Kodak has pushed back against viral posts claiming a shutdown after 133 years, saying the SEC “going concern” wording flagged debt timing—not bankruptcy. The company says it expects to repay, extend, or refinance upcoming maturities and finish planned transactions that would leave it with a stronger balance sheet and near net-debt-free.

What sparked the rumor

Headlines and social posts cherry-picked the phrase “substantial doubt” from Kodak’s filing to imply an imminent collapse. In practice, that language is standard when financing for debt due within 12 months isn’t yet fully committed, even if plans are already in motion. Shares slipped on the initial headlines before the company clarified.

What Kodak is saying now

Kodak states it is not closing and not filing for bankruptcy. Management says the company intends to handle near-term maturities through a mix of repayment, extensions, and refinancing, targeting a healthier balance sheet once transactions close.

To address upcoming debt, Kodak expects about US$500 million from terminating a U.S. pension plan by December 2025—roughly US$300 million in cash and ~US$200 million in investment assets to be converted to cash. The company says these funds are earmarked for debt repayment/refinancing, not day-to-day operations.

For printing and packaging buyers—as well as film labs—supply continuity is the key question. If refinancing and the pension transaction proceed on schedule, disruption risk eases. If timelines slip, buyers should line up contingency sources for critical consumables and spare parts.

Kodak has a significant presence in Bangladesh, primarily in the commercial and cultural sectors. Since the 1990s, Kodak has established distribution partnerships that have supplied consumer and professional film to retailers and labs. As a result, Kodak film continues to be available through local sellers catering to wedding, portrait, and enthusiast markets.