Stainless steel wire market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish stainless steel wire market showed varied volumes between 2018 and 2022, shaped by strategic investments and external events. Early in the period, producers focused on advanced steel grades and expanded capacity, exemplified by Outokumpu's new rolling mill in Fagersta in 2019 to strengthen its stainless wire position. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced demand volatility in 2020, while mills specialized in high-value stainless products. From 2021, rising environmental awareness and emerging EU regulations began pushing the industry toward green steel and lower-carbon production methods.

From 2023, the market volume contracted sharply, reaching 2 993 t in 2024. This decline was driven by significant supply chain disruptions, including strikes in Finland and Spain during 2023 that hampered European stainless steel production and logistics. The same year saw the entry of a major new player, H2 Green Steel, which secured €6.5 billion to build large-scale green steel capacity. In 2024, sanctions against Russia tightened access to key raw materials like nickel and chromium, while prolonged lead times and constraints at European plate mills further reduced product availability in Sweden.

Production stainless steel wire in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sweden's stainless steel wire production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 107.9 million US dollars, marking a 3.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 9.9%, with an annualized decline of 3.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 139.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 16.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 20.0% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following a two-year decline, stainless steel wire production in Sweden saw a slight rebound. In 2020, output reached 12 678 tonnes, up 0.8% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 19.3%, with an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 12 573 tonnes, which also recorded the largest decline of 19.3%.

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

Exports stainless steel wire from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's stainless steel wire exports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 548 tonnes, down 6.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 28.7%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 10.7%. The highest level was in 2018 at 13 465 tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 0.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 23.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Switzerland were the top destinations for Sweden's stainless steel wire exports by volume. Germany accounted for 37.2% of exports, France for 8.3%, and Switzerland for 7.2%. Together, these three countries made up 52.6% of total export flows.

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 stainless steel wire export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 78.7 million US dollars, a 10.7% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 26%, with an annualized decline of 9.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 117.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 10.2%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 24.8% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Italy were the leading markets for Sweden's stainless steel wire exports by value. Germany accounted for 37.6% of exports, France for 7.6%, and Italy for 5.0%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 50.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports stainless steel wire to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's stainless steel wire imports decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 4 353 tonnes, down 2.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 5.5%, with an annualized decline of 1.9%. The highest level was in 2018 at 5 119 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 11.1%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 12.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Indonesia, and Germany were the primary sources for Sweden's stainless steel wire imports by volume. Czechia accounted for 52.4% of imports, Indonesia for 12.5%, and Germany for 10.4%. Together, these three countries represented 75.3% of total import flows.

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 stainless steel wire import value declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 21.2 million US dollars, a 5.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 24.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 25.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 10.1% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, Germany, and Indonesia were the main sources for Sweden's stainless steel wire imports by value. Czechia accounted for 51.2% of imports, Germany for 16.1%, and Indonesia for 7.9%. Combined, these three countries made up 75.2% of total import flows.

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

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