Defense|Supply Chain|Industrial — NATO Militaries Face Guncotton Shortage For Ammunition Production

A shortage of nitrocellulose, or guncotton, is a critical bottleneck for NATO countries seeking to ramp up ammunition production in response to geopolitical tensions. The indispensable propellant, made from cotton linters, is in limited supply, with Europe historically reliant on China. Defense firms are now restarting dormant factories, exploring alternative materials like wood pulp, and seeking to boost self-sufficiency to counter the supply chain vulnerability.