Ilford Mystery

[BobUK]

Not so long ago forums were buzzing with the unavailability of Ilford ID11 Developer.

Happily now available again.

All sorts pf possible causes were put forward.

Can anyone tell me for certainty what the the actual cause was?

Thank you in advance.

 

[pentaxuser]

Here's me thinking this would be like an Agatha Christie story like the Mousetrap. Come to think of it the explanations may add up to something like an Agatha mystery where sadly even Hercule will not be able to reveal the "culprit"

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

As Harman don't make any of their photo-chemicals themselves, it probably is really a "XYZ Chemical Manufacturing Ltd." mystery.

 

[Alex Benjamin]

The butler did it.

 

[BobUK]

Here's me thinking this would be like an Agatha Christie story like the Mousetrap. Come to think of it the explanations may add up to something like an Agatha mystery where sadly even Hercule will not be able to reveal the "culprit"

pentaxuser

The butler did it.

Alex beat me to it.

I was going to reply to pentaxuser with " Gor Blimey guv. It was the Beutler wot did it."

 

[Alex Benjamin]

Alex beat me to it.

I was going to reply to pentaxuser with " Gor Blimey guv. It was the Beutler wot did it."

 

[MattKing]

Perhaps you need the assistance of Professor T in order to solve this

 

[mshchem]

Check country of origin, it would need to be fresh. There's a shop not to very far from here who still is selling new, Kodak Microdol-X

 

[dynachrome]

I have a decent supply of ID-11 on hand but some of it is in the 5 Liter size. I have been mixing up smaller batches of D-23 for now. When I start developing more film I will mix up a 5 Liter box of ID-11. I feel like we're going back in time to when more people made up their own chemistry. In High School we got the science teacher to order the raw chemicals and used the chemistry lab's Mettler P1000. One day I will calibrate and use my P1000. For now, it's the measuring spoon volumetric method.

 

[Lachlan Young]

Tetenal was manufacturing/ bottling/ bagging Ilford chemistry for them, fairly suddenly went into liquidation, Harman had to find a new supplier, resuming the supply of liquid chemistry was easier/ faster than the powder formats. That's about all there is to it.

 

[pentaxuser]

Alex beat me to it.

I was going to reply to pentaxuser with " Gor Blimey guv. It was the Beutler wot did it."

Nice one. Same sentiments as Alex

pentaxuser

 

[250swb]

Not so long ago forums were buzzing with the unavailability of Ilford ID11 Developer.

Happily now available again.

All sorts pf possible causes were put forward.

Can anyone tell me for certainty what the the actual cause was?

Thank you in advance.

Self perpetuating hysteria, somebody reports they can't get it from their local store, which ramps up into 'oh if it's not available or scarce I'd better get some while I can'. So within an internet breath it's sold out everywhere. It's how the social media works nowadays, so get your orders in for your Christmas presents now, or little Johnny may not get his new X-Box or Cabbage Patch Doll on Christmas Day.

 

[swchris]

The butler did it.

No. It was the gardener

 

[gbroadbridge]

I feel like we're going back in time to when more people made up their own chemistry.

During the ID11 drought last year, I did buy all the component chemicals to make my own.
More convenient than storing 10 x 500ml bottles.

 

[tezzasmall]

Not so long ago forums were buzzing with the unavailability of Ilford ID11 Developer.

All sorts pf possible causes were put forward.

Can anyone tell me for certainty what the the actual cause was?

Thank you in advance.

The long answer from Google AI is:

what caused the unavailability of Ilford ID11 Developer recently

Thinking
Kicking off 5 searches
Looking at 53 sites

The recent unavailability of Ilford ID-11 developer was caused by a major disruption in Ilford's supply chain
. The manufacturer for their powdered photographic chemicals, the German company Tetenal, ceased operations. This forced Ilford to transition to a new supplier and reestablish production.


Key reasons for the shortage

• Supplier bankruptcy: Ilford's primary chemical manufacturer, Tetenal, went out of business. This was the most direct cause of the supply chain break for powdered developers, including ID-11, Microphen, and Perceptol.
• Transition to a new manufacturer: The move to a new, unnamed American manufacturer required a lengthy setup process, leading to a significant delay in stock availability. Some liquid chemistry was shifted to Fuji Hunt in Belgium, but the powdered products were sourced elsewhere.
• Packaging changes: During the production transition, Ilford also updated its packaging for powder chemicals. The developer is now sold in easy-to-open pouches instead of the previous boxes.
• Stock replenishment takes time: Even after a new supplier was established, it took several months to ramp up production and distribute the product globally. Ilford's Mobberley site had ID-11 stock by mid-to-late 2024, but shipping times cause further delays in reaching different markets.

Terry S
UK

 

[Ian Grant]

Tetenal was manufacturing/ bottling/ bagging Ilford chemistry for them, fairly suddenly went into liquidation, Harman had to find a new supplier, resuming the supply of liquid chemistry was easier/ faster than the powder formats. That's about all there is to it.

Some other Ilford powder developers were also out of stock. It doesn't help Ilford that developers containing Hydroquinone have to be shipped overseas by ship. O know from experience that can sometimes 4 to 6 weeks US-UK, that's not the actual time at sea, rather the time at docks, and customs etc.

Ian

 

[Agulliver]

As far as I was aware, and I have no more knowledge than what I read from several sources, it is as Lachlan Young says. Ilford had their chemistry manufactured for them by Tetenal, who went out of business suddenly and were not able to get back into business. Ilford had to find a new manufacturer and also took the opportunity to redesign the packaging. The powder packets are now much better for postage because they're not in cardboard boxes any more. Cheaper to mail, in the UK at least.


During the drought I bought some "D-76 substitute" from Nik & Trick, which they had manufactured for them by Bellini in Italy. It did the job though I prefer Microphen....which is thankfully back in stock and seems easy to obtain again.

Though some familiar names from the past are gone, the UK still has a significant chemical manufacturing industry. And there's nothing in those B&W developers which is in any way unusual. If I wanted, I could buy the ingredients and mix ID-11 or Microphen myself by piggybacking on an order I place in my job role as senior science technician at a secondary school. So it's not exactly as if exotic unobtanium was needed. But Ilford would want a manufacturing chemist to supply the bags of mixed chemicals, I would think. All takes a little time to arrange, hence the drought. Also, as someone pointed out above, a whiff of a supply problem and many photographers will panic buy (see also toilet roll, which was among the more stupid actions a few years ago).