China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM) is the world’s largest manufacturer for banknotes and coins – not only producing more currency than any other printer or mint, but also offering the full gamut of production and security technology through a network of subsidiaries dedicated to R&D, features, substrates and ink, minting, printing and processing equipment, as well as production itself.

2021 started with the CEO of Koenig & Bauer, Claus Bolza-Schünemann, handing over the baton to Dr Andreas Plesske, board member responsible for Koenig & Bauer’s Special segment, which includes Banknote Solutions.

The Central Bank of Libya has issued a new 5 dinar note on De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate, its launch coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 17 February 2011 Revolution. It is the country’s second polymer note, the first – the 1 dinar – having been issued in 2019.

Actemium Cournon Engineering is a subsidiary of VINCI Energies, specialising in industrial engineering that accelerates manufacturing integration and control using new technologies. Based 15km from the Banque de France’s printing plant, it was hired to work on five key projects, two in the paper mill and three in the printworks.

Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering (Kusters) – which specialises in banknote destruction systems - has expanded its portfolio with its new range of Air Purification systems, in response to the importance of a healthy indoor environment in offices and cash processing areas.

In the last quarter of last year, the UK bank NatWest established three cross industry working groups to improve the environmental performance of the UK’s cash cycle. Involving 36 organisations, the working groups looked at energy, plastics and CO2 to establish best practice and to drive change.

At the Future of Cash conference, Chris Forero-Slee introduced his business, Shrap. As he said, he does not expect to be popular with those who make their living from or who like coins. Shrap (the company presumably takes its name from shrapnel, ie. fragments of shells or bullets but also a colloquial term for small change) is a solution that offers an alternative to coins, which they regard as a ‘pain point’ in payments.

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