Sweden Ballistics Secures Approval for TNT Production Facility in Nora Municipality
Sweden's Environmental Court has approved Sweden Ballistics (SWEBAL) to construct a TNT production facility in Nora Municipality, 120 kilometers west of Stockholm. Construction is set to begin in 2026, aiming for a production capacity of 4,500 tons of TNT starting in 2028.
The facility will occupy a 1.21-hectare site with an option to purchase an additional 24 hectares of surrounding forest for protection. The decision is viewed as a critical step for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities, particularly following increased ammunition demand after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Currently, Poland's Nitro-Chem is the only TNT producer in Europe. SWEBAL plans for a fully automated production process, with staff present only in the testing laboratory and a secure monitoring room. Additionally, two other TNT plants are under development in Europe: one by Czech defense giant CSG and Hellenic Defense Systems in Greece, expected to start in spring 2027, and another by Finnish Forcit in Pori, aiming for production in 2028.
