Stockholm: A Swedish start-up has taken a critical step toward bolstering Europe’s defense manufacturing capabilities by winning legal approval to construct a new TNT (trinitrotoluene) production plant a move analysts say could reshape the continent’s strategic supply of explosives.
Sweden Ballistics AB (SWEBAL), a defense technology start-up, announced on Wednesday that Sweden’s Land and Environmental Court granted it a permit to build a TNT factory near the town of Nora in central Sweden. The decision clears a significant regulatory hurdle and sets the stage for construction to begin soon, with full operations expected by 2028.
SWEBAL plans for the factory to produce about 4,500 metric tons of TNT annually once operational a volume the company says will substantially enhance domestic explosive supplies and reduce Europe’s reliance on imports and limited foreign production. TNT is a high-explosive compound used in artillery shells, aerial bombs, anti-tank weapons and various other munitions.
The permit comes at a time when Europe is urgently seeking to expand its defense industrial base amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly due to Russia’s prolonged military operations in Ukraine. The European Commission has set aggressive targets including an annual output of 2 million 155 mm artillery shells to reinforce stockpiles and meet allied defense requirements, but material shortages have persistently hindered these goals.
SWEBAL’s Chief Executive, Joakim Sjöblom, hailed the court’s decision as more than just regulatory approval, describing it as a “fundamental shift in Europe’s ability to secure its own defense supply chain.” He underscored the importance of re-establishing every link in the munitions production chain from explosives to finished ammunition within Europe and NATO territory to ensure long-term resilience.
For decades, most TNT used across the continent has been sourced from outside Europe, especially from Asia, or produced in limited quantities by facilities such as Poland’s Nitro-Chem plant in Bydgoszcz, which also exports to the United States. These constrained supplies have become bottlenecks in the broader industrial push to scale up munitions production.
SWEBAL’s planned factory is one of several emerging projects aimed at boosting European self-sufficiency in explosive materials. For example, Finnish explosives manufacturer Forcit Group is advancing plans for a major TNT facility in Pori, Finland, representing a substantial investment in domestic capacity and employment.
Industry observers note that reviving TNT manufacturing in Europe dormant in many regions since post-Cold War demilitarization could provide critical stability to ammunition supply chains. Production of such bulk explosives also encourages growth in specialized technical expertise and skilled jobs, areas that have faced shortages as defense industries have expanded.
Although the strategic implications dominate discussions, local economic effects are also anticipated. The facility will create new employment opportunities in the Nora region and reinforce Sweden’s industrial footprint in advanced materials manufacturing. The permitting process involved comprehensive environmental and safety assessments, reflecting Sweden’s stringent regulatory framework for hazardous chemical production. Modern engineering and oversight are expected to limit ecological and community risks.
According to industry data, Sweden has been one of the largest producers of prepared explosives within the European Union, accounting for a significant share of output in recent years. Nonetheless, overall European explosives production has experienced fluctuations, and imports of prepared explosives declined sharply in 2024 as supply chains readjusted to heightened defense demands.
The approval of the TNT factory in Sweden signifies a broader shift in European defence policy from reliance on external suppliers to building sovereign industrial capacity in essential materials. As Europe continues to navigate complex security challenges, initiatives like SWEBAL’s TNT plant will play an increasingly important role in shaping the continent’s readiness and resilience.