Security paper

Security paper is required primarily for the production of banknotes, hence the name of banknote paper is common. In addition, there is a slightly lower demands on the resistance even for passports, identity cards, credit cards, blank checks, securities, stamps and the like longer needed.

Demands on security paper in terms of security against counterfeiting

Security paper must offer protection against counterfeiting and still remain stable under extreme loads. The successful protection of each original bill against manufactured by modern color copiers and globally operating counterfeiters counterfeit banknotes is expensive. Under these requirements, the security and banknote paper production differs significantly from the rest of the paper production.

Watermark and security thread already in the paper are the most popular security features. On the surface embossing and holograms are applied. The printing process includes other markings, some of which are then detected with the naked eye, but in part only with special equipment. In times of less complex security design deceptively similar false prints are sometimes enters the circulation. The euro banknotes are experts believe the fälschungssicherste paper money in the world.

The security thread in a banknote is made of a polyester film which is printed or metallized. On the security thread numbers and letters are printed that indicate the value of the banknote. The printed polyester film is on narrow cutting machines cut into small strips of about 1 mm wide and wound on spools traversing. The coiled filament is unwound from a plurality of coils in the production of banknote paper into the paper pulp to be shaped and implemented while encased completely or partially from the paper.

Demands on security paper in terms of resistance

A banknote is used between the production and sorting, by the central bank of many people, it is very often folded, washed several times inadvertently heated, crumpled and smoothed again. In Europe banknotes are sorted by value between ten months and five years in circulation before they are discarded as worn. To withstand this stress, consist banknote papers from a special raw material compilation, made up of 90% cotton. Only for security papers, are not exposed to such high stress, even bleached pulp is used in place of the expensive cotton. These include security papers for passports, identity cards, credit cards, blank checks, securities, stamps and the like.

Banknotes with enhanced circulation time ( durable banknote papers )

To meet the increased demands on particularly strained note values ​​, banknote paper was developed with increased shelf life in recent times.

Improved soil release: Manufacturers of banknote paper have pollution problems early on and developed banknote paper whose surface is coated with a stain-resistant coating. The thin lacquer layer is applied directly to the substrate, paper thickness and structure remain unchanged - the bill retains its tactile properties. So-called durable papers that are offered in the international banknote market under the brand name of Long Life, Platinum, Marathon Coated, Diamone and Flesure etc. that protect banknotes against pollution and other environmental influences and ensure that they stay in circulation longer.

Increased mechanical strength: With new products such as Synthec, Marathon, Diamone Composite etc. go the banknote paper manufacturer one step further and respond to the increasing demand for higher mechanical strengths in the paper because bills tend to be always limp and tear faster the longer they circulate. Thus, the substrate Synthec example 80 per cent of cotton fibers, while the remaining 20 percent synthetic fibers which are longer and more flexible with respect to cotton fibers. These form in cotton fiber bundle a dense network that gives the bill prop - like a corset - and increases the mechanical strength. A doubling of the lifetime is so easy to reach. Printed on Synthec banknotes are much less sensitive to climate variability than banknotes on standard bond paper. The synthetic fibers are already involved in sheet formation in the banknote substrate - the advantage is that all established security features, such as three-dimensional watermark, security fibers, security threads or the novel varifeye window of the paper is - as usual from the standard cotton substrate - integrated directly into the new Synthec. Effect colors or film elements such as holograms can be just on this substrate as apply to traditional banknote paper. The decades-long familiarity of the population with established security features retained. So the bills are also safe from dirt, they are by default still coated with stain-resistant surface coating. By the end of 2007 Synthec banknotes will be in circulation in three countries - an African country, for example, has chosen it as a substrate for its lowest Denomination: In the south of the country has a tropical climate, the rainy season lasts eight months. The north is dry and extremely hot with temperatures reaching 41 degrees.

Production quantity and quality of production

Worldwide, there are about 30 companies, mostly state-owned enterprises that produce security paper for banknotes. Total production is estimated at 140,000 t. This roughly corresponds to the amount that produces a paper machine for newspaper within four to five months.

The amount of paper produced is - compared with other types of paper - as to ensure a stable currency with long-term steady cash in a country only a limited amount of notes in circulation is relatively low, but stable is necessary and required.

However, the paper applies the production due to the necessary secrecy of ingredients and manufacturing processes as demanding. This applies equally to the design and construction of the necessary production facilities.

Banknote Paper Machine

The demand for banknote paper machines increased due to the introduction of the euro common currency and the requisite innovations. Banknote paper is, with few exceptions, made ​​on so-called DC - cylinder mold machines. Only this Rundsiebtechnik enables the production of watermark finely graded shading. An important part of this round screen is the expansion cylinder. On him more screens are raised and tense. In a sieve, the watermark of each note paper produced is stamped. Since different currencies are made ​​with different sized bills on a machine normally, the filters must be changed frequently. The working width of the banknote paper machines are at max. 2.800 mm, and the velocities at 20-90 m / min.

• Paper
• Paper money