[LAB ALERT] The Greenland Tariff is Here: Why US Labs are Pivoting to Singapore’s ECN-PRO Series

Date: January 19, 2026

Reading Time: 4 Minutes

Yesterday’s headlines sent shockwaves through the US motion picture industry. As the diplomatic rift over Greenland escalates, the administration has officially triggered a 10% surcharge on imports from the UK, Germany, France, and Italy, effective February 1, 2026.

For film laboratory owners, the math has changed overnight. This new tax is not a replacement—it is a surcharge that stacks on top of existing duties. If your lab was planning to order an ECN-2 processor from a European manufacturer, that machine just became significantly more expensive.

The 2026 Tax Cliff: Europe vs. Singapore

As we approach the June 1st deadline, where European tariffs are projected to jump to 25%, US labs are looking for a "safe haven" for their capital investments.

By choosing the Singapore-based Micrographics Data, US labs can bypass the Greenland trade war entirely. Investing in an ECN-PRO or ECN-PRO3 today protects your margins from a 25% to 30% tax penalty that your competitors will be forced to pay.

By choosing the Singapore-based Micrographics Data, US labs can bypass the Greenland trade war entirely. Investing in an ECN-PRO or ECN-PRO3 today protects your margins from a 25% to 30% tax penalty that your competitors will be forced to pay.

Technical Edge: Remjet vs. The AHU Revolution

While the financial argument is clear, the technical transition in 2026 is equally critical. Kodak’s recent full-scale rollout of Vision3 AHU (Remjet-free) stocks has created a fork in the road for laboratory workflows.

1. The ECN-PRO3: Optimized for the Clean Future (AHU)

The ECN-PRO3 is the first processor engineered specifically for the Remjet-free era. Since AHU film lacks the messy carbon backing, the ECN-PRO3 eliminates the pre-bath and mechanical removal stages.

• Water Savings: 40% reduction in consumption.
• Clean Workflow: No more carbon slurry contamination or complex tank maintenance.
• Compact Footprint: Perfect for modern, urban boutique labs.

2. The ECN-PRO: The Multi-Format Workhorse

For labs that still handle a high volume of traditional Remjet-backed Vision3, the original ECN-PRO remains the gold standard.

• High-Volume Remjet Removal: Professional-grade mechanical buffers for flawless carbon stripping.
• Versatility: Capable of handling legacy stocks and new AHU stocks with a simple pre-bath bypass.

Why Act Now?

The "Greenland Surcharge" is designed to create leverage in international negotiations, but it creates a massive "tax trap" for US businesses that wait.

• Beat the Feb 1st Deadline: Orders placed and cleared before February 1st avoid the initial 10% hike.
• Avoid the June 25% "Tax Cliff": By the time European manufacturers fulfill summer orders, the 25% Greenland tax will likely be in full effect.
• Singapore’s Stability: Singapore’s 10% reciprocal rate is stable and predictable, allowing for accurate 2026-2027 budget forecasting.

Secure Your Lab's Future

In a year of geopolitical volatility, the most successful labs will be those that adapt their supply chains to the new reality. Transitioning to Micrographics Data isn't just a hardware upgrade—it's a trade-smart move that ensures your lab remains profitable while the rest of the industry struggles with "Arctic" price hikes.

Email us at sales@micrographicsdata.com to get a Tariff-Adjusted Quote for the ECN-PRO3 Today!