Europe is facing a pressing need to significantly increase its production capacity of nitrocellulose, a key component in artillery munitions, in order to strengthen its supply chain and reduce dependence on external sources. Current output falls short of the approximately 20,000 tons annually required to adequately support military demands, industry officials say.

Nitrocellulose, also known as guncotton, is an essential propellant in 155 mm artillery shells widely used by European armed forces. The scarcity of critical ingredients like nitrocellulose and TNT—another explosive used in shells—has exposed vulnerabilities in the munitions supply chain. Europe’s TNT production is now limited to a single factory located in Poland, while the continent’s nitrocellulose manufacturing is dispersed among several facilities including a recently restarted plant in Bergerac, southern France, operated by defense firm Eurenco.

“Investment in production capacity alone is insufficient without securing reliable access to these critical inputs,” said Peter Russell, head of investor relations at the Czechoslovak Group, a major European artillery shell manufacturer. Russell highlighted the strategic importance of stable nitrocellulose and TNT supplies amid growing demand.

The United States similarly relies heavily on a single nitrocellulose factory in Virginia but is working to expand its stockpiles and production lines to reduce dependence on foreign sources. This focus on securing shorter, more self-sustaining supply chains reflects broader concerns about geopolitical risks. “We need to focus much more on having shorter supply chains that can even sustain a war,” said Morten Brandtzæg, CEO of Norwegian-Finnish defense contractor Nammo.

European officials emphasize the need for increased chemical production capabilities on the continent to ensure operational independence. However, stringent legal and bureaucratic requirements pose barriers to building new munitions factories. Thierry Francou, CEO of Eurenco, noted that assembling a single artillery shell already involves components from multiple countries due to these constraints, making complete national self-sufficiency unrealistic. “We have to accept this cross-dependency between countries,” Francou said.

Efforts are underway to bridge the output gap. German defense firm Rheinmetall is converting a civilian nitrocellulose facility to military use, while Poland is constructing a new production plant. Eurenco coordinates a pilot project in Sweden focusing on producing nitrocellulose from recycled textile waste. Additionally, Nammo manufactures nitrocellulose in Finland using wood pulp sourced from Nordic forests, an alternative raw material that could enhance supply diversity.

Nitrocellulose’s origins trace back to the mid-19th century when Swiss chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein discovered that cotton treated with acid became highly flammable without producing revealing smoke, making it suitable for military applications. Its role remains vital in modern artillery, underscoring the urgency of securing stable, locally controlled production as Europe seeks to bolster its defense industrial base.