Fotospeed LD20 Discontinued?

[dE fENDER]

Today I find out that this developer page is unavailable:
https://www.fotospeed.com/LD20-Lith-Developer-5-Litre/product/02440/02440/

"Item not found in Product Catalogue"

In google cache last version dated 30th of April:
https://webcache.googleusercontent....p;-B/products/1264/+&cd=1&hl=ru&ct=clnk&gl=ru

Can anybody comment this sad news?

 

[jimjm]

I just ordered 500ml of LD20 from Freestyle Photo here in the US. Their web site shows they still have it in stock, as does B&H Photo.
However, several sellers in the U.K. report that it has been discontinued, so that's a bummer if it's true.
Maybe it's time to stock up on whatever's still available...

 

[dE fENDER]

Well, yes, it is still available at my local dealer.

 

[larfe]

I'm afraid the OP is correct

I was looking to place an order myesefl a few weeks ago only to see it gone from UK suppliers. I contacted fotospeed and they told me that it is due to chemical restrictions type of things... gutted

 

[Lachlan Young]

I'm afraid the OP is correct

I was looking to place an order myesefl a few weeks ago only to see it gone from UK suppliers. I contacted fotospeed and they told me that it is due to chemical restrictions type of things... gutted

Quite often I suspect it's not because of the chemicals themselves, but to do with regulations relating to packaging or safe handling at the manufacturing end that causes this because it's seen as being too slow moving a product to recoup the necessary investment. Added to that, Moersch's chemistry seems to work better with current papers.

 

[mshchem]

Quite often I suspect it's not because of the chemicals themselves, but to do with regulations relating to packaging or safe handling at the manufacturing end that causes this because it's seen as being too slow moving a product to recoup the necessary investment. Added to that, Moersch's chemistry seems to work better with current papers.

I looked at the SDS for this product. It contains formaldehyde, and other chemicals of concern. Sounds like your suspicion may be the cause.

 

[Lachlan Young]

I looked at the SDS for this product. It contains formaldehyde, and other chemicals of concern. Sounds like your suspicion may be the cause.

That would explain a lot!

Moersch's Easylith is essentially HQ & an alkali activator, plus suitable preservatives - which achieves the same thing without the serious potential health hazards of formaldehyde.

 

[OGTrout]

I asked the Fotospeed facebook page and received the following answer confirming that it is due to safety concerns.

"Hi, we can confirm it has been discontinued due to health and safety issues surrounding the raw materials."

LD20 is the developer I use for lith printing, so it looks like I'll soon be making the move to Moersch once my lot is gone.

 

[dE fENDER]

I asked the Fotospeed facebook page and received the following answer confirming that it is due to safety concerns.

"Hi, we can confirm it has been discontinued due to health and safety issues surrounding the raw materials."

OGTrout, thanks, it explains everything.