Spectra Systems Corporation – provider of machine readable technologies for banknotes and Fusion™ polymer substrate – has announced a licensing agreement with Oberthur Fiduciare for Kryptonome™, the latter’s patented new Level 1 security feature for polymer banknotes that was unveiled last year.

The complete overhaul of the single European currency, which represents the first comprehensive redesign of physical euro banknotes since their historic introduction back in 2002, has taken a major step forward – with the public being given the choice to vote on two different concepts. One is based on European culture, and the other on rivers and birds and European Union (EU) institutions.

Delegates at this year’s HSP Latin America conference in June experienced an unconventional opening when Jan Hofmann (aka Mr Bill Vault), Sales Director at Hueck Folien, stepped onto the stage dressed as a secret agent. Launching an interactive presentation titled ‘Can you crack the code of true identity?’, Hofmann invited the audience to explore a simple question: what truly makes a banknote genuine?

The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CBA) has announced the issue of an upgraded 100 manat banknote, which will go into circulation on 15 July. According to the CBA, the upgraded 100 manat is more than a means of payment – it is a visual representation of Azerbaijan’s economic progress, national identity, and modern statehood.

BioBanknote is a Colombian-based specialist in reducing the environmental impact of banknotes through ‘natural’ means. Over the past several years, it has built up what it refers to as its ‘BioBanknote Ecosystem’, a comprehensive network of sustainable solutions for the management of waste from withdrawn banknotes, which is designed for central banks, printers and all suppliers involved in this industry.

Banknote production in India is carried out jointly by BRBNMPL and SPMCIL.

After years of discussion and speculation, practical steps are now being taken to trial polymer for Indian banknotes. Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Pvt Ltd (BRBNMPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, has issued a global expression of interest for the manufacture and supply of opacified polymer substrate sheets with advanced security features.

The Central Bank of Mongolia (BOM) has chosen a sustainability path for its banknotes by issuing three of its denominations on Louisenthal’s Green LongLife™ substrate.

Danmarks Nationalbank has announced that it has entered into an agreement with De La Rue for the production of the upcoming new Danish banknote series. The agreement runs for a minimum of six years, with the possibility of extension, and the new Danish banknotes will be produced at De La Rue's production facility outside London.

Banknote security shouldn’t be boring – it must engage people. Let’s start with a simple concept WYSIWYG…. What You See Is What You Get…; at first glance and in its simplest form, a banknote could be perceived as just a piece of printed paper. But in reality, it’s a carefully engineered document designed to communicate authenticity in a fraction of a second.