Semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp excluding dissolving grades market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp in Finland showed high volatility from 2018 to 2023, reaching a peak of 5.7 million tonnes in 2019 before falling sharply to 3.2 million tonnes in 2020. A moderate recovery to 4.1 million tonnes occurred in 2021, but the trend turned downward again in 2022 and 2023, with the market contracting to 2.6 million tonnes by the end of 2023.

The pronounced drop in market volume during 2023 was primarily driven by structural changes on the supply side. The permanent closure of a pulp mill in Finland removed 1.6 million tonnes of global market pulp capacity, while the simultaneous start-up of the new Metsä Fibre Kemi mill in September added roughly 880 000 tonnes of mostly softwood pulp. This net reduction in available capacity, alongside global supply-chain rebalancing affecting northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, limited domestic supply and contributed to the market's contraction.

Entering 2024, the market landscape was marked by product innovation and a continued shift toward sustainable materials. Metsä Group introduced a new high-strength kraft pulp grade for premium packaging in July 2024, and regulatory and consumer trends increasingly favored eco-friendly, unbleached pulp products. Technological advancements, such as the adoption of digital twin platforms in mills, aimed to enhance operational efficiency within the industry.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Finland was one of the world's top producers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, from 2017 to 2020, ranking 6th globally by production volume.

Top producers of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of bleached kraft or soda pulp, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Finland's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined. In 2020, output reached 6 680 K t, marking a modest 8.9% decrease from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 7 330 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 7.7%.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Finland

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports from Finland reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 653 K t, then surged to 3 698 K t in 2020, a 123.8% increase year-over-year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.2-fold. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 54.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Italy were the top contributors to Finland's exports in kind. China accounted for 41.9% of exports, Germany for 12.1%, and Italy for 6.2%, together making up 60.2% of total 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

Finland's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 860 M $ US, a solid 22.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 4.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 848 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 46.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, China, Germany, and Italy formed the main cluster of markets for Finland's exports in value terms. China's share was 35.7%, Germany's was 13.2%, and Italy's was 7.8%, collectively accounting for 56.7% of total 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 bleached kraft or soda pulp to Finland

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance exhibited significant fluctuations. Imports bottomed in 2019 at 15 K t, then jumped to 178 K t in 2020, a sharp 1 059.2% increase from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 445 K t, with a 29-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 96.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Finland's imports in kind, holding a 77.7% share of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

Imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, to Finland fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 88 M $ US, a dramatic 57.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports dropped by 65.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.0%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 328 M $ US, with the largest increase that year at 27.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, Brazil played a leading role in Finland's imports in value terms, accounting for 79.9% of total flows for semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp, excluding dissolving grades, with the rest distributed among other partners.

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

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