Latest News

Nikki Strickland

1 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Do You Need a Level 3 Security Feature?

The many security features integrated into a banknote make them virtually impossible to counterfeit. These features instil confidence in the currency and enable various users to authenticate genuine banknotes throughout the entire cash cycle.

Technology

Ian Lancaster

3 July 2024

3 min read

Shake, Rattle and Roll – Diametryx’s Innovative Colour Change Particles

At the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference in in Lisbon this April, Michael Natan, President of Diametryx Inc, presented his new company’s intriguing colour-change particles in which the effects change not only by tilting, but shaking as well.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

5 min read

IACA Awards – the Winners Are…

The IACA 2024 Excellence in Currency Technical Awards, which are sponsored by Currency News, were presented at the dinner on the last evening of the Banknote Conference, 15 May.

Events Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

3 min read

Ignis House Note – Out of Darkness Comes Fire

The winner of the IACA Best New House Note at this year’s Banknote Conference was Bundesdruckerei (BDR), which launched its new note – Ignis – from the ExNihilo series during the conference.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

2 min read

IQ Structures and Hueck Folien Launch Nanoswitch™

On July 20, 1969, more than 500 million people around the world watched the Moonlanding, the ‘great leap for mankind’ - a technical feat that opened new horizons for humanity.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

29 May 2024

2 min read

A New Polymer Enters the Market

There was a time when the market for polymer substrates, albeit small, was dominated by one supplier. The market grew, and so did the number of suppliers, CCL Secure and GUARDIAN™ being joined by De La Rue with SAFEGUARD®.

Technology

Dr Ahmed Goher

30 April 2024

5 min read

Polymer Banknotes Outperform Paper on Strength and Security

As an anti-forgery expert with the Egyptian Ministry of Justice, I have spent decades investigating the strength and security of various banknote substrates. My work has involved analysis of the technical specifications of banknotes, through extensive mechanical and chemical testing, as well as an assessment of data published by central banks. I’d like to share my findings here.

Banknotes Technology

Astrid Mitchell

30 April 2024

3 min read

A New Force in Vietnam for Polymer Production

In recent years Vietnam has been a go-to country for many of the world players in the technology, automotive, and fashion industries. It is now stepping into a new field – polymer banknote substrates and security features.

Banknotes Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

30 April 2024

2 min read

World’s First Certified Circular Polymer Substrate

Spectra Systems has developed its own print-ready machine- readable banknote polymer substrate, FUSION™, working exclusively with Toray Plastics America.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

2 April 2024

2 min read

IACA Awards – the Finalists Are…

The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has announced the finalists of the 2024 Excellence in Currency Technical Awards. The winners for all four categories will be announced at the Banknote Conference Awards Dinner on the evening of 15 May.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

22 Dec. 2023

4 min read

New Security Image Register Launched

The Hologram Image Register, established by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) to help safeguard hologram copyright and underpin the use of holograms in secure documents and products, has been extended to include all optically variable (or active) features, and relaunched as the Security Image Register.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

2 min read

Banknote Fibre Extraction – Repurposing Goes Greener

Earlier this year Giesecke+Devrient outlined a solution for banknote waste which is ‘straightforward, flexible and scalable’ (see CN July 2023). After having introduced the concept of Banknote Fibre Extraction (BFE) at the CT Symposium, the next development phase has taken place.

Sustainability Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Delivering Banknote Security Through Technology… Louisenthal´s Solution

Readers will recall in earlier editions that we addressed a number of significant highlights following G+D`s Currency Technology Symposium held in July. This is the final story, focusing on key elements of the day dedicated to Louisenthal, G+D’s substrate and feature subsidiary.

Companies Substrates, Features Technology

Astrid Mitchell

1 Dec. 2023

4 min read

Digital Intelligence in Banknote Printing

In this issue, we describe the industry’s newest banknote production facility – IMBISA in Spain. Another example of a new printworks that has also built innovation in from the start is Guangzhou Banknote Printing Co Ltd (GBPC), the seventh and newest of China Banknote Printing and Minting’s banknote factories.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

3 Nov. 2023

2 min read

ISRA BankStar for Thread Inspection

German-based ISRA Vision’s BankSTAR family of in-line inspection solution has been extended by a version for security thread microslitting – BankSTAR TS.

Companies Technology

Ernesto González Candela

3 Nov. 2023

6 min read

A BAAD™ Way to Assess Substrate Durability

UnderCurrency was established in 2019 as a technical consultancy service. We are based in Mexico and specialise in methodologies, solutions and systems for evaluating and enhancing the security, functionality and durability of secure documents and banknotes.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

28 Sept. 2023

2 min read

CTiP III Offers New Greener Engraving

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBS) has introduced the next iteration in its computer-to-intaglio plate technology with CTiP III, which it claims has a better ecological impact as well as offering new intaglio engraving opportunities to printers.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

27 Sept. 2023

2 min read

Koenig & Bauer Steps into Digital Authentication

Koenig & Bauer Banknotes Solutions (KBBS) is forging ahead with its agenda to create physical-digital technology bridges with the announcement of two new partnerships linked to digital authentication.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

24 Aug. 2023

1 min read

New KINEGRAM Reference Book from KURZ

KURZ, the leading supplier of security foils with diffractive features, has produced a new reference book with a wide selection of images of banknotes that have utilised its KINEGRAM® technology.

Technology

Astrid Mitchell

24 Aug. 2023

2 min read

Get the Vibe with New Thread from SURYS

In his interview in last month’s Currency News, Frederic Trojani, CEO of SURYS, referenced a new thread from the company, Vibes™.

Banknotes Technology