Plastics coated paper and paperboard market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for plastics coated paper and paperboard in Finland showed significant volatility. Following a market size of $190.6 million in 2018, it dropped sharply to $123.1 million in 2019. It partially recovered to $138.5 million in 2020, a period during which paperboard solidified its position as the most important export product for the Finnish forest industries, indicating strong underlying demand for these materials that likely supported domestic market activity.

Market volume continued to fluctuate in the subsequent years, falling to $124.7 million in 2021 before rising to a period high of $154.6 million in 2022. This peak was not sustained, as the market contracted again to $130.2 million in 2023. That year, despite regulatory bans on single-use plastics driving increased demand for paperboard in multiple countries, the Finnish industry contended with rising raw material costs and trade disruptions linked to sanctions on Russia, which put downward pressure on the market's value.

A recovery to $144.6 million occurred in 2024, driven by significant industry developments. Stora Enso expanded production capacity at its Oulu mill with a new 450,000 tonne per year line for virgin fiber-based board, while new Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and the full implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive created a regulatory push for sustainable packaging. Concurrently, major retailers like Kesko updated policies to increase renewable material use, and Metsä Board launched new lightweight paperboard products, collectively stimulating market growth.

Production plastics coated paper and paperboard in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 631.3 million US dollars, reflecting a modest 2.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 694.3 million US dollars, which represented a significant 16.0% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.2% drop.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Plastics coated paper and paperboard production in Finland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Finland produced 447.1 thousand tons, marking a 7.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 4.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 522.1 thousand tons, representing an 11.3% increase. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.7% drop.

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

Exports plastics coated paper and paperboard from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard exports amounted to 409.7 thousand tons, representing a significant 66.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 246.6 thousand tons, marking a 40.4% decline. The highest volume was achieved in 2018 with 413.8 thousand tons.

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

During 2017-2020, Finland supplied plastics coated paper and paperboard to numerous markets worldwide. Even the three largest destinations—Japan, Russia, and Germany—collectively accounted for only 42.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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 years of growth, Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard exports declined. In 2020, exports reached 557.4 million US dollars, representing a 4.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 21%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 581.8 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 20.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland exported plastics coated paper and paperboard to a diverse range of markets. The top three destinations—Japan (17.3% of export value), Russia (16.9%), and Poland (6.6%)—together accounted for only 40.7% of total export value. The remaining 59.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Finland in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastics coated paper and paperboard to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

Finland imported 29.3 thousand tons of plastics coated paper and paperboard in 2020, showing a sharp 57.4% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 65.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 6.8% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Sweden (50.4% of import volume), Germany (18.4%), and Italy (7.0%) formed the key group of partners for Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard imports, jointly representing 75.8% of total 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

Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 64.6 million US dollars, representing a 6.5% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 44.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden (35.8% of import value), Germany (22.6%), and Italy (7.9%) consistently remained the main sources for Finland's plastics coated paper and paperboard imports, together accounting for 66.2% of total import value.

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

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