{"id":70559,"date":"2025-08-28T23:07:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T21:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/?p=70559"},"modified":"2025-10-16T23:11:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T21:11:08","slug":"lukasiewicz-research-network-strengthens-polands-sovereignty-in-the-production-of-explosives-and-ammunition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lukasiewicz.gov.pl\/en\/lukasiewicz-research-network-strengthens-polands-sovereignty-in-the-production-of-explosives-and-ammunition\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141ukasiewicz Research Network strengthens Poland’s sovereignty in the production of explosives and ammunition"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

\u0141ukasiewicz Research Network has launched two strategic research and development projects aimed at strengthening Poland’s sovereignty in ammunition production. The projects involve the development of domestic technologies for the production of nitrocellulose and nitroguanidine, essential components of multi-base powders and rocket fuels, which form the basis of modern ammunition.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In both cases, the planned results will not only reduce the unit costs of ammunition production, but above all, make the Polish defense industry independent of foreign supplies of raw materials and technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not just a scientific project, it is a strategic investment in the security and sovereignty of our country. Today, we are taking a step that makes us independent of foreign supplies and shows that modern technologies can be developed here in Poland with defense and sustainable development in mind,\u201d says Minister of Science and Higher Education Marcin Kulasek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim of the first project is to develop a technology to produce nitrocellulose based on cellulose recovered from wood and cotton waste and other waste materials. This will enable Poland to reduce imports \u2013 today, over 70 percent of Europe’s cellulose demand is covered by Asian supplies \u2013 and at the same time strengthen the circular economy. PLN 8.5 million has been allocated for this task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second project, with a budget of PLN 5.1 million, involves the development and verification of nitroguanidine synthesis technology. This substance is produced from urea, a chemical compound widely used in agriculture and the chemical industry, which is produced on a large scale in Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These activities are in line with three of the four strategic directions of the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network: National Defense and Security, Chemistry for Industry, and Circular Economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProviding technological components for the defense sector is our key task,\u201d says Hubert Cichocki, President of the \u0141ukasiewicz Center. \u201cThese two projects are a concrete, practical example of such activity. Thanks to them, solutions that are key to ammunition programs will be developed,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research work, as part of the task commissioned by the President of the \u0141ukasiewicz Center, is being carried out by two institutes in the network: \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Institute of Industrial Chemistry (\u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 IChP, project leader) and \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 Institute of Organic Industry (\u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 IPO). \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 IChP offers expertise in advanced chemical synthesis and unit processes, as well as a well-developed research infrastructure, while \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 IPO offers expertise in working with explosives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both institutes employ a total of over 500 specialists with the experience necessary to solve technological problems and implement the results of R&D work in the economy. The activities are coordinated by the \u0141ukasiewicz Center. The technology for obtaining nitrocellulose will be ready for implementation within two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe projects of the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network are in line with the needs of the defense industry,\u201d says retired Polish Army General Mieczys\u0142aw Cieniuch, former Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Army. He adds: \u201cThis will allow us to become independent from external suppliers more quickly in the production of the basic \u2018means of combat\u2019, which is large-caliber ammunition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cooperation with Grupa Azoty<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Grupa Azoty is interested in the results of \u0141ukasiewicz’s projects. Since November last year, it has been working on the construction of a nitrocellulose plant and intends to develop nitroguanidine production technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have many years of experience in supplying manufacturers of high-energy materials with the raw materials necessary for their production. In response to the needs of the Polish arms industry, we want to take our activities a few steps further, comments Andrzej Skolmowski, President of the Management Board of Grupa Azoty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“In our updated business strategy, we anticipate the development of the high-energy products sector and the manufacture of products such as nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin, and nitroguanidine. We work closely with the Polish Armaments Group, and the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network provides us with the necessary research and development support in this area,” adds President Skolmowski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is worth recalling that at the end of 2024, Grupa Azoty and the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network signed a Letter of Intent concerning, among other things, cooperation in the field of defense and national security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

160 million from the National Reconstruction Plan for the development of Polish chemistry<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As the leader of the \u0141ukasiewicz project, IChP brings together the experience of several generations of Polish chemists. Exactly one hundred years ago, construction began on the headquarters in Warsaw’s \u017boliborz district, where the institute has been operating continuously to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The research infrastructure of \u0141ukasiewicz \u2013 IChP is currently being expanded with additional advanced laboratories, and the technological and analytical facilities are being upgraded as part of the \u201cMo\u015bcicki Campus\u201d project, co-financed by the National Reconstruction Plan with nearly PLN 160 million. As a result, it will be one of the most modern chemical centers in Europe.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t