US Explosives and Propellants Market Size and Forecast by Type, Application, Material, and End User: 2019-2033

US Explosives and Propellants Market Growth and Performance

• In 2024, the US explosives and propellants market size is expected to achieve a market revenue of US$ XX million.
• This market is projected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX%, resulting in a forecasted market value of US$ XX million by the end of 2032.

US Explosives and Propellants Market Outlook

The U.S. explosives and propellants market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by urgent national defence requirements, technological innovations, and large-scale investments aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing capacity. With growing geopolitical tensions and an increasing need to replenish critical munitions, particularly 155mm artillery shells, the U.S. Army is leading robust initiatives to enhance energetics production capabilities.

A notable example of this strategic momentum is the Army's aggressive effort to produce 100,000 155mm rounds per month by late 2025. This target has led to increased demand for key energetic materials such as IMX-104 and TNT, which are essential for producing modern munitions. However, existing domestic production capabilities have proven insufficient to meet these elevated needs, prompting the Army to seek global partnerships with allies like Poland, Australia, and India. To address these gaps, contracts worth $1.5 billion have been awarded to various companies across the U.S., Canada, India, and Poland, focusing on expanding the production of explosives and propellants.

Significant facility upgrades and new construction projects underscore the commitment to strengthening the U.S. defence industrial base. For example, production of IMX-104 is being ramped up at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant, while efforts to revive M6 propellant manufacturing are underway at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. Additionally, Goex in Minden, Louisiana, is being revitalized to resume black powder production — a critical step in supporting broader ammunition manufacturing needs.

Innovations are also playing a crucial role in reshaping the market landscape. Supernova, a leading company specializing in advanced additive manufacturing, secured a $2 million contract from the Department of Defence (DoD) to 3D print military-grade energetic materials. Utilizing their proprietary Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) technology, Supernova is working to develop new methods of producing explosives and propellants with greater efficiency and flexibility. Such advancements aim to create highly specialized components for solid rocket motors, bombs, and flares, representing a technological leap in the U.S. energetic materials market.

At the same time, broader modernization initiatives are being funded through contracts exceeding $961 million. These contracts support the production of MACS propellant charges, the assembly of M119A2 propellant systems, and the manufacturing of the advanced M1128 High Explosive projectile. This new generation of munitions promises enhanced range and near-precision targeting, addressing critical battlefield needs for both U.S. forces and allied nations such as Ukraine. Expanded investments in high-fragmentation steel production and new facility construction further illustrate the scale and urgency of these efforts.

The increasing integration of additive manufacturing in propellants, coupled with strategic collaborations and investments in traditional energetics manufacturing, indicates that the U.S. explosives and propellants market is at the cusp of rapid evolution. As production targets escalate and technologies mature, the market is poised to witness robust growth, strengthening national security while opening new opportunities for technological advancement and industrial innovation.