Digital blasting innovations drive EPC-UK Hillhead showcase

EPC-UK, specialists in drilling, blasting and commercial explosives, will use Hillhead 2026 to showcase their latest technology-led solutions to improve blast performance and deliver greater value to customers.

Central to the company’s offering will be its upgraded EXPERTIR blast-design software, a key component of EPC’s growing digital ecosystem. The platform supports engineers in planning and executing safer, more efficient and optimised blasts, delivering greater precision and control across operations.

Originally developed from a long-established application by EPC Groupe technical manager Dr Ricardo Chavez, EXPERTIR has been fully rewritten in a modern, future-proof programming language to improve performance and scalability.

The upgraded platform can now integrate data from both laser- and photogrammetry-based models, enabling the creation of highly accurate drilling and loading plans. It also supports basic and advanced delay sequences, helping engineers achieve better vibration control and more precise blast outcomes.

Also featured is EPC-UK’s bespoke ROG+ (Rock-on-Ground Plus) service, alongside a suite of customized software and hardware solutions that provide full digitalization of advanced blast analysis processes.

The ROG+ service brings EPC-UK engineers into close collaboration with customers to unlock additional value from their blasting operations. Using a continuous digital feedback loop, blast performance is measured through site data, engineering expertise and bespoke data dashboards.

This provides real-time insight into how blasting activity affects downstream quarry processes and the performance and value of the extracted material, supporting ongoing optimization and improved operational efficiency.

In addition, the company will unveil details of a major multi-million-pound investment in a new UK-based booster manufacturing facility. The plant will produce high-quality pressed TNT boosters, reinforcing EPC-UK’s commitment to innovation, supply security and future-ready explosives solutions.