Polymer Moves Step Closer in India

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 (EOI/04/CO/2026-27) for the manufacture and supply of opacified polymer substrate sheets with advanced security features.

The EOI invites qualified manufacturers and suppliers of polymer banknote substrates to participate, with deliveries planned for both BRBNMPL and Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd. (SPMCIL) presses.

The immediate requirement is for c. 68,000 reams of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)-based opacified polymer substrate, with 34,000 reams allocated to each of two banknote denominations (probably the smallest denominations ₹10 and ₹20). Each ream consists of 500 sheets. The substrate must be uniformly coated with opacifying ink and incorporate an anti-static coating to provide an optimum surface for printing and ink adhesion.