Expanding TNT Production in Europe
In Warsaw, Poland, the Swedish firm Swebal is in the process of constructing Sweden’s first trinitrotoluene (TNT) manufacturing facility since the Cold War concluded. This initiative is part of a broader effort to increase the production of essential explosive materials within Europe, which are crucial for producing various types of ammunition.
Simultaneously, Poland’s major TNT facility is enhancing its production capabilities to meet growing demands.
According to Joakim Sjöblom, co-founder and CEO of Swebal, who spoke to Defense News, the European explosive manufacturing capability is significantly overshadowed by Russia’s output. This disparity has become more pronounced with the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has introduced additional challenges in the supply chain. Sjöblom emphasized the strategic importance of bolstering Europe’s explosive production capacity in light of these developments.
“At the Cold War’s end, Europe was home to seven major TNT factories. Today, only Nitro-Chem’s facility remains operational in Poland, which does not suffice to meet the continent’s needs. Swebal’s investment in a new TNT production site in Sweden is critical to addressing this shortfall,” stated Sjöblom.
Despite the European Union’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) setting ambitious targets for member states to achieve an annual production capacity of 2 million artillery shells by the end of 2025, Sjöblom believes that merely focusing on assembly capabilities does not provide a complete picture of the production landscape.
Sjöblom pointed out the need to consider the supply of raw materials like rare earth metals, predominantly supplied by China, and semiconductors from Taiwan, which are vital for the European defense industry. He also highlighted the dependency on energetic materials from Asian suppliers, which poses a significant risk to the security of European nations.
The CEO also drew attention to the geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz exacerbated by the war in Iran, underlining the vulnerability of Europe’s defense industry due to its reliance on distant imports.
“To adequately stockpile ammunition, Europe must not only focus on the end product but must also scale up the entire supply chain, including the development of new TNT production facilities,” Sjöblom explained. He revealed that there are ongoing projects to establish TNT manufacturing capabilities in Sweden, Finland, and Greece.
Swebal’s upcoming factory is set to produce over 4,000 metric tons of TNT annually, with production commencing in 2028. In comparison, Russia’s annual TNT production is estimated at over 50,000 tons, Sjöblom noted.
“Russian industries not only produce substantial amounts of TNT but also utilize it in manufacturing Shahed-type drones for attacks in Ukraine. For many years, Europe has relied heavily on imports from Asia, a practice fraught with risks that jeopardize our security,” he added. Sjöblom mentioned a strong interest from European defense companies in the TNT being produced at the new Swedish facility.
About 70 percent of the TNT produced at Swebal’s facility is expected to be sold to manufacturers of missiles and artillery ammunition, including 155mm shells, with several European countries gearing up to host new factories for this ammunition type. The remaining production will supply manufacturers of drones and mines.
Nitro-Chem, a subsidiary of the Polish state-run defense conglomerate PGZ, is also responding to the increased demand for explosives. In March 2026, the company announced plans to open a second TNT production unit within its Bydgoszcz plant in western Poland.
“The growing interest in TNT from various countries has prompted us to expand our production capabilities, enhancing Poland’s security and industrial independence,” said Arkadiusz Miszuk, CEO of Nitro-Chem, in a statement dated March 18.
Beyond serving the Polish defense sector, Nitro-Chem also exports its products to several countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
