07/21/2025

NAPIM Executive Committee Issues Statement on Critical Nitrocellulose Supply Disruption

Due to accelerating geopolitical tension and increasing conflict across the globe, governments are significantly investing in their defense industries.

Nitrocellulose (NC) is used in many military products as an explosive or propellant, however, NC is also used extensively in industrial applications, notably inks and varnishes. NC is produced in two types, ‘Energetic’ military-grade NC and ‘Industrial’ NC. The availability of industrial-grade NC has been further restricted by NC producers as government purchases of military-grade NC have been prioritized.

NAPIM recognizes this is a global supply chain issue and may be disruptive to the North American market. Significant NC price increases have been seen across North America as NC production globally shifts to defense orientated applications, limiting industrial-grade availability and causing supply/demand imbalances in the market for this critical raw material. A similar situation is being reported in Europe.