Rheinmetall Says Bavaria Gunpowder Plant Will More Than Double Output by 2028

According to CNBC, Rheinmetall is expanding its Aschau am Inn site in Bavaria into one of Europe's largest gunpowder plants and expects production there to more than double by 2028 to 4,200 metric tons annually. CEO Armin Papperger said the company has secured its own supply of nitrocellulose and built reserves, with stock for the next four years, after shortages of the ammunition ingredient and higher gunpowder prices emerged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rheinmetall is also building a research and development center at the site for advanced gunpowder and is working to qualify wood-derived cellulose as an alternative to cotton linters. Papperger said Rheinmetall's order book is expected to rise to more than 100 billion euros by the end of the year.