Press Statement
19th January 2009
ILFORD PHOTO INVOLVEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF NEW POLAROID STYLE INSTANT FILM
After the decision by Polaroid in 2008 to cease production of its instant films, a much-loved method of photography looked set to disappear forever. However, leading photo-imaging company, HARMAN technology Limited can confirm it is now involved in a new venture which could deliver welcome news to millions of Polaroid instant camera fans across the world.
The manufacturer - whose brands include the ILFORD analogue range, HARMAN PHOTO inkjet papers and KENTMERE PHOTOGRAPHIC - is supporting ‘The Impossible Project’ which is being spearheaded by a Dutch business known as Impossible b.v.
Formed by a group of businessmen and a number of ex-Polaroid employees, Impossible b.v has signed a 10-year lease on part of Polaroid’s former factory in Enschede, Holland and acquired some of Polaroid’s original production machinery for producing 600, SX70 and Image films.
As the business aims not to rebuild Polaroid integral film but to develop a new product with new and improved characteristics, it has turned to HARMAN and its 130 years of experience in the production of analogue films for product development guidance and additional insight on manufacturing methods.
HARMAN’s product development team has confirmed the manufacturer is able to create the desired instant film but negotiations continue as to the extent of future involvement.
As Howard Hopwood, HARMAN technology’s Chairman, points out: “Recognising the almost cult status and huge following of Polaroid instant cameras, we would love to be involved in any initiative which preserves their future use. To this end, we did try to take on production of Polaroid instant film in the latter half of 2008 but could not reach a commercially viable agreement with the Polaroid Corporation.
“The Impossible Project represents a new glimmer of hope but we must also stress that discussions are still in the early stages. We would like nothing more than to reach a satisfactory agreement and should this happen, a prototype could be unveiled by late 2009 with a view to full scale production commencing in 2010.”
--- ENDS ---
Image & Caption: Howard Hopwood.jpg. Howard Hopwood. Chairman of HARMAN technology.
NOTES TO EDITORS –
HARMAN technology Limited is a pioneering imaging specialist based in Mobberley, Cheshire. The company - which was born of the ILFORD formed by Alfred Harman in 1879 - now includes three, separate and well known brands: ILFORD PHOTO which offers traditional monochrome photographic products; HARMAN PHOTO which provides high-end inkjet media for both colour and monochrome prints as well as display media such as HARMAN OPALJET; and the KENTMERE PHOTOGRAPHIC range of black and white film and paper.
The ILFORD range of inkjet products, including ‘ILFORD Galerie’, is not associated with HARMAN technology in any way, and is actually manufactured and marketed by a separate organisation based in Switzerland.
For more information on HARMAN technology and its brands, visit:
www.harmantechnology.com // www.harman-inkjet.com // www.ilfordphoto.com // www.kentmere.co.uk
For more information on this story, please contact Wayne Mohammed at Manifest on 01484 469601 or email wayne@manifestcomms.co.uk