Driving Force Behind Artillery Ammunition: Rheinmetall Takes Over Hagedorn-NC
- Osnabrück-based firm assumes control over artillery explosive propellant production.
Hagedorn-NC, a company specializing in nitrocellulose production, is now under Rheinmetall's watch. This key energetic component is an essential part of propellant powders that fuels modern artillery shells, allowing them to reach long-distance targets. The nitrocellulose, formed by reacting cellulose with nitrating acids, plays a pivotal role in artillery propellant manufacturing.
Rheinmetall aims to close a strategic bottleneck in propellant production with the takeover, ensuring a stable source of this vital material. Currently, Rheinmetall boasts nitrocellulose production at three strategic locations: Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, and soon, Osnabrück, thanks to the acquisition.
The acquisition's financial details were kept under wraps, but Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, spoke up about the move strengthening their propellant production. Approximately 90 employees of Hagedorn-NC are expected to join Rheinmetall, and initially, civilian clients of Hagedorn will continue to receive their nitrocellulose supplies. In the upcoming months, production will primarily focus on military-grade nitrocellulose.
[1] DefenseNews
[2] ShephardMedia
[3] International Industry
[4] EuroDefenceNews
[5] Military-Technology
- Rheinmetall's acquisition of Hagedorn-NC signifies a significant expansion for its steel-production-associated aid, as Hagedorn specializes in the crucial nitrocellulose component for propellant powders.
- The purchase of Hagedorn-NC will add Osnabrück to Rheinmetall's extensive list of strategic nitrocellulose production locations, including Switzerland, Spain, South Africa, with the aim of bolstering their propellant manufacturing capability.
- Approximately ninety Hagedorn-NC employees will transfer to Rheinmetall as a result of the takeover, with the primary focus on military-grade nitrocellulose production in the near future.
