Why cotton fibres could be key in the global arms race
Why cotton fibres could be key in the global arms race newspress_en Sat, 08/15/2026 - 05:56 Business & Economy Long a mainstay of the textile industry, cotton is associated more with towels and bedsheets than with war and armaments, but as the 21st century grows ever tenser, the humble yet thirsty cotton plant is increasingly important to the world of warfare. The reason is its short fibres…
Cotton linters, the fine fibers remaining after textile-grade cotton seeds are separated from the longer fibers used in fabric production, hold significant potential in the global arms race. These fibres, known for their high purity cellulose content (often exceeding 98%), form the basis of nitrocellulose, a crucial ingredient in smokeless propellants for ammunition.
Nitrocellulose production demands a specialized industrial nitration process, requiring sophisticated equipment, stern safety protocols, and significant infrastructure. Due to these requirements, nitrocellulose production has traditionally been a low-volume endeavor, with Europe's capacity constrained by the limited availability of cotton linters.
Post the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the world witnessed a surge in ammunition consumption, particularly of 155mm artillery rounds favored by NATO countries, and 152mm shells used by Russia. This heightened demand revealed bottlenecks in global nitrocellulose supply chains, especially for artillery ammunition production.
Western nations, including those in Europe, have faced difficulties securing sufficient cotton linters for nitrocellulose manufacturing, thereby hampering their ability to bolster artillery shell production.
NATO members, particularly European countries, have been reliant on Chinese cotton linters for nitrocellulose production, with China accounting for roughly 70% of Europe's linter requirements. Such dependency exposes Europe to vulnerabilities in the nitrocellulose supply chain, particularly in the face of potential trade restrictions or escalating geopolitical tensions with China.
The European Policy Centre's 2025 report revealed that Europe's nitrocellulose production is dominated by just a few companies: Rheinmetall in Germany, Eurenco in France, along with smaller producers in the Czech Republic and Poland. Their combined annual output ranges between 4,500 to 10,000 tonnes, indicating a significant gap in meeting the rising demand.
To meet the needs of a NATO-led defense expansion, Europe would require approximately 20,000 tonnes of nitrocellulose annually, leading to a potential supply deficit of at least 10,000 tonnes under the best-case scenario.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
