In order to find out more about the process of making photographic film I looked at two giants of the industry: Ilford film based in Cheshire and Kodak started in Rochester, N.Y in the US.
The very early iterations of photographic film date all the way back to the 18th century when the properties of silver solutions as image capturers were discovered. Since then it has been through lots of development to reach the modern film creation method which is used today and has been used since the beginning of the 20th century.
A roll of film is made up of its base which is layered with photosensitive emulsion, the film is then encased in a metal and plastic casing with a spool for the film to wrap around. The emulsion is made with silver, nitric acid and gelatine. The base in a thin plastic sheet made by creating a thick liquid called dope using cellulose and solvents and allowing it to dry and create a thin layer similar to how nail polish is applied. It is then plated with chromium for a smooth finish. Film that is packed in a cassette (35-millimeter film is typically packed this way) requires a metal spool, the protective metal canister, and plastic strips at the canister opening where the film emerges. Other sizes of film including Polaroid film are protected from light and air by plastic cartridges or packs. Outer packaging, which varies among film products, is made from foil-lined paper, plastic, and thin cardboard cartons. The outer packaging is also insulating and protects the film from exposure to light, heat, and air. During my research I will go on to look into the materials used more closely and the sustainability of them individually and when used together.
The structure of the silver crystals in the emulsion decides the speed of the film and therefore its sensitivity to light, gelatine is used just as cost effective binding agent. Once the emulsion and base has been created, the emulsion is layered onto the base very thinly. Different emulsions are added layer by layer to create different colour layers - one for red, blue and green light. This is how colour film is created. The film is then cooled and dried before being cut to size and perforated to allow it to wind on in your camera.
From watching these videos and doing other research online the process of making film is a costly one in terms of raw materials, manufacture and energy consumed. Not to mention the numerous chemicals involved in the process of making film. Though historically film processors have been good at recycling, mostly of silver due to its high value, it seems that very little development of the manufacturing process has been done for a while. More research will tell whether this is due to the industry dying out for a while due to the insurgence of digital cameras and camera phones or lack of innovation in the area. But if film is back to stay the manufacturing process needs to be made more sustainable.
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