Rheinmetall acquires Hagedorn-NC for artillery propellants
Rheinmetall announced the acquisition of the German Hagedorn-NC, a company specialising in the production of nitrocellulose for industrial use. The operation aims to strengthen the supply chain of strategic raw materials for the production of artillery propellantsin a European context marked by a strong increase in demand for ammunition and explosives.
La nitrocellulose is an essential component for the realisation of modular chargeswhich allow projectiles to be launched from 155 mm to distances greater than 40 kilometres. With the war in Ukraine still ongoing, the demand for heavy ammunition has increased dramatically, prompting governments and companies to investing in production capacity and security of supply.
According to the statement, Rheinmetall intends to convert the production of Hagedorn-NC at military-grade nitrocellulose in the coming months, while also temporarily maintaining civil supplies.
'The acquisition allows us to overcome a strategic bottleneck in the propellant production chain', stated Armin PappergerCEO of Rheinmetall.
'We secure an essential source of raw materials and continue vertical integration along the entire ammunition supply chain'.
L'European Union estimate to achieve a annual production of 2 million artillery shells by 2025compared to just 230,000 strokes 2023. The impetus also comes from joint initiatives between industry and institutions to increase the European defence resilience.
Rheinmetallone of Europe's leading manufacturers of large-calibre ammunition, aims to reach a production capacity of up to 1.1 million 155 mm bullets per year. With the integration of Hagedorn-NCthe company will have a fourth nitrocellulose production sitealongside those already operating in Switzerland (Wimmis), Spain (Murcia) e South Africa (Wellington).
The acquisition comes at a time when the whole of Europe is taking action to fill the production gaps in the defence sector. In France, for example, production of explosive powder at Eurenco in Bergeracwhile the Denmark entrusted the Norwegian Nammo the restart of a closed munitions factory in 2020.
Also the Poland invested heavily in the sector, allocating around 3 billion zloty ($760 million) to the local production of ammunition, in particular bullets for 155 mm. An agreement with Grupa Azoty e Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa provides for the construction of new facilities for nitrocellulose e propellants.
The acquisition of Hagedorn-NC by Rheinmetall is part of a context of increasing vertical integration in the sector. In parallel, the Czech group Czechoslovak Group (CSG) noted the nitrocellulose activity of the International Flavours & Fragrances a Walsrode, Germanywith the intention of expanding military production beyond industrial production, already destined for paints and varnishes.
La nitrocellulose is produced through the cellulose nitrificationderived from cotton linters o wood pulp. From 2022, l'EU banned from exporting nitrocellulose to Russiaextending the blockade to the cotton pulp in June 2023, to prevent critical components from falling into hostile hands.
The acquisition of Hagedorn-NC is currently subject to antitrust approvalbut Rheinmetall confirmed that the operation will strengthen its role as a key supplier of NATO ammunitionguaranteeing a autonomous and secure supply chain.
The company did not provide financial details on the transaction, nor did it specify the future production capacity of the acquired site. However, according to initial information, the integration will lead to the entry of about 90 new employees in the Rheinmetall group, while the Walsrode managed by CSG already takes more than 350 people.
In conclusion, the growing demand for artillery ammunitionthe strengthening of European defence policies and the need for industrial autonomy are reshaping the European defence production landscape. Operations such as that of Rheinmetall at Hagedorn-NC confirm that the future of the European security will also come from the ability to control every link in the chain, from the material at projectile finished.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
