Demilitarization

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Ammunition disassembly and recycling

Controlled underground detonation

Photo showing part of the disassemble process at Nammo Sweden. Photo: Nammo

The market demand for the demilitarization of munitions within defense communities has steadily increased over the last 20 years. Nammo specializes in handling excess, outdated and obsolete conventional ammunition and explosive items. Our sites ensure the highest standards of safety and environmental consideration are applied within our processes; not only do these processes comply with European Union laws and regulations, but in many cases, they exceed them.

Long-term partnerships supplement Nammo’s teams of experts with key suppliers, such as waste management companies and international logistics providers, which means that we can offer customers a full project solution tailored to their specific needs.

Our facility in Norway, Nammo NAD, offers a total destruction process suitable for sensitive munitions, which uses closed detonation facilities located approximately 900 meters below the surface in a disused copper mine. Typically, Nammo NAD can process up to 2.5 tons Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ) per day, making this a unique and extremely fast process.

Charge placement. Photo: Nammo

Our site in Nammo Sweden AB specializes in ammunition disassembly, recovery and recycling of both energetics and components. Environmentally efficient, it operates to strict environmental regulations. With its recovery and recycling ability, this can make the demilitarization process very cost-effective.

Know-how

Disposing of stockpiled obsolete or surplus ammunition and explosives in a responsible manner is a principle that is shared by many countries. Nammo is able to safely, rapidly and cost-effectively dispose of such products while minimizing damage to the environment. Our teams have a culture of continuous project and process improvements, always seeking innovative solutions to the complex challenges of today’s demilitarization market. We achieve this through investment in research and development, ensuring we are constantly at the forefront of demilitarization capabilities and technological advances. Our demilitarization abilities span from small caliber conventional munitions, right through to aircraft bombs and missile systems. If necessary, we will undertake a complete store-clearing program on behalf of clients. Our technical experts can conduct customer product surveys and offer guidance on how best to run the demilitarization process.

Nammo logistics in operation. Photo: Nammo

Our logistics experts are on hand to offer the best solution for transportation by land or sea and  will assist with licencing and permits where required. They are specialist in hazardous cargo movement and logical handling.

Nammo logistics in operation. Photo: Nammo

Recycled TNT at Nammo Sweden AB. Photo: Nammo

Environmental Considerations

Nammo demilitarization plays a vital role in limiting the environmental and safety impact of outdated or obsolete munitions. Depending on customer requirements and the type of demilitarization project, we have the ability to recycle over 90 percent of all components that we handle. In addition, our sites meet and exceed all local and international environmental laws, and all sites prohibit any open burning or open detonation.

Nammo’s R3 Philosophy

Our philosophy for processing the ammunition is to remove the explosive content and then, where possible, recycle materials including the energetics and use them for other purposes in the civilian market. This is known as the R3 Philosophy and stands for Resources, Recovery and Recycling.

Nammo Demil – a Complete Solution