The use of conventional cartridges with lead ammunition for hunting is a major source of pollution that poisons and kills many birds, in addition to the environmental impact generated on the areas in which these activities take place. Lead shots and/or bullets projected with each shot, disperse and may be inadvertently ingested by certain animals and birds, producing the well known “lead poisoning” or “poisoning” effect. A chronic poisoning caused by the absorption of lead or/and certain salts in their bodies.
As a result of this proven pollution European authorities and consequently the Spanish institutions as well, have set in recent years the target of a progressive and inexorable substitution of lead in all kind of products and components, including among them the ammunition used for hunting.
Given this complex situation, the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness has approved the funding and implementation of the “Green Shot” Project within the program COLLABORATION CHALLENGES 2014. A remarkable research project with has the main objective of developing an alternative to the current lead ammunition.
A lead-free ammunition that ensures the mechanical and ballistic properties of the actual shots, that could be used as well with existing weapons.
A team of researchers from the Metallurgical Technical Center IK4-Azterlan, along with technicians and specialists from two other companies belonging to the hunting and cartridge industry, will work within the next three years on this project with the main objective of developing an ecological non-lead ammunition.
