In 2021, we pointed out (https://www.adox.de/Photo/mcc-and-mcp-production-situation/
) that we could no longer produce MCC and Polywarmton in the usual way due to company takeovers, insolvencies and price increases by our suppliers.
We subsequently produced several test batches of Polywarmton and also of MCC ourselves.
Technologically, we succeeded, but we cannot manage this at the very low prices at which photographic paper is (still) offered. With paper, the price dynamics have not developed anywhere near as much as they have with films, meaning that prices today are still far too low, measured against the cost of production.
Our small-scale emulsification and coating facilities are not capable of operating with the same cost-effectiveness (labour costs relative to volume) as the major manufacturers, and when it comes to products sold by competitors at marginal cost, we simply don’t stand a chance.
However, we have launched the Polywarmton photoemulsion onto the market.
The situation is better with films. Firstly, not quite 100% of the film price is based on coated raw material, as finishing also accounts for a portion of the total costs; and secondly, we can coat many more metres on the small machine, as the base is much thinner. Overall, this reduces our problem here by a factor of four. Added to this are the moderately increased – though still increased – prices for film, which are slowly approaching a more realistic market price.
We have therefore – for the time being – suspended paper production and are concentrating on the development of new black-and-white films.
Due to various insolvencies, takeovers and product discontinuations among our partners, this is also necessary, as it appears that the existing collaborations cannot be continued – even in the medium term – when it comes to film.
Best regards,
Mirko
