Film decline hits Kodak's Q2

Kodak has reported a fall in second-quarter sales for its commercial imaging segment, which it blamed on the "continuing weakness in the commercial printing market".

Sales of graphic art products to its Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) joint venture were down 9%, which Kodak attributed to "volume declines in graphic arts film", largely brought on by its replacement by digital technology. But KPG contributed positive earnings to Kodaks "other income and charges".

Overall sales for commercial imaging fell 2% to 234m ($364m), with US commercial imaging segment sales down 3% on the same period last year to 131m.

But the company said its NexPress joint venture with Heidelberg was proceeding as planned, with approximately 100 units sold by June.