The Rheinmetall AG takes over Hagedorn-NC GmbH, headquartered in Osnabrück, Lower Saxony. In Lingen an der Ems, the long-established company has been manufacturing industrial nitrocellulose for civilian applications for more than 100 years. As part of the takeover, relevant parts of production are to be converted to military applications.
The acquisition strengthens Rheinmetall’s capacity to manufacture propellants for all types of ammunition, especially 155-millimeter artillery ammunition.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: “The acquisition helps us to close a strategic bottleneck in the production of propellants. With the acquisition, we are securing access to an important source of raw materials and are focusing on the entire value chain in ammunition production. We look forward to welcoming the current 90 or so employees of Hagedorn-NC to the Rheinmetall Group and offering them a secure future.”
Gerd Hofmann, CEO of Hagedorn AG: “I am very pleased to have gained a new owner for Hagedorn-NC in Rheinmetall, which will offer the company new perspectives and growth opportunities. I am convinced that both companies will work well together.”
Nitrocellulose is an essential energetic component of propellant powders. These are used to propel artillery ammunition, among other things. Nitrocellulose is produced by reacting cellulose with nitrating acids. Rheinmetall currently produces nitrocellulose at three locations: Wimmis (Switzerland), Murcia (Spain) and in Wellington (South Africa). The takeover means that the Group has gained a further site.
Existing customers of Hagedorn-NC GmbH in the civilian sector will initially continue to be supplied. In the coming months, production will focus on military nitrocellulose.
According to a recent press release, with this step Rheinmetall is “further expanding its position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of medium and large caliber ammunition and securing the long-term and independent supply of essential components for production”. As a systems supplier, Rheinmetall offers the “full shot” from a single source: the projectile, the fuze, the explosive charge and the propellant charge.
Here for further reports on Rheinmetall.
