Sweden: Polystyrene Market 2025

Polystyrene Market Size in Sweden

In 2022, the Swedish polystyrene market increased by 9.3% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, the total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +53.7% against 2020 indices. Polystyrene consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Polystyrene Production in Sweden

In value terms, polystyrene production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 2.3%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Polystyrene Exports

Exports from Sweden

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of polystyrene decreased by -32.4% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polystyrene exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 107% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Denmark (X tons) was the main destination for polystyrene exports from Sweden, accounting for a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, polystyrene exports to Denmark exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Singapore (X tons), with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Denmark totaled +10.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-22.6% per year) and Singapore (+39.1% per year).

In value terms, Denmark ($X) remains the key foreign market for polystyrene exports from Sweden, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Denmark amounted to +13.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-17.6% per year) and the United States (+22.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polystyrene export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polystyrene export price increased by +81.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average export price increased by 65%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lithuania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Austria (+28.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polystyrene Imports

Imports into Sweden

In 2022, supplies from abroad of polystyrene decreased by -4.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polystyrene imports reached $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +99.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 95%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Norway (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of polystyrene imports to Sweden, together accounting for 79% of total imports. Belgium, Finland, China, Austria and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +14.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene suppliers to Sweden were Norway ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 80% of total imports. Belgium, Finland, China, Austria and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 17%.

Belgium, with a CAGR of +15.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polystyrene import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 6.9% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polystyrene import price increased by +85.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 73%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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