recovered slightly to 236.3 million US dollars, marking a 3.0% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2019, Finland's exports of plastic packaging and closures hit their lowest point at 7,958 tonnes, reflecting a 51.0% decline. The following year, exports surged to 16,832 tonnes in 2020, which is 111.5% higher than in 2019, creating a 2.1-fold gap between these two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden accounted for the largest share of Finland's exports in kind at 55.4%, followed by Norway with 8.5% and Estonia with 6.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 70.2% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Finland's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined. In 2018, exports increased by 2.0%, reaching a peak of 70.1 million US dollars in 2019. However, in 2020, exports fell to 68.5 million US dollars, a 2.2% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden was the leading market for Finland's exports in value terms, representing 45.0% of the total. Norway contributed 7.8%, and Estonia accounted for 7.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 60.0% of all export flows.

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 packaging and closures to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations over the period. In 2019, imports of plastic packaging and closures into Finland dropped to their lowest level at 15,316 tonnes, a 64.4% decline. The following year, imports jumped sharply to 49,276 tonnes in 2020, marking a 221.7% increase compared to 2019 and resulting in a 3.2-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top sources for Finland's imports in kind of plastic packaging and closures were Lithuania, with 22.8% of the total, Sweden at 17.9%, and Germany with 13.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.9% of import flows.

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, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms into Finland grew by 11.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. In 2018, imports increased by 8.9%, but dipped by 1.3% in 2019. In 2020, imports amounted to 209.0 million US dollars, showing a controlled increase of 3.9% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for Finland's imports in value terms was diverse. Sweden led with 18.3% of imports, followed by Germany at 14.0% and Lithuania with 12.9%. These three countries together accounted for 45.2% of total flows, while the remaining 54.8% was distributed among numerous other nations.

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

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