Welcome to the Institute of Makers of Explosives
IME is the trusted voice of the commercial explosives industry.
For more than 110 years, the Institute has represented manufacturers, distributors and users of commercial explosives and other companies that provide related products and services to the industry. Often referred to as the ultimate power tool, commercial explosives are essential for quarrying, mining critical minerals, producing both traditional (oil and natural gas) and renewable sources of energy, construction, and demolition. Commercial explosives are used in all 50 states and are essential to our modern way of life.
The commercial explosives industry employs more than 15,500 workers and supports more than 60,000 jobs contributing $19.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
If you use or consume it, explosives make it possible.
What We Do
- Public Policy/Advocacy
- Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
- Technical Expertise
- Educational Resources
- Communications
- Conferences/Networking Opportunities
- Industry Data and Statistics
Our Mission
IME's mission is to promote the safe and secure manufacture, transport, distribution, and use of commercial explosives.
Our History
At the encouragement of government regulators, IME was founded in 1913 in Chicago at the Congress Annex Hotel to develop best practices for the industry to stem the proliferation of accidents involving explosives operations. Since then, the Institute has been a trusted voice in the development of comprehensive recommendations and guidelines for the distribution and use of commercial explosives. These recommendations, also known as Safety Library Publications (SLPs), have been incorporated into many federal, state, and local regulations governing safety and security in the manufacturing, transportation, storage, handling, and use of explosive materials used in blasting and other essential operations.
In addition to developing SLPs and making them widely available, the Institute provides consumption data of commercial explosives to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on an annual basis.
For more than 110 years of work, the IME has ensured the safety and protection of our employees, consumers, and the environment.