We invariably cover the financial results of the public (listed) companies in our sector, certainly annually and sometimes their interim results too, as a means of taking the temperature of the industry. To supplement this is Industry Watch, now published annually rather than quarterly, which specifically looks at their share prices over the period of the preceding year.

Banknote security specialist Hueck Folien has acquired California-based WaveFront Technology LLC, transforming the Austrian firm into a ‘full-liner’ with end-to-end control over the security feature lifecycle. By integrating WaveFront’s 30-year expertise in micro and nanostructures, Hueck Folien says that it secures strategic independence and the ability to originate custom optical designs in-house. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

Challenging long established companies in a deeply conservative market is a daunting prospect, and yet that is what Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer (Q&T) has done.

The International Currency Association and the International Mint Industry Association have announced that they will merge to become a combined industry association. The two organisations will join forces under the ICA umbrella, aiming to unite the global currency industry more closely and strengthen the collective voice for cash, including both banknotes and coins.

Following a Letter of Intent signed in July, Oberthur Cash Protection and Feerica have completed their strategic merger, forming Oberthur Feerica. This follows the acquisition of Feerica from its owner, the holding company Zelosodisseia, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Royal Australian Mint (RAM), which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, sent over 131 million circulating coins with a face value of A$75.37 million into the Australian economy during FY 2024/25, nearly three times the 47.7 million coins issued the previous year.

Below are some of the central banks, printworks, and substrate makers that have either recently concluded major investments in expansion or new facilities, are in the process, or planning to do so.

When LEONHARD KURZ GmbH & Co KG (KURZ) opened its optical film facility in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, few could have predicted how profoundly it would shape the global security feature industry. To this day, the site remains one of the company’s strategic production centres — and an example of industrial renewal, where a region built on coal and steel turned to optics and precision engineering.

Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) recently published its 2024/25 Annual Report, showing a 15.84% increase in revenue to Rs 58.84 billion. Costs increased by 19.9% to Rs 43.96 billion.

SICPA leveraged its security ink and traceability expertise to launch BullionProtect® in 2020, designed to prevent counterfeit gold bars being mistaken for genuine ones. Jointly developed with refiner and coating specialist Metalor Technologies, in line with LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) guidance, the integrated solution comprises a security image applied directly to the bar and bespoke validation devices.