Recycled cotton from textile waste in the European production of nitrocellulose

Purpose and goal

There is a shortage of cotton linters of sufficient quantity and quality for the production of nitrocellulose (NC) to supply Europe´s needs. In the current world situation, there is a clear need to increase flexibility and access to raw materials that can be produced locally, for civilian as well as military purposes. The project, in collaboration with Biosorbe AB as a civilian actor and Eurenco Bofors AB as a military actor, will produce nitrocellulose from recycled textile waste.

Expected effects and result

Recycled cotton from textile waste can contribute to security of supply for Europe´s and NATO´s NC production. The recycling of textile waste contributes to both circularity and increased sustainability. NC is used to manufacture propellant for various weapon systems, e.g. 155 mm artillery, grenade launchers and fine caliber ammunitions. Biosorbe´s plant in Kristinehamn has a capacity of 7,000 tonnes/year, which is in the same order of magnitude as Europe´s increased need.

Planned approach and implementation

Biosorbe will supply through its factory in Kristinehamn Eurenco with suitable cotton pulp for nitrocellulose production. Eurenco will build a pilot to further convert the pulp into nitrocellulose. The plan is to run the produced nitrocellulose in Eurenco´s production line in order to fully evaluate the potential of the propellant.