Explosives Market Report 2026

The explosives market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $41.47 billion in 2025 to $44.16 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in mining and construction activities driving demand for blasting and bulk explosives, rising military utilization of high explosives for defense operations, development of perforating explosives for oil and gas well completions, advancements in special-application explosives for precision industrial uses, expansion of manufacturing capacity among major explosives producers.

The explosives market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $57.21 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for high-performance explosives in defense modernization programs, rising mining exploration and infrastructure projects requiring controlled blasting, development of safer and more environmentally friendly explosive formulations, growing automation in blasting operations enhancing efficiency and product demand, expansion of oil and gas drilling activities supporting use of perforating explosives. Major trends in the forecast period include rise in demand for advanced blasting solutions in mining operations, increasing adoption of safer and water-resistant explosive formulations, growing use of precision detonators for enhanced operational efficiency, expansion of commercial construction activities driving explosives consumption, increased production of specialized military-grade explosive compounds.

An increasing number of terrorist attacks is expected to drive the growth of the explosives market. A terrorist attack refers to any violent act or threat of violence intended to create fear and intimidation in order to achieve a political, religious, or ideological objective. Explosives are used in training exercises to prepare law enforcement and military personnel to respond effectively to such threats. For instance, in February 2024, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace, an Australia-based think tank, the Global Terrorism Index reported that terrorism deaths outside Afghanistan rose by 4% in 2023 compared with 2022. Therefore, the rising incidence of terrorist activities is driving the growth of the explosives market.

Leading companies in the explosives market are developing advanced products, such as bulk explosives systems, to enhance safety, minimize handling risks, and improve efficiency. A bulk explosives system is an industrial setup specifically designed for the production, transportation, and delivery of large quantities of explosives, typically employed in mining, construction, and quarrying operations for effective on-site blasting applications. For example, in March 2023, Orica, an Australia-based explosives manufacturer, introduced Subtek 4D. This product offers the widest energy range available in the underground market, enabling precise energy matching to meet various rock properties and mining design requirements. With this innovative solution, underground operators gain exceptional control over energy delivery using a single explosive formulation. By utilizing this technology, users can achieve optimal mining outcomes while promoting sustainable blasting practices.

In August 2023, Rheinmetall AG, a Germany-based automotive and arms manufacturer, acquired Expal Systems for $1.27 billion. Through this acquisition, Rheinmetall aims to fortify its core business in weapons, ammunition, and propellants. Expal Systems, a Spain-based defense and space manufacturing company, is globally recognized for its extensive product portfolio, including artillery ammunition, mortar and medium-caliber rounds, fuses, and rocket propulsion systems. The acquisition significantly enhances Rheinmetall's existing product portfolio, particularly in the rapidly growing market for artillery and mortar ammunition, as well as mortar systems.

Major companies operating in the explosives market are Orica Limited, AECI Limited, Incitec Pivot Ltd., Hanwha Corporation, ENAEX S.A., Austin Powder Company, Omnia Group, China Poly Group Corporation, Chemring Group, Maxamcorp Holding S.L., Premier Explosives Ltd, Solar Industries India Ltd, Gocl Corporation Ltd, Kayaku Japan Co., Ltd, Ysk Inc, Dyno Nobel, Johnson Hi-Tech (Australia) Pty Ltd, Ui Energy Corporation, Jun Poong Industrial Co., Ltd, Anhui Jiangnan Chemical Co., Ltd, Cbi Explosives Industry Group, Hse Explosives, Orica Uk Ltd, Maxam - Mining Technology, Societe Suisse Des Explosifs, Sse Group, Biazzi Sa, Azottech, Ao Nmp Spark, Nitro Sibir, Hunting Plc, Geodynamics, Accurate Energetic Systems Llc, Maine Drilling And Blasting, Dynaenergetics Us, Inc, Exsa Sa, Keltec Energies, Economic Explosives, Ibp Co, Noble Explochem, Detotec North America Inc., Modern Chemicals and Services Company, Drill And Blast, Eurenco Sa, Nof Corp, Ael Mining Services Ltd./ Aeci Group, Sasol Limited, Bme (Bulk Mining Explosive), Titanobel.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the explosives market in 2025. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global explosives market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the explosives market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the explosives market by increasing the cost of key raw materials such as ammonium nitrate, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, thereby raising production expenses for civil and military explosives. These impacts are most pronounced in regions reliant on cross-border chemical imports, including Asia-Pacific and Latin America, and affect segments such as ANFO, RDX, PETN, and mining and construction applications. Military procurement cycles also experience cost pressures due to higher input prices. Some positive effects emerge as governments and manufacturers invest in localized chemical production capacity, reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic supply resilience.

The explosives market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides explosives market statistics, including explosives industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an explosives market share, detailed explosives market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the explosives industry. This explosives market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Explosives are substances, mixtures, and chemical compounds with the capability of undergoing explosive reactions. The two primary categories of explosives are high explosives, utilized in defense and military contexts, and low explosives, employed in civilian applications.

The key types of explosives include C4, HMX, PETN, RDX, Dynamite, ANFO, and others. C-4, a plastic explosive sharing a design with Semtex, finds application in both military and terrorist activities, known for its efficacy in creating both attention and impact. These explosives are used across various industries, including military, mining, quarrying, construction, and others, in applications such as display, consumer, process, and other pyrotechnics.

The countries covered in the explosives market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The explosives market consists of sales of blasting and bulk explosives, perforating explosives, and special-application explosives. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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