Sweden reverts to traditional methods in war technology with its first TNT factory since the Cold War.

      A Swedish startup is bringing defence technology back to its fundamentals by establishing the nation’s first TNT factory since the Cold War. Based in Stockholm, Swebal has secured a €3 million investment for the facility, which is set to become fully operational by late 2027. Situated in Nora, a town about three hours from the capital, the factory is expected to produce over 4,000 tonnes of TNT annually.

      Investors in the project include Thomas von Koch, co-founder of the venture capital firm EQT, serial entrepreneur Pär Svärdson, and Sweden's former army chief, Major General Karl Engelbrektson. Joakim Sjöblom, the founder of Swebal, stated that the funding would expedite the construction of the factory, which he hopes will enhance European security.

      “The investment will help us fast-track towards final approvals, allowing us to start construction as soon as possible,” he noted. “This aligns with our goal to reinforce Europe’s defence resilience and ensure long-term security by addressing crucial shortages in ammunition production.”

      TNT, or trinitrotoluene, is a potent explosive utilized in various applications ranging from artillery shells to air-dropped bombs. Currently, Europe has access to only about 6,000 tonnes of locally produced TNT each year, while Russia is estimated to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes annually.

      Pär Svärdson, who founded two prominent Swedish tech companies, Apotea and Adlibris, expressed that investing in local TNT production is a sensible move considering the ongoing security issues in Europe. “Sweden requires a robust defence — but behind that defence, we must also have a capable Swedish defence industry,” he remarked. “Thus, investing in the Swedish defence sector feels natural — both to contribute and because it may prove to be a very wise investment.”

      This investment comes during a broader surge in defence technology within Europe, as political leaders increasingly seek to incorporate technologies like drones, submarines, and AI-driven weaponry. However, in contrast to high-tech warfare, Swebal’s TNT plant is situated within the traditional ammunition production sector, predominantly dominated by one entity: Poland’s Nitro-Chem, Europe’s leading military-grade TNT producer.

      Swebal’s aspirations for a TNT factory still necessitate additional regulatory approvals from the Swedish government before construction can begin. Sjöblom is optimistic that the recent investment will expedite this process.