Upcoming Trade Shows in Sweden for Packing & Packaging

Sweden’s packing and packaging industry faces serious regulatory changes in response to the strong push towards adopting circular economy principles. In July 2022, the Swedish government introduced a new Producer Responsibility Regulation for Packaging, which aimed to improve the country’s waste management. This regulation mandates that all packaging producers, including foreign companies importing or selling products in Sweden, join an approved Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). These organisations oversee the collection, sorting, and then recycling of packaging waste, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, since 2021, companies must register with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) and submit annual reports on their waste management practices. These measures place the responsibility for sustainable packaging directly on producers, which creates incentives for these companies to innovate in the fields of eco-friendly materials and recycling processes. With sustainability at the core of Sweden’s environmental policies, the packaging industry is shifting towards recyclable and biodegradable materials. In 2020, paper packaging accounted for over 604,000 tonnes of the country’s total packaging waste, making it the most commonly used material. However, while Sweden boasts an overall recycling rate of 60.2%, it still falls short of the EU average of 64.3%. Glass packaging leads the way, with a 94% recycling rate, followed by fibre-based packaging at 80%. The stringent producer responsibility obligations have encouraged companies to design packaging that is more resource-efficient, recyclable, and free from hazardous substances. This shift aligns with Sweden’s broader goal of achieving a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused and repurposed. Despite its progress, the Swedish packaging industry faces mounting challenges due to global trade dependencies and geopolitical uncertainties. Johan Sjöberg, Security and Defence Policy Advisor at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv), highlights the industry’s vulnerability to supply chain disruptions, cyber threats, industrial espionage, and economic sabotage.