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

Earlier Report Observations

Sweden's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft pulp began the period at 5 901 thousand tonnes in 2018, with a domestic market volume of 3 517 thousand tonnes. The acquisition of Domsjo Fabriker AB by the Aditya Birla Group introduced foreign investment into the Swedish pulp industry, reinforcing production capabilities alongside established players like Södra and Stora Enso with their focus on sustainable forestry. By 2019, production held steady at 5 912 thousand tonnes, but the market volume contracted to 2 935 thousand tonnes as exports rose sharply to 3 291 thousand tonnes.

From 2020 to 2022, production gradually expanded, peaking at 6 195 thousand tonnes in 2022, while the domestic market volume recovered to 3 582 thousand tonnes. In 2023, however, production fell to 5 773 thousand tonnes and the market volume declined to 2 807 thousand tonnes. During this year, Finland accounted for 69% of Sweden's imports of this pulp category, highlighting the regional trade flows that supply the market.

In 2024, Stora Enso launched a new unbleached kraft pulp grade, Nova E, at its Enocell mill, targeting specialized applications like electrical insulation papers. Concurrently, SCA decided against building a new 300 000 tpy fibre line while ramping up output at its Obbola kraftliner machine. The industry faced broader challenges, including global fiber supply constraints, elevated operational costs, and logistics disruptions affecting shipping container availability and freight rates.

Production bleached kraft or soda pulp in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Sweden ranked as the world's 8th largest producer of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) during the 2017-2020 period.

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

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

Sweden's production of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 6 056 K t, marking a slight increase of 2.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's production value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 443 M $ US, down 7.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 624 M $ US, which saw a 27.7% increase. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 19.4% decrease.

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

Exports bleached kraft or soda pulp from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's exports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3 394 K t, up 3.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 35.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden's exports in volume terms were widely distributed across destinations. The Netherlands (20.1% of exports), Germany (12.8%), and Italy (10.5%) together accounted for 43.5% of total flows, while the remaining 56.5% was spread among numerous other countries.

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 export value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 929 M $ US, a modest decrease of 7.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2 123 M $ US, which saw a 32.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden's exports in value terms relied on a diverse range of partner countries. The Netherlands (19.4% of exports), Germany (13.1%), and Italy (10.8%) together made up 43.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports bleached kraft or soda pulp to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's imports of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) rebounded in 2020 after a two-year decline. Imports reached 330 K t, a 5.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.9%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 313 K t, following a 5.2% drop in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (40.0% of imports), Brazil (16.1%), and Finland (14.9%) were the main suppliers of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) to Sweden, together accounting for 70.9% of total imports in volume terms.

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 import value of semi-bleached or bleached kraft or soda wood pulp (excluding dissolving grades) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 164 M $ US, down 13.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 20.4%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 226 M $ US, which saw a 9.5% increase. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019, with a 16.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal (31.8% of imports), Brazil (18.1%), and Finland (17.5%) stood out as the main sources for Sweden's imports in value terms, together representing 67.4% of total flows.

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

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