Water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Danish market for water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes expanded from 89.7 million USD to 104.2 million USD. This growth was primarily driven by regulatory changes, notably the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's Order 1369 of 25 November 2015 on the marketing and labeling of volatile organic compounds in certain paints and varnishes, which tightened requirements and favored water-based acrylic products. Concurrently, increasing consumer focus on environmental and health aspects, along with preferences for low-odor, quick-drying acrylic paints for indoor use and hybrid paints for outdoor woodwork, supported the rise in market volume.

After peaking in 2020, the market size declined to 58.6 million USD by 2024. During the early 2020s, the market continued to see innovation in paint media and lacquers that altered properties like gloss and texture, as well as a sustained emphasis on low-VOC products and eco-labels such as the Nordic Swan. However, these factors did not reverse the downward trend. Production values also fell from 132.6 million USD in 2018 to 112.9 million USD in 2024, while imports and exports fluctuated, with exports reaching 128.9 million USD in 2025.

Production water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In Denmark, the production value of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 130.8 million US dollars, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Denmark's production volume of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2021, 47 201 tonnes were produced, marking a controlled contraction of 5.3% from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 53 459 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 7.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Denmark exported 49 407 tonnes of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes, representing a 19.5% gain from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 20.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Poland, and Germany were the main destinations for Denmark's exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 36.5% of exports, Poland for 25.3%, and Germany for 6.6%, with these three countries together making up 68.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Denmark's cross-border shipments of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 116.9 million US dollars, up by 24.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 93.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In value terms, Sweden, Poland, and Germany were the primary destinations for Denmark's exports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from 2018 to 2021. Sweden represented 29.0% of exports, Poland 21.9%, and Germany 8.5%, with these three countries collectively accounting for 59.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Denmark's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes declined in 2021, with imports recorded at 28 690 tonnes, indicating a decrease of 2.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The maximum volume was in 2020 at 29 531 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Germany, and Norway formed the core group of markets for Denmark's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 50.2% of imports, Germany for 22.6%, and Norway for 13.2%, with these three countries together representing 86.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Denmark's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from abroad have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at 78.2 million US dollars, up by 16.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In value terms, Sweden, Germany, and Norway were the principal destinations for Denmark's imports of water-based acrylic or vinyl paints and varnishes from 2018 to 2021. Sweden accounted for 52.2% of imports, Germany for 16.9%, and Norway for 13.1%, with these three countries jointly making up 82.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021