Streaking Silver Prompts Surcharge on Agfa Film Products

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—Agfa Graphics will be implementing a silver surcharge on graphic film products effective May 9. Peter Wilkens, president of Agfa Graphics, notes that the price of silver continues to escalate, increasing nearly 60 percent year-to-date with no signs of stabilization. This follows an 80 percent increase in silver prices in 2010, he added.

“Agfa can no longer absorb the ongoing increase in silver prices," Wilkens said. "Due to the rapid rate at which silver prices are escalating, it is impractical to offset these increases with a traditional price increase.”

In lieu of raising product prices, a surcharge will be implemented to compensate for these extraordinary market conditions. The surcharge will vary as the cost of silver fluctuates, keeping the customer's current product pricing stable. It will be discontinued when the price of silver returns to January 2011 levels. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of silver recovery to recoup the additional costs related to the silver surcharge.