Sweden is building up a new research and expertise environment for nitrocellulose and conventional propellant. The new centre Svenskt Krut (Swedish Propellant) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology will, among other things, investigate the possibility of using Swedish forestry raw materials for nitrocellulose and contribute to the conditions for domestic manufacturing.
Svenskt Krut is run by KTH together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) and Swedish industry, and is funded with 100 million Swedish kronor over the period 2026 to 2031, according to KTH. According to FMV, the funding comes from the Swedish Armed Forces via FMV.
A central part of the research will focus on nitrocellulose, which is the base material in conventional propellant. KTH states that cotton is the main raw material used today, while the centre will investigate forest-based cellulose as an alternative. The research will also cover manufacturing processes, the material's ageing and storage, and methods for assessing its service life.
"We are building up something that Sweden needs to establish: a unified scientific environment around nitrocellulose and propellant. It is just as much about understanding the materials as it is about training the engineers and researchers who will ensure Sweden's supply capability over the coming decades," says Daniel Söderberg, professor at KTH and director of Svenskt Krut, in KTH's news release.
One of the industry partners is Verkan AB, which is working to establish Swedish production of propellant and other input materials. The company states that operations can only commence once preparations have been completed, necessary permits obtained, and funding secured.