Explosives Global Market Report 2022, By Type, Application, Pyrotechnics Application

Executive Summary

Major players in the explosives market are Orica Mining Services, Sasol Limited, Austin Powder Company, Dyno Nobel, NOF Corp., BME Mining, China Poly Group, Chemring Group, Maxam Corp. and ENAEX.

The global explosives market is expected grow from $40.60 billion in 2021 to $42.30 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. The growth is mainly due to the companies resuming their operations and adapting to the new normal while recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. The market is expected to reach $49.87 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 4.2%.

The explosives market consists of revenues earned by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that are engaged in the production and distribution of explosives. Explosives refer to materials, mixtures, and chemical compounds that are capable of exploding. The explosives are majorly divided into two categories i.e., high explosives (used in defense & military applications) and low explosives (used in civilian applications). Trinitrotoluene (TNT), RDX, and acetone peroxide (TATP) are a few of the most powerful explosives that find their applications in military, mining, and industrial applications.

The main types of explosives are C4, HMX, PETN, RDX, Dynamite, ANFO, and others. C-4 is a plastic explosive with a design identical to Semtex which is employed by both military and terrorist groups. It has a reputation for generating both a buzz and a bang. The different pyrotechnics applications include a display, consumer, procimate, others and are used in military, mining, quarrying, construction, others.

Asia Pacific was the largest region in the explosives market in 2021. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the explosives market are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The contractors in the explosives market are currently resilient on the defense side as they are not affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in the short-to-mid term. The production has been affected due to disruption in the supply chain. However, the demand for the next couple of years is stable owing to the budgets that have been allotted for the projects in advance, before the outbreak of the pandemic. But the pandemic affects the demand from construction and mining sectors due to economic slowdown across countries owing to the COVID-19 outbreak and the measures to contain it.

The surge in government spending on the defense sector in various countries including the USA, China, India, Russia, the UK, and France is projected to be a major driver for the growth of the explosives market during the period. For instance, for the financial year 2020-21, the Indian Ministry of Defense has been allocated $66.9 billion (INR 471,378 crores) which constituted 15.5% of the central government’s total budget. Similarly, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the global military expenditure increased by 3.6% to reach $ 1,917 billion in 2019. Therefore, the rising government expenditure on the defense sector is anticipated to boost the demand for explosives from the defense sector over the forecast period.

Stringent regulations imposed by the government on the manufacturing and usage of explosives are expected to limit the growth of the explosives market. Explosives are harmful to the environment as well as for humans, therefore, stringent regulations are imposed on the production, storage, and use of civilian and military explosives. For instance, according to the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA), the state explosives laws are enforced by the Department of Construction Services (DCS) under CGS 29-349 guidelines. DCS mandates license and permit before transporting, using, procuring, manufacturing, selling, and storing explosives. Additionally, the government of Canada, according to the Explosives Regulations 2013, eliminated the purchase and possession permit issued by the vendors on behalf of the Explosives Regulatory division to ensure safety.

Major players operating in the explosives market are adopting various sustainable or green approaches to develop smart blasting to reduce the impact of explosives on the environment. For instance, AEL- Intelligent Blasting company announced plans to develop green solutions for mines in Francophone West Africa. In July 2019, the company announced to introduce the eco-formulation of surface emulsion that utilizes waste oil generated by the mines, which will help companies to reduce their carbon footprint. Therefore, the introduction of green approaches for smart blasting is a key trend shaping the growth of the explosives market.

In February 2020, Orica announced the acquisition of Exsa, industrial explosives manufacturer and distributor based in Peru, South America for $302 million. The acquisition is expected to establish Orica as one of the leading players in South America and to change Orica’s manufacturing footprint, drive competitive advantage, and enhance the company’s position in South America. Exsa is a Peruvian company engaged in providing solutions in rock fragmentation for infrastructure and mining industries.

The countries covered in the explosives market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK and USA.

Companies Mentioned

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes:

• Orica Mining Services
• Sasol Limited
• Austin Powder Company
• Dyno Nobel
• NOF Corp.
• BME Mining
• China Poly Group
• Chemring Group
• Maxam Corp.
• ENAEX
• Incitec Pivot
• AECI Group
• Pyro Company Fireworks
• ePC Group
• Alliant Techsystems
• AEL Mining Services
• Titanobel SAS
• Hanwha Corp.
• Solar Industries India
• LSB Industries
• Zambelli Fireworks
• Melrose Pyrotechnics
• Angelfire Pyrotechnics
• Skyburst
• Howard & Sons
• Supreme Fireworks UK
• Entertainment Fire-works
• Celebration Fireworks
• Impact Pyro
• Societe Nationale Des Poudres Et Explosifs (SNPE)

Methodology