Austin Powder Supply Chain Enhances Efficiency and Cost Competitiveness The Austin Powder Argentina Supply Chain team has achieved certification approval for new packaging developed by Smurfit Kappa for Detonating Cord, ShockStar Detonators, and E*STAR Detonators. The approval expands Austin Powder Argentina’s portfolio of qualified packaging solutions, adding a cost-competitive option that meets the industry’s rigorous quality and safety standards. It also supports supply continuity, operational flexibility, and improved cost efficiency. This milestone reflects strong collaboration across multiple teams and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. “Thank you to the entire team. These developments require tremendous determination and perseverance, and they continue to deliver outstanding results,” says Maria Laura Cenci, Supply Chain Manager, Austin Powder Argentina Explosives Division. #innovationsthatmatter

Austin Powder’s Corporate Volunteer Program Achieves Record Growth In 2026, "The Will to Make a Difference," Austin Powder’s corporate volunteer program at the Juramento Plant welcomed employees and their family members to participate in projects supporting local communities. This more inclusive approach helped increase participation by 47%, growing from 32 volunteers in 2025 to 47 in 2026. Volunteers now represent 28% of the plant’s total workforce. Together, volunteers contributed to educational programs, environmental conservation, urban reforestation, community-space improvements, and public-health initiatives. Thank you to everyone who continues to share their time and talents to create positive, lasting community impact. #thepoweroffamily

Exciting News! The Paradigm Development Team is proud to announce the latest production release of Paradigm. A result of months of development, testing, and collaboration with users around the world, this release introduces powerful new capabilities designed to make blast planning, modelling, visualization, and auditing faster, smarter, and more intuitive than ever before. What's New? 🌎 Map Editor: Bring both 2D background and 3D terrain tiles into your session from Google Maps 🐍 Python Scripting: Command Paradigm with the Python programming language 📐 Excel and PowerPoint Custom Templates: Populate your own template with Paradigm ⏱️ E*Star: Support for bulk flash timing 🎯 Placement editor: Modify hole toe or collar positions in bulk 🦇 Underground: Improved hole label displays for ring and wall holes 💾 Optional binary file format: Results in smaller files, considerably faster loading and saving of blst files, plus better memory utilization. "The tools in this new release are a result of the feedback from our users and the hard work of the development team. I know there will be features in this new version that will help Austin Powder’s experts design better blasts,” says Alan Romphf - Global Blast Engineering Manager. We encourage all Paradigm users to download version 26.8.24, explore the new features, and share their feedback. This update marks another major step forward in delivering industry-leading blast design and modeling technology. Find out more about Paradigm at portal.austinpowder.com/ #innovationsthatmatter

Enjoy this blast video of the month from Austin Powder.

Austin Powder Is Modernizing its Operations by Transitioning from Coal to Natural Gas The change at the Austin Detonator plant is expected to reduce the site’s carbon footprint by approximately 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ per year, a 44% reduction, while also decreasing dust particles and other substances associated with coal combustion. This important energy upgrade supports more efficient operations, a lower product carbon footprint, and growing customer expectations for sustainability.

A well-designed pre-split blast leads to smooth, stable walls. Need a helping hand creating or evaluating your pre-split design? Austin Powder and Paradigm have you covered. With Paradigm's Pre-Split Designer, you can design your pre-split blast using your rock hardness and explosive properties. Send a pre-split charge rule to your library and charge your holes. Pre-Split Designer is another example of how Paradigm helps engineers and blasters work safer, smarter, and faster. Learn more about Paradigm blast design software at Paradigm.AustinPowder.com

Ethics and Governance: Building Trust Through Responsible Leadership At Austin Powder, sustainability is closely connected to the way we lead, make decisions, and create long-term value. Ethical conduct and strong governance provide the foundation for operating responsibly across our global organization. In 2025, we strengthened this foundation by creating the Global Sustainability Manager role and consolidating the Global Sustainability Team. Together, these steps bring 18 specialists from diverse regions and backgrounds into a more coordinated structure, helping us implement our Sustainability Strategy, improve global alignment, and keep our priorities locally relevant. Ethics remains central to how we work. Through the global relaunch of our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, we reaffirmed our commitment to transparency, accountability, respect, and responsible decision-making. Governance brings these commitments into practice. It is reflected in how we manage risks, engage with stakeholders, communicate progress, and integrate sustainability into everyday business decisions. Each of us contributes by acting with integrity, considering the broader impact of our work, and building trust through consistent actions. By strengthening ethics and governance, we help Austin Powder grow responsibly, protect our reputation, and build stronger relationships with employees, customers, partners, investors, and communities. As we move forward, these principles will continue to guide how we work and how we create value for the future. #innovationsthatmatter

Supporting Responsible Mining Through Collaboration Austin Powder was proud to sponsor Salta Mining Summit II, one of northern Argentina’s leading mining industry events. The summit brought together key stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore the challenges and opportunities shaping a mining sector focused on sustainability and competitiveness. Santiago Remón, General Manager of Austin Powder Argentina Explosives Division, joined the panel “Mining Suppliers and the Value Chain,” highlighting the importance of efficient, competitive solutions that create value across the industry. Mariana Faccio, LATAM Regional Manager of Institutional Relations and Communications, participated in “The Role of Communities in Sustainable Mining,” emphasizing active listening and transparent communication as essential to building long-term relationships based on trust. By sharing knowledge, learning from industry leaders, and fostering meaningful dialogue, Austin Powder continues to support responsible mining growth and a stronger value chain. #AustinPowder #SaltaMiningSummit #Mining #ResponsibleMining #Argentina #CommunityEngagement #MiningInnovation #Collaboration

Expanding Avalanche Control Solutions in Austria Following the successful installation of Austin Powder Avalauncher systems in Nauders and Obertauern, interest in technology continues to grow among Alpine infrastructure and ski resort operators. During a recent visit to Nauders, Stefan Uitz, Sales Director Austin Europe, and Wolfgang Aschauer, Head of Avalanche Blasting Technology, met with local stakeholders to discuss the system’s first winter season. Feedback has been very positive, with the Avalauncher demonstrating reliable performance under demanding winter conditions. Additional units are now being considered for the region. The technology was also presented in the Lech/Zürs am Arlberg area, where avalanche control is being explored for ski operations, roads, and transportation corridors. “The Avalauncher has a role alongside existing avalanche control methods,” said Uitz. “Its mobility allows operators to respond quickly to changing conditions, particularly when helicopter operations are restricted due to weather.” The continued interest reflects the growing need for reliable, flexible avalanche control solutions that help protect mountain operations and critical infrastructure.

Supporting Education and Building Stronger Communities in Brazil For the second consecutive year, Austin Powder Brazil supported PROERD, an educational program led by the Military Police of the State of Minas Gerais that helps prevent violence and drug use through education. During the June 29 graduation ceremony in Espírito Santo do Dourado, Austin Powder Brazil General Manager João Paulo Cristofolini presented bicycles to the two students with the highest academic achievement, recognizing their effort, discipline, and dedication. By investing in education and creating opportunities for young people, Austin Powder Brazil is helping build stronger, safer, and more sustainable communities. Living our values: We leverage the power of family. #AustinPowder #CommunityImpact #Education #PROERD #Brazil #PowerOfFamily #OneAustin

Photo of the Month "E*STAR Technology at the Edge" Photo taken by Ondrej Cermak, Senior Manager Blasting Technology in Etropole, Bulgaria

Enjoy this blast video of the month from Austin Powder!

One Team, One Vision: E*STAR Workshop Strengthens Global Collaboration E*STAR technical workshop held in July 2026 in the Czech Republic brought together key teams from multiple regions to align strategy and accelerate the development of E*STAR. The sessions focused on project structure, agile methodology, UX design, hardware platform decisions, specification control, and improvements in testing and feedback processes. Participants also saw a live demonstration of the early Logger 3 software prototype, confirming the viability of the selected architecture and user‑interface direction. The workshop helped unify priorities, clarify roles, and strengthen collaboration between R&D, EIS, manufacturing, and business teams. The atmosphere was open, constructive, and strongly delivery‑focused. “I would like to thank all participants for their commitment throughout the workshop. Meeting in person allowed us not only to align key technical priorities, but also to reinforce the personal connections that enable effective collaboration across our teams. I appreciate the professionalism and focus everyone brought, and I am proud of our shared dedication to delivering solutions that bring real value to our customers, “said Enes Kubat, Head of Customer Service at Austin Detonator.