SIC code 20510 — Manufacture of explosives — is a specialist classification with 21 active companies in the UK. Despite its small size, this category represents an important part of the manufacturing sector. It falls under Section C (Manufacturing) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Manufacture of explosives industry page.
With an average age of 32.0 years, companies in this sector tend to be well-established. This maturity reflects high barriers to entry and strong business continuity among surviving firms. This is a mature sector with deep roots: 33% of active companies were established before 1990. While 19% of companies formed since 2020, the sector's backbone consists of long-established businesses.
SIC code 20510 stands for "Manufacture of explosives" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section C — Manufacturing. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 21 active companies registered under SIC code 20510 in the UK, out of 23 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 91%, meaning 9% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
Formation rates for SIC 20510 have been moderate: 19% of active companies formed since 2020, compared to 10% in the 2010s. The sector appears stable, with a balanced mix of established and newer businesses.
Companies classified under SIC 20510 have an average age of 32.0 years. This indicates a mature sector where businesses tend to operate long-term. Notable companies include CHEMRING COUNTERMEASURES LIMITED, PW DEFENCE LTD.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 20420 (Manufacture of perfumes and toilet preparations), 20590 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.), 20411 (Manufacture of soap and detergents), 20301 (Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 20510 (Manufacture of explosives) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 21 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.