The Russian Federation announced the transition to the production of gunpowder from its own raw materials

Russia is trying to localize the production of artillery gunpowder from its own raw materials to get rid of dependence on foreign supplies.

Bekkhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the Weapons, Ammunition and Special Chemicals of Rostec State Corporation announced this.

Ozdoev said that last year, the corporation’s enterprises had begun commercial production of gunpowder from alternative raw materials, such as wood and flax pulp.

“A set of tests and practical firings showed that this powder is in no way inferior to traditional powder. There is no shortage of wood in Russia. In the future, the share of new raw materials in gunpowder production will reach 60-70%,” he said.

At the same time, based on trade data, The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia was still producing little nitrocellulose, the main component of artillery gunpowder brands, and relied more on raw materials from abroad.

According to the publication, in the first year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, imports of these products increased by 70% in 2022. By mid-2023, 3,039 tons had been imported, almost twice as much as in 2021.

Foreign gunpowder – Russian ammunition

After the full-scale invasion began, the EU and the US imposed sanctions on Russia and officially restricted the sale of gunpowder, but China replaced these supplies.

However, according to trade data, almost half of Russia’s current nitrocellulose imports go through a small Turkish company, Noy. Through this company, Russia buys nitrocellulose produced in the US, Germany, and Taiwan.

The German subsidiaries of New York-based International Flavors & Fragrances sold at least 80 tons of nitrocellulose to Noy, which then shipped the products to Russia. Taiwan’s TNC Industrial produced more than 500 tons of nitrocellulose, which Noy shipped to Russia last year. Over the past two years, the company has purchased a similar volume of products from German manufacturer Hagedorn-NC and shipped them to Russia.

In addition, the Russian importer Analytical Marketing Chemical Group has received nitrocellulose from Taiwan over the past two years worth almost $700,000. The organization’s website states that the company is a regular partner of the Kazan Gunpowder Plant.

However, even these supplies may not be enough for Russia due to the chronic shortage of gunpowder on the world market. This may be an additional argument for increasing the production of its own raw materials, in addition to the intention to get rid of dependence on foreign supplies.

According to Ozdoev, Rostec’s plants are 100% full with ammunition production and operate around the clock, while the government continues to look for opportunities and is working to expand production capacity.