Uncoated fluting paper market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

From 2020 to 2021, the Swedish uncoated fluting paper market saw a slight volume increase to 160.3 thousand tons, driven by rising demand for cellulose-based packaging as a substitute for plastic. This shift was accelerated by EU regulations on recycled content and recyclability. The market value also rose sharply to $90.2 million in 2021, reflecting higher energy costs and strong demand for eco-friendly packaging.

After 2021, market volume declined steadily, reaching 112.6 thousand tons by 2024. This contraction coincided with increased competition from Asian producers, who expanded capacity and put pressure on prices. Swedish manufacturers maintained strong export flows to markets like India and the United States, diverting production away from domestic consumption. The implementation of the EU's new Sustainable Products Regulations (PPWR) in 2024, which mandated higher recycled content, further altered production costs and dynamics, contributing to a fall in market value to $49.7 million by 2024.

Production uncoated fluting paper in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports uncoated fluting paper from Sweden

Exports in kind, K t

Sweden's exports of uncoated fluting paper have grown for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports reached 310.0 K t, followed by an increase to 327.2 K t in 2020, marking a 5.6% rise year-over-year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall declined by 6.6%, with an average annual decrease of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 289.3 K t, which saw the largest drop of 17.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest growth at 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden traded uncoated fluting paper with numerous countries worldwide. Even the top destinations—Italy, Spain, and Germany—collectively accounted for just 39.7% of total exports in volume, highlighting the diversity of Sweden's export 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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of uncoated fluting paper exports from Sweden totaled 206.2 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.0% from 2019. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 197.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%. Conversely, 2019 recorded the highest increase at 5.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden's export portfolio for uncoated fluting paper in value terms was quite extensive. The leading partners—Italy with 21.1%, Spain with 11.5%, and the Philippines with 6.7%—together made up only 39.3% of total export value, indicating a wide distribution across many 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 uncoated fluting paper to Sweden

Imports in kind, K t

Sweden's imports of uncoated fluting paper have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 107.3 K t, down 12.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12.7%, with an average annual decline of 4.4%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 128.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Poland dominated Sweden's imports of uncoated fluting paper in volume, jointly representing 83.7% of total imports. The remaining share was spread among other countries.

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 imports of uncoated fluting paper in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 59.4 million US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 24.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 28.4%, equating to an average annual decrease of 10.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 79.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 23.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany and Poland were the key players in Sweden's imports of uncoated fluting paper in value terms, together accounting for 81.4% of total import value. The rest was distributed among various other countries.

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

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