MirkoBoeddecker
We have launched a project to revive Polywarmton.
The aim is to determine the potential market size so that we can better assess whether the project is feasible.
You can register on the
Polywarmton website and help bring the paper back to life.
You’ll also find further information there.
Feel free to ask any questions here.
Best regards,
Mirko
cfb_de
That's been sorted ages ago :rolleyes:
Including criticism of the default settings for the selection boxes, which aren't user-friendly.
Best regards,
Franz
joepi
Hi Mirko,
First of all, thanks for taking the initiative; *that* paper really is a waste.
Question 1: Will you try to optimise the paper in more detail? For example, the tendency for it to smudge with toner was sometimes annoying.
Question 2: As I don’t have a freezer, I usually buy small quantities in one go. But if I estimate a 2–3-year supply (the paper should survive that long in the cellar ;-), it adds up to a tidy sum – which I certainly don’t always have to hand straight away. I would therefore suggest limiting the information on the website to an “amount that is highly likely to be available immediately” (estimated based on Ilford prices), so that this can serve as a basis for planning.
Question 3: I realise that exact timeframes aren’t possible, but what lead time should one expect (in years)?
Regards,
JP
MirkoBoeddecker
Franz,
It’s good that you posted.
Unfortunately, due to a script error, all registrations made via the German website between 9 pm yesterday and 11 am this morning have gone missing.
I’m sorry – everything was working perfectly before the last update.
If anyone is reading this and their registration falls within the period in question, please do it again.
I’ve now made the quantities in the small quantities section more flexible.
Today I’ll be abstracting metric and imperial sizes in the English section.
Best regards,
Mirko
MirkoBoeddecker
JP,
That’s a good question – one I’ve been waiting to be asked.
What we’re currently doing is essentially a feasibility study. I don’t seriously expect to have the necessary QM data together in a few days. I think we’ll need a few months to gather it. However, now is still the best time to start, because the later we start collecting it, the longer it will take.
Everything is already prepared behind the scenes. The companies involved have all drawn up cost estimates.
Technical implementation could begin immediately, and it is estimated that the systems could be operational by July if we were to give the go-ahead today.
The trial phase would then begin. It will become clear relatively quickly whether it will be a smooth process or whether it will prove difficult. If it becomes too difficult, we would have to abandon the project; alternatively, that will depend on how much feedback we have received by that point (i.e. whether a budget increase is feasible or not).
The casting plant will in any case be ready beforehand, and the MCC will also be launched on the market before then.
In terms of timing and our capacity, the Polywarmton project clearly takes a back seat to the MCC.
Specifically: assuming we meet our pre-registration targets and the boiler restart goes smoothly, I expect it will take about a year until the first casting.
But please view the project for what it is. We are currently assessing its feasibility!
I didn’t say we’d manage it with ease. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have had to launch such a pre-registration project in the first place.
Best regards,
Mirko
Urnes
Hi Mirko,
Is it just Baryt at the moment, or is the RC version also set to make a comeback (...in the distant future...at the end of the galaxy)? My supplies from the last emergency run are slowly running out.
Regards, Sven.
MirkoBoeddecker
Hello Sven,
At this stage, the aim is to assess whether this is even a viable project.
If enough people sign up, the relocation of the emulsion production goes smoothly, the revival is successful and the baryta paper production gets underway, then we can also start thinking about market volumes for the RC paper and, if necessary, bring that on board if it proves profitable.
Best regards,
Mirko
martinhampf
Hello Mirko,
Is there a website where I can view the latest "water level report"?
Kind regards,
Martin Hampf
MirkoBoeddecker
Hello Mirko,
Is there a website where I can check the latest "water level report"?
Kind regards,
Martin Hampf
Hello Martin,
Unfortunately not yet. The water level hasn’t reached the first marker yet, but it’s rising steadily.
Best regards,
Mirko
sputnik
Hello Mirko,
As it’s been a few days since your last post, I hope you don’t mind me asking:
Has the first level still not been reached?
I hung up another PW14 print yesterday and had to fight back a tear. I just can’t seem to get into the Variotone, MG WT and MCC, and unfortunately the Fomatone isn’t really a substitute either.
Best regards to the Alte Schhauser,
Siegfried
MirkoBoeddecker
Hello Mirko,
As it’s been a few days since your last post, I hope you don’t mind me asking:
Has the first level still not been reached?
I hung up another PW14 print yesterday and had to fight back a tear. I just can’t seem to get into the Variotone, MG WT and MCC, and unfortunately the Fomatone isn’t really a substitute either.
Best regards to the Alte Schönhauser,
Siegfried
Siegfried,
We haven’t quite reached the target yet, but we’ve already made a secret start in the meantime.
However, we’ve since been hampered by the scale-up issues with the AP 400. Our resources are finite, as we’ve been putting more money into the range for years than we’ve been getting back (don’t worry, it’ll pay off over the years, but we can only really focus on one project at a time).
As soon as the Pan 400 is on the market, the ‘resource managers’ will turn their attention back to the PW.
In the meantime, I’m also tinkering with the boiler a couple of times, but that’s mostly cosmetic and isn’t really getting us anywhere at the moment.
Best regards,
Mirko
Patrick
Hello Mirko, I’m one of the (hopefully) many people eagerly awaiting the ‘new’ Polywarmtone. Of course, everyone understands that such a large project takes time and that priorities need to be set. However, I regret the lack of communication on the Polywarmtone blog regarding any progress, and the fact that one can only read the few posts on the blog, but is not allowed to leave comments or ask questions oneself. Would it be possible to receive updates a little later, or to officially reactivate this forum? I believe that if people had a better idea of where the project stands and how many have signed up, it would also encourage some Polywarmtone fans to pre-order more paper to take the whole thing a few steps further...
Patrick.
MirkoBoeddecker
Patrick, Friends of Polywarmton,
Unfortunately, everything is on hold at the moment until we’ve finished with the Pan 400.
We’ve encountered unexpected issues with the film, and all our resources are currently tied up, as a significant amount of money has already been invested in research.
As soon as the film is on the market, we’ll get back to work on Polywarmton.
Best regards,
Mirko
Sandra
Hi Mirko,
Can I join in the nagging too? I’m also still pining for PWT and would be over the moon if it came back on the market. Tim Rudman has already mentioned in his newsletter that you’re looking for someone to perform the coating on the paper on a part-time basis :P
I’d be interested to know if the paper substrate would be the same as it was back then, i.e. cardboard-thick. Is Variotone a bit thinner, or am I just imagining that?
Well, anyway, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the project gets going again.
Best regards
Sandra
Gast
Latest update: http://www.polywarmton.com/page6/page6.html
sputnik
Latest update: http://www.polywarmton.com/page6/page6.html
How? What is the price of silver? - Borgerding. To the blackboard! :D
pittyman
Hi Mirko,
I just wanted to check on the current status of the Polywarmtone project.
Is there any news, or has it been put on hold while other things take priority?
Dirk
MirkoBoeddecker
At the moment, it’s making a bit of a splash, but it’s still hiding behind the PAN 400.
We also had to finish the construction work first before we could make any further progress here.
As soon as there’s something really worth reporting, I’ll be in touch again.
Best regards,
Mirko
MirkoBoeddecker
pittyman
Keep at it, Mirko – we’re really looking forward to Poywarmton!!
