Quicklime market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish quicklime market expanded from 804 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 925 thousand tonnes in 2019. This growth coincided with the entry into force of Sweden's Climate Act on January 1, 2018, which set a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2045 and established a comprehensive climate policy framework. The law imposed stricter environmental requirements on industrial sectors, including quicklime production. Since quicklime is used in emission abatement processes, such as flue gas desulfurization in steelmaking or water treatment, the heightened regulatory push likely stimulated demand from other industries seeking to reduce their environmental footprint.

Market volume then experienced fluctuations over the following years. After the 2019 peak, consumption declined to 876 thousand tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 924 thousand tonnes in 2021. A more pronounced contraction followed in 2022, with the market shrinking to 821 thousand tonnes. It stabilized somewhat in 2023, reaching 843 thousand tonnes.

In 2024, the market volume fell to 743 thousand tonnes. This decrease occurred alongside the implementation of new regulatory measures. Sweden's updated national energy and climate plan for 2024 reinforced focus on climate targets and emission reductions, leading to stricter environmental requirements for industrial production, including quicklime manufacturing. Concurrently, changes in labor market and tax regulations, such as adjustments to social security contributions and energy taxes, increased operational costs for the industry. These factors likely constrained production and demand during the year.

Production quicklime in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sweden's quicklime production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 89 787 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.5% rise compared to 2019. Production declined by 2.6% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decrease of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 82 087 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop of 10.9% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sweden's quicklime production has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 759.9 thousand tonnes, up by 2.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 694.6 thousand tonnes, when the largest decline of 16.3% was recorded. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 7.2%.

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

Exports quicklime from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's quicklime exports have increased after two years of decline. In 2020, exports reached 70.0 thousand tonnes, a sharp rise of 52.8% compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 44.5%, equivalent to an annualized drop of 17.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 45.8 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline of 53.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Finland and Denmark were the primary destinations for Sweden's quicklime exports in volume terms, together accounting for 93.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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, K $ US

Sweden's quicklime exports have rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 238 thousand US dollars, which is 53.4% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 53.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -22.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 066 thousand US dollars, and the largest drop of 58.7% took place in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Finland and Denmark dominated Sweden's quicklime exports in value terms, concentrating 89.6% of the total. The rest was spread across other destinations, each with smaller contributions.

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

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

Imports quicklime to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's quicklime imports have declined after two years of growth. In 2020, import volume totaled 186.5 thousand tonnes, a significant decrease of 17.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 226.6 thousand tonnes, when the largest increase of 35.0% was recorded.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, France, and the United Kingdom were the main suppliers of quicklime to Sweden in volume terms. Norway accounted for 30.6% of imports, France for 27.7%, and the United Kingdom for 17.5%, together making up 75.8% of total imports.

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, K $ US

Sweden's quicklime imports have decreased after two years of increase. In 2020, imports amounted to 25 257 thousand US dollars, a gradual drop of 9.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 33.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth of 10.2%. The peak value was in 2019 at 27 927 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 24.9% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom led Sweden's quicklime imports in value terms. France contributed 30.3%, Norway 29.0%, and the United Kingdom 18.1%, jointly accounting for 77.4% 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