Taiwan imposes export controls on nitrocellulose to prevent supplies to Russia

Taiwan has imposed export controls on high-density nitrocellulose, a key explosive precursor Russia needs to produce gunpower, and so far, there is no record of Taiwanese exports of such a substance, according to Taiwan's International Trade Administration (ITA), Report informs, citing Taiwan Focus.

The ITA said on Friday that Taiwan already has in place export controls for high-density nitrocellulose, in which the nitrogen content accounts for more than 12.2 percent of the particular chemical material.

Citing trade records, the ITA said no company in Taiwan produces high-density nitrocellulose, and no outbound sales of such an explosive precursor from any Taiwanese firms have ever been recorded by the administration.

According to the ITA, the global sales value of low-density nitrocellulose, which means nitrogen accounts for less than 12.2 percent of nitrocellulose, hit US$836 million in 2023, and Taiwan's exports totaled US$43.80 million, making up only 5.2 percent of the world's total.

The ITA said the major buyers of Taiwan-made nitrocellulose were Vietnam, the US, and Malaysia, which accounted for 47 percent of Taiwan's total exports last year.