[fireman15]

Black powder is fairly easy to produce. Why is it so difficult to get another facility up and running?

Black powder substitutes are cleaner burning and produce less fouling and are available to enthusiasts. Part of the problem is that the substitutes are preferred by most people.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013083717

[Freedom4US]

Because they have a nasty habit of blowing up, as this one did. Again.

[kiryandil]

Black powder is fairly easy to produce. Why is it so difficult to get another facility up and running?

One of the usual bugbears - costly regulations.

Also, with the US Army, it's apparently a case of unsteady demand.

[llevrok]

Black powder is fairly easy to produce. Why is it so difficult to get another facility up and running?

Environmental restrictions are a huge barrier to entry.

Have you seen similar new brick and mortar industries be built within a couple years of ground breaking? Like oil refineries, paper mills etc, it is nearly impossible to get through the permitting process - and also costly to do so too. If you had a billion to invest, why tie up your capital for 8-10 years before you can drive a nail?

[Widget Jr]

That’s what I am thinking. There has to be a half dozen manufacturers who can provide a substitute that is good enough quickly.