First, there is worldwide pressure on ammunition production capacity because of all the ammunition being consumed in ongoing conflicts, especially in Ukraine. The materials used to make propellants for artillery rounds are the same as those used to make small arms propellants. Many countries have ramped up production of ammunition and its precursors, including most of Europa
...the land mass occupying the space between the English Channel and the Urals, also known as Moslem Lebensraum...and the U.S.
The primary production bottleneck seems to be nitrocellulose. Nitrocellulose for propellants can be obtained from various plant fibers, including forest products. However,
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the preferred source is cotton. The bottleneck is in the plant’s capacity to convert cotton into what is called "defense-grade" nitrocellulose.
Alliant is owned by Vista Outdoor, which also owns several other companies that produce loaded ammunition, including CCI, Federal, and Remington. Alliant sources its propellants from Sweden, Switzerland
...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell...
, Canada, and the Radford Army Arsenal in Virginia.
Because the ammunition manufacturers under the Vista umbrella are stressed in obtaining the propellants they need for their production, Vista appears to have made the business decision to commit all of the Alliant propellant capacity to Vista ammunition manufacturers. Thus, Alliant withdrew from shipment and sold propellants for reloading.
The ammunition marketplace seems to be recovering from a shortage of loaded ammunition and small arms primers. Prices are relaxing from the recent highs, and retail shelves are mostly well stocked. However,
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Alliant’s withdrawal from the reloading powder market will likely stress supplies of propellant for reloaders. Further, reloaders who have worked up and used favorite loads of Alliant powders may need to shift to using other brands and products.