Nederlandsche Cocaïnefabriek

It imported its raw materials mainly from the Dutch East Indies and sold its products across Europe, making good profits especially in the early years of World War I.

Because of growing demand and a steady supply the Koloniale Bank decided to start production of cocaine in Amsterdam and it founded the Nederlandsche Cocaïnefabriek on 12 March 1900.

The NCF had been selling some of its cocaine to Burroughs Wellcome & Co, which used it in its Forced March, a product that was advertised with: "Allays hunger and prolongs the power of endurance".

[3] Cocaine and opium were easily available to soldiers in for instance London's nightlife district of West End, until they were prohibited and brought under the Defence of the Realm Act in 1916.

At the International Opium Convention of 1925 a system of certificates was decided upon, to regulate exports of strictly medical and scientific cocaine only.

[2] In the early 1930s the NCF started to manufacture opiates like morphine and codeine to fill the gap left by the disappearing market for cocaine.

[8] A lack of raw materials (mainly opium) soon affected the company, and during the war opiates like morphine from poppy straw were mainly produced in Germany.