NATO Allies Face Cotton Linter Undersupply for Gunpowder Production
Quick Look
- NATO allies are experiencing an undersupply of cotton linters, a crucial component for producing nitrocellulose (guncotton) used in artillery shell gunpowder, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
- European nations, historically reliant on China, are now seeking to boost domestic production and explore alternatives.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
NATO allies are facing a critical undersupply of cotton linters, a key component for producing gunpowder for artillery shells, according to The Wall Street Journal. European countries have historically relied on China for these linters.
NEW YORK, July 21. /TASS/. NATO allies are facing an undersupply of cotton, a key component in the production of gunpowder, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
According to the newspaper, linters, or the short fibers left on cotton seeds after processing, are converted to nitrocellulose, also known as guncotton. This flammable cotton product is used in the production of gunpowder for artillery shells.
While the United States grows most of its linters domestically, it wants to increase cotton linter production, The WSJ continued. European countries have long relied on China for linters and the manufactured compound since cotton cultivation largely disappeared, The Wall Street Journal wrote. Today, European governments are looking to boost the production of nitrocellulose as they are studying potential alternatives to linters.
Open Questions
- What specific alternatives to linters are being studied by European governments?
- How quickly can the US and Europe increase cotton linter and nitrocellulose production?
