The man was passing through security control on yesterday morning at Landvetter Airport when the screening showed "something explosive", police spokesman Peter Adlersson told AFP.
Adlersson, who did not disclose what the suspect was carrying, said he was "going to fly to another EU country".
Swedish daily Aftonbladet said the man was carrying acetone peroxide (TATP), a component of bombs used in several attacks across Europe, including Manchester, Brussels and Paris.
Authorities have not disclosed the suspect's identity but the Swedish daily Goteborgs-Posten said he is a German citizen.
He was arrested on suspicion of "attempted public destruction", the public prosecutor's office said in a statement today.