Plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Sweden reached 104 875 t in 2021 but then contracted to 91 728 t by 2023. This reduction coincided with the national ban on selling single-use plastic items like plates and cutlery that took effect in January 2022, directly curbing consumption of these products.

In value terms, the market peaked at $468.0 million in 2021 before falling to $415.7 million in 2023. The implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive tightened sustainability rules, raised compliance demands on producers and accelerated a shift in consumer preference toward eco-friendly and recyclable alternatives.

Additional regulations in 2024, including a ban on single-use cups with over 15% plastic content from January and a requirement for attached lids on beverage containers from July, extended the regulatory pressure. Imports and exports continued to decline in 2024, reflecting the ongoing adjustment in supply and demand structures.

Production plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined after two years of growth. In 2019, exports reached 37 712 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 34 634 tonnes, representing an 8.2% decrease. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, at 2.5%. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Norway, and Denmark were Sweden's key export partners for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Poland accounted for 24.4% of exports, Norway for 23.5%, and Denmark for 14.6%. Together, these three countries made up 62.5% of Sweden's total export flows in this category.

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 exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 176.4 million US dollars, down 10.6% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 201.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 21.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.1%, averaging a 2.0% annual growth rate.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Norway, Poland, and Denmark were the top destinations for Sweden's exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Norway led with 22.6% of exports, followed by Poland at 14.1%, and Denmark at 13.7%. Combined, these three partners accounted for 50.4% of Sweden's total export value in this sector.

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 plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms saw a slight decline in 2020, totaling 67 935 tonnes, which was 2.6% lower than in 2019. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 69 747 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 2.4% also occurring that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.1%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Norway, and Finland were the primary sources for Sweden's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 58.2% of Sweden's total imports in this category.

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's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 285.6 million US dollars, a 2.4% drop from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at 325.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 16.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 10.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, Norway, and Finland were the main sources for Sweden's imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Germany accounted for 26.8% of imports, Norway for 16.1%, and Finland for 12.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 55.0% of Sweden's total import value in this sector.

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

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