Smokeless Gunpowder Market, Global Outlook and Forecast 2024-2030

The "Global Smokeless Gunpowder Market" was valued at US$ 2.55 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 3.53 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.82% during the forecast period.

The global smokeless gunpowder industry is a specialized segment within the broader ammunition and explosives market, characterized by the production and distribution of smokeless powders used primarily in firearms and ammunition. Unlike traditional black powder, smokeless gunpowder produces significantly less smoke when ignited, allowing for improved visibility during shooting and enhanced performance in firearms. This has made it the preferred choice for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooting sports. The industry is driven by various factors, including increasing defense budgets, rising demand for firearms, and the growing popularity of recreational shooting activities. Technological advancements in the formulation of smokeless powders have also contributed to market growth, with manufacturers focusing on improving the efficiency, stability, and safety of their products. The market is segmented into various types of smokeless powders, such as single-base, double-base, and triple-base powders, each tailored for specific applications. While North America and Europe remain significant markets due to their established firearm culture and military presence, Asia-Pacific is emerging as a key growth region, driven by increasing military expenditures and a burgeoning civilian firearms market. However, the industry faces challenges, including stringent regulations, environmental concerns, and competition from alternative propellants, necessitating innovation and adaptability among manufacturers to sustain growth. Overall, the global smokeless gunpowder market is poised for continued expansion as demand for effective and reliable ammunition solutions rises across various sectors.

Segmental Overview

Double Base Gunpowder to hold the highest market share: By Type

In terms of type the global Smokeless Gunpowder Market has been segmented as Single Base Gunpowder, Double Base Gunpowder, and Three Base Gunpowder

Double base gunpowder has the highest market share in the worldwide smokeless gunpowder industry. This type of gunpowder is preferred for its exceptional strength output and adaptability in a variety of applications, such as army ammunition, carrying firearms, and hunting. It is mostly made up of nitrocellulose and a 2D energetic compound like nitroglycerin. Its technology is suitable for a large range of weapons since it offers an amazing balance between performance and balance. Single base gunpowder, which is mostly made of nitrocellulose, also accounts for a sizable share of the market, especially in applications that favour lower temperature combustion and less muzzle flash. However, in terms of power density and standard adaptability, it typically no longer maintains the performance characteristics of double base gunpowder.

A smaller portion of the market is occupied by three base gunpowder, which contains nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and other substances. Compared to single and double base powders, it offers superior performance for special packages, but its extensive application is limited by its manufacture and methodological complexity.

Overall, double base gunpowder's dominance in the market can be attributed to its efficiency, adaptability, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of both military and civilian users, making it the preferred choice in the smokeless gunpowder sector.

Military to hold the highest market share: By End Use Industry

The military industry is expected to hold the largest market share in the worldwide smokeless gunpowder market. The substantial use of smokeless gunpowder is fuelled by the military's ongoing need for high-performance ammunition for defence, combat training, and operational preparedness. Smokeless gunpowder is an indispensable substance for military applications that demand strong, dependable, and consistent propellants for a variety of weapons and artillery. The sporting and hunting sector accounts for a significant share of the market, after the military. The need for smokeless powders for civilian weapons is fuelled by the rising popularity of hunting, competitive shooting, and recreational shooting activities, especially in North America and Europe.

Since police and security forces depend on ammunition for both training and operational needs, the law enforcement industry also contributes significantly. In contrast to the military and sports industries, their demand is lower. A smaller portion of the market is occupied by the others group, which covers specialised usage including pyrotechnics and industrial application.

Overall, the military sector's large-scale requirements for ammunition make it the dominant end-user in the global smokeless gunpowder market, with strong support from government defense budgets and ongoing geopolitical tensions driving growth in this segment.

Regional Overview

The global smokeless gunpowder market is shaped by diverse regional dynamics, with North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region playing key roles in driving market growth.

The market for smokeless gunpowder is dominated by North America, especially the United States, because of its robust defence sector, sizable civilian guns market, and strong demand for ammunition for hunting and shooting for fun. With the help of large defence expenditures, the US military and law enforcement are major consumers. North America's dominant position in the market is further strengthened by the robust gun culture in the United States, which drives demand in the hunting and sporting industries.

With nations like Germany, France, and the United Kingdom playing important roles in both the defence and civilian weapon industries, Europe is another sizable market. The demand for smokeless gunpowder in the area is influenced by both the expansion of leisure shooting activities and defence budgets. The business is also supported by Europe's long history of hunting and rifle craftsmanship. However, the region's expansion is slightly moderated by strict laws governing civilian firearms and ammunition. The market for smokeless gunpowder is expected to increase significantly in the Asia-Pacific region. The need for military-grade ammunition is being driven by rising defence spending in nations like China, India, and South Korea. Additionally, the demand for smokeless gunpowder among civilians is rising due to increased interest in sport shooting and hunting, especially in Australia and some parts of Southeast Asia. The demand for defence and security solutions keeps driving market expansion as geopolitical tensions in the area increase. There are smaller but expanding markets for smokeless gunpowder in other regions, such as the Middle East and Latin America. Military and law enforcement organisations are the main drivers of demand in Latin America, whereas geopolitical unrest in the Middle East is driving an increase in defence spending. Additionally, recreational hunting and shooting are becoming more popular in these areas, which raises demand overall.

Competitive Analysis

• Eurenco
• MAXAM Corp
• Hodgdon
• Vihta Vuori
• Shooters World
• Accurate Powder
• Alliant Powder
• Australian Munitions
• Rheinmetall Defence
• Forcit
• General Dynamics
• BAE Systems
• Ramshot
• Winchester
• Other Key Players

Recent Development:

 June 21, 2024, In order to prepare for the increased supply of propellants and explosives, EURENCO, the European leader in energetic materials, announced the deepening of its long-standing partnership with Saab, a prominent defence and security firm.

September 30th, 2024, The U.S. industrial corporation Honeywell and Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to forge strategic collaboration in a number of technological domains. Among other things, the two businesses plan to work together on innovative visual systems and auxiliary power units for automobiles. Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said: “From auxiliary power units and visual devices to building automation, the list of potential areas of cooperation for our two companies is long. We are grateful to have gained Honeywell as a strategic partner given their long history of innovation and broad technological portfolio.”

September 20^th, 2024,    Rheinmetall and MBDA Deutschland have decided to continue their successful cooperation in the field of laser weapons. The goal is to launch a collaborative maritime solution in the next five to six years, which creates new opportunities, especially for shipboard drone defence. Both businesses are certain that they can successfully construct a military laser weapon system because of their complimentary laser weapon technology skills. Now, the businesses have reached a matching collaboration agreement.

End Use Industry Analysis

The market for smokeless gunpowder is mostly driven by its application in the military and defence industries, where it is a vital propellant in guns and artillery. Total global military expenditure reached $2443 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. Due to the demand for ammunition for hunting and shooting sports, the sports and hunting industries also make a substantial contribution. The market is steadily expanding as these activities become more and more popular in places like North America and Europe. Demand is also fuelled by the increase of civilian gun ownership, particularly in nations with laxer gun laws. Nonetheless, laws governing the manufacture and use of smokeless gunpowder as well as environmental concerns are increasingly influencing the direction of the sector. The stability of the market is also impacted by defence spending, technological developments in weapons, and geopolitical conflicts.

Industry Dynamics

Industry Trend

Increasing demand for advanced, high-performance powders

The growing need for high-performance, cutting-edge powders that are especially designed to satisfy the requirements of contemporary firearms and ammunition systems is a significant development in the smokeless gunpowder market. The need for propellants that are more accurate, dependable, and efficient has increased significantly as both the military and commercial sectors change. The military needs smokeless powders that provide superior ballistic performance, such as faster muzzle velocity, improved precision, and greater consistency across a range of climatic circumstances, due to developments in weaponry and battle technology. Customisation and performance optimisation are crucial because these powders need to be dependable in a variety of applications, from small guns to massive artillery. Similarly, in order to increase accuracy and dependability during competitions, shooters in the sporting and competitive shooting segments want powders that offer a steady energy output and less fouling. In order to lessen gun wear, hunters, reloading hobbyists, and competitive shooters are searching for powders that offer not only great energy but also accuracy and cleaner burning.

Manufacturers are being pushed to innovate by this emphasis on performance, creating powders with better formulas to satisfy particular requirements, such as powders that are optimised for use in particular calibres or for temperature stability. Due of consumer need for goods that provide more than just basic functionality, these developments are not only improving ammunition's performance but also growing the market. The demand for sophisticated smokeless gunpowder that can satisfy end users' elevated expectations is anticipated to propel additional development and market expansion as the worldwide weapon and ammunition markets expand.

Industry Drivers

Rising global defense expenditure

The growing worldwide defence budget is one of the main factors propelling the smokeless gunpowder market. Governments all around the world are making significant investments in updating their armed forces as geopolitical tensions and security concerns rise. Smokeless gunpowder is essential for improving the efficiency and performance of firearms and artillery systems, and this includes the purchase of sophisticated weapons and ammunition. High-quality military-grade propellants are becoming more and more in demand as nations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific prioritise defence readiness. The value of military spending globally has grown steadily in the past years and reached 2.44 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023.

For example, there is a constant need for ammunition that uses smokeless gunpowder since major military powers like the United States, China, and India are always spending large sums of money to improve their defence capabilities. Furthermore, there is a constant demand for dependable, high-performance gunpowder due to the necessity of training and war drills. Moreover, the rise in defense spending is not limited to traditional military forces. Law enforcement agencies and Special Forces are also benefiting from increased government budgets, particularly in regions dealing with heightened internal security threats or counterterrorism operations. As a result, the growing defense and security sector continues to be a dominant force in driving the smokeless gunpowder market, ensuring consistent demand for military applications, while also spurring innovation in the development of more advanced and efficient propellant

technologies.

Industry Restraint

Stringent Regulatory Environment

The strict regulations governing the manufacture, distribution, and use of explosives and ammunition provide a serious barrier to the smokeless gunpowder market. Because smokeless gunpowder is dangerous, governments all over the world—especially in North America and Europe—have put in place stringent laws to guarantee its safe use, storage, and transportation. Production costs are raised in order to comply with these laws, which call for a large investment in safety precautions, specialised machinery, and adherence to environmental norms.

Additionally, the market size for recreational and sports ammunition has been constrained by increasingly stringent legislation restricting civilian firearm ownership, particularly in industrialised areas. For example, the demand for smokeless gunpowder in the hunting and sporting industries may decline as a result of stricter gun control legislation in some U.S. states and Europe. Environmental restrictions that attempt to reduce the chemical pollutants produced during the manufacturing and combustion of smokeless powders also put pressure on manufacturers, raising the expense of research and development for environmentally friendly substitutes.

These regulatory obstacles restrict the possibility for overall expansion by posing obstacles to both new and current manufacturers. Operating expenses are increased by following these requirements, and noncompliance may result in fines, restricted access to markets, or even product bans. Therefore, managing the industry's complicated regulatory environment is a significant barrier that could impede innovation and market growth.

Report Scope

The report includes Global & Regional market status and outlook for 2017-2028. Further, the report provides breakdown details about each region & countries covered in the report. Identifying its sales, sales volume & revenue forecast. With detailed analysis by Types, Application, End Use Industry, Gun Size, Distribution Channel. The report also covers the key players of the industry including Company Profile, Product Specifications, Production Capacity/Sales, Revenue, Price, and Gross Margin 2017-2028 & Sales with a thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors and comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of major market vendors.