Pulp and paper machinery market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Swedish pulp and paper machinery market was influenced by stricter environmental regulations and shifting demand. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency mandated compliance with Best Available Techniques (BAT) for pulp, paper, and cardboard producers by September 2018, driving investments in equipment modernization. Concurrently, rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions stimulated development of new production machinery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further altered market dynamics, as increased need for hygiene products and food packaging prompted manufacturers to reorient production capacity and place new equipment orders.

The market's focus on sustainability intensified in 2021, with investments flowing into circular economy technologies and equipment for recycling, supported by new regulatory targets requiring at least 85% recycling of paper and cardboard. Exploration of new segments like molded fiber also created demand for specialized machinery. However, by 2022, weak economic conditions and altered global trade flows reduced industrial activity, leading to a decline in machinery production. This trend continued into 2023, with equipment output falling to $978 million and total market size contracting to $647 million, down from its 2021 peak of $793 million.

Production pulp and paper machinery in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

Exports pulp and paper machinery from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden's pulp and paper machinery exports totaled 14,203 tons, marking a significant 19.8% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 25.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.3%. The only year that saw growth was 2019, with an 8.8% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (14.6% of exports in kind), Finland (11.1% of exports in kind), and China (9.6% of exports in kind) were key buyers of pulp and paper machinery from Sweden. However, their combined share accounted for just 35.4% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 64.6% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

Following two years of decline, Sweden's pulp and paper machinery exports in value terms rebounded in 2020, reaching 404.4 million US dollars—a modest 7.6% increase over the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 375.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of Sweden's pulp and paper machinery exports in value terms was highly diverse. The United States (18.0% of exports in value terms), China (10.7% of exports in value terms), and Brazil (6.7% of exports in value terms) together made up only 35.5% of total exports, while the remaining 64.5% was shared among many smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports pulp and paper machinery to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's imports of pulp and paper machinery in kind declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 5,931 tons—a slight 0.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell sharply by 48.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland (27.8% of imports in kind), Estonia (10.3% of imports in kind), and China (8.2% of imports in kind) were major suppliers of pulp and paper machinery to Sweden. Despite this, their combined share represented only 46.3% of total imports in kind, with the other 53.7% coming from a wide range of other partners.

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

After two years of contraction, Sweden's imports of pulp and paper machinery in value terms rose in 2020, reaching 110.9 million US dollars—a substantial 19.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 19.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 92.9 million US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Finland (38.8% of imports in value terms), Germany (13.0% of imports in value terms), and China (6.0% of imports in value terms) consistently led Sweden's import structure in value terms. Together, they accounted for 57.9% of total imports.

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

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