Another one bites the dust. Kodak discontinues B&W paper

[lejazzcat]

Kodak discontinues black-and-white paper
Source: ROCHESTER AP
Date: 2005-Jun-16 05:18 AM

Eastman Kodak said it will discontinue production of black-and-white photographic paper by the end of the year as continues its transition to digital photography.

Kodak spokesman David Lanzillo said the paper, used in traditional darkrooms, is produced at facilities in Rochester and Brazil. The company will continue to make black-and-white film and chemicals for processing.

Lanzillo said he could not specify how many employees will be affected, but the decision is part of the previously announced reduction of 12,000 to 15,000 workers worldwide by 2007. That is expected to leave the photography giant with a global work force of about 50,000.

Demand for black-and-white paper is declining 25 per cent annually as the imaging industry transitions from film to digital, Lanzillo said.

Kodak in April reported a first-quarter loss of $US142 million ($A186.23 million) because of a steady slide in revenues from film and other chemical-based businesses and higher-than-expected costs to cover steep job cuts.

The company grew into an icon on the strength of its traditional film, paper and photofinishing businesses.

It is now betting its future in digital terrain - from cameras, inkjet paper and online photofinishing to photo kiosks and minilabs, X-ray systems and commercial printers.

The largest maker of black-and-white photo paper, Ilford Imaging of Britain, went into bankruptcy last year, emerging this year after a management-led buyout. Germany's AgfaPhoto GmbH filed for bankruptcy last month.

[gstark]

While I don't like Kojak emulsions, things are certainly getting serious.

I guess that by 2010 those of us who want to still do B&W using silver halides will need to carry our own raw materials and dark tents so that we do all of our processing on site.

[Nnnnsic]

I imagine Liquid Light is going to become a serious purchase for people in the next 10 years in regards to just being able to print in a darkroom.

Mind you, I don't think there have been many places in Australia that have been able to purches Kodak B&W paper for a while.
Kodak paper in Australia has been mostly colour paper, from my experience anyway.

[boxerboy]

Good riddance I say. Been there, done that - let's move on.