Ah yes, security issue grounds. Those are the same grounds brought to you by
American Pacific Chemical’s lobbyists that are trying to legislate “Buy
America” AP from the monopoly at $23.00/lb. AMPAC shareholders are getting
anxious. Chinese AP is also on the embargo list, but I know of at least one
group (outside of the government) that has imported it domestically. It doesn’t
appear to show up on the radar for some reason. Our Canadian plant has
purchased Chinese AP in the past for various NATO ally and commercial products
where “ITAR free” has been specified. In 15K~30K pound lots, it can be landed
for around $7.00 or less per pound. Interestingly enough, it is a finer cut and
has better ballistics than most of the AMPAC variety. You can also order it
from SMPE France and AEQ in Brazil, although getting either company to return a
phone call can be a challenge. Obtaining export documentation from France is
also a bit of a nightmare. Bristol Aerospace has also qualified a some of its
products using Chinese and Brazilian AP.
Canada has a surplus of electrolytic capacity and is the worlds largest
producer of AP precursor. The majority of it for that application goes to Utah
IIRC. In 2006 I commissioned a university study to design a 100,000 pound per
year ammonium perchlorate plant and to conduct a feasibility study. At that
time, it could produce AP in the $7~$10/lb. range. My last quote from AMPAC,
which they stipulate is confidential, was much higher than that. They base the
price on the customer and the program apparently.
Anthony J. Cesaroni
President/CEO
Cesaroni Technology/Cesaroni Aerospace
<http://www.cesaronitech.com/> http://www.cesaronitech.com/
(941) 360-3100 x101 Sarasota
(905) 887-2370 x222 Toronto
From: arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <arocket-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of
William Claybaugh
Sent: Sunday, August 5, 2018 10:08 AM
To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AR] Re: Trimodal AP
Jim:
Thanks, that is a very interesting post.
Just FYI, some solid rocket makers have tried purchasing foreign AP, the
incumbent manufacturer has gone to DOD and the Hill to stop it on the grounds
that it is a national security issue....
Bill