About ODB-2 prices, check this: https://www.possupply.com/thermal-paper-shortage
October 18, 2018: The receipt paper industry continues to face cost pressures due to the ongoing market challenges (a critical shortage of leuco dye, reduced production, the rising cost of wood pulp, and transportation and labor, etc.). As a result, POS Supply Solutions will be forced to implement a 4-6% price increase on the following paper and label products, effective with all shipments as of November 12, 2018
November 17, 2017: As many of you have heard by now, the world’s primary supplier of leuco dye (a dye required in the production of thermal paper) was shut down.
Which is this primary supplier? Google search reveals it is Connect Chemicals. From this page):
As Connect Chemicals is the world’s primary supplier of leuco dye, a vital ingredient to producing direct thermal paper, its decision to (indefinitely) close the production plant in China starting September 2017 has caused a short supply in the marketplace.
Connect Chemical owns an estimated 30 to 40% of the global dye demand for thermal coaters (and approximately 70% of demand in Europe and Asia, according to market estimates); therefore, a manufacturing shut down has significant direct implications for end users who rely on direct thermal paper.
On Connect Chemical’s website, we can confirm that it supplies (or supplied) ODB2.
WinCon-2 (CAS 89331-94-2) can be used as a color former for both thermal and carbonless paper.
If we search for “leuco dyes” on Connect Chemical’s website, we get a list of 7 chemicals, out of which only 2 are useful for both thermal and carbonless papers–ODB2 (WinCon-2) and WinCon-205.
In summary, the shortage of leuco dyes (including ODB-2) seems to have persisted as of Oct 2018. Thermal paper prices are increasing as a result.