Welcome to the Institute of Makers of Explosives
IME is the trusted voice of the commercial explosives industry.
For over 100 years, the Institute has represented manufacturers of commercial explosives and other companies that provide related products and services to the industry. Commercial explosives manufacturers contribute $4 billion annually to the U.S. economy and employ nearly 10,000 workers in the United States.
Commercial explosives are essential to energy production, communications, technology manufacturing, highway and building construction, the healthcare delivery system, agriculture, and the manufacturing of nearly all metals and mineral products.
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.
Over 100 years of work of the IME has ensured the safety and protection of our employees, consumers, and the environment.
