Security paper

Security paper is primarily required by security printers for the production of banknotes, which is why the name banknote paper is also common. In addition, it is also needed for passports, identity cards, credit cards, check forms, securities, postage stamps and the like, with somewhat less stringent requirements. In the category of less resistant papers, a distinction is made between security papers, which should always be recognizable as the original, and security papers, which serve to avoid unauthorized copying. With these types of use, the type of paper depends on the requirements of use, further processing, but also on the criteria of the production method. These security papers can be produced individually. Often they are then equipped with CI properties (logo, lettering, etc.) in industrial use and can also be given specific security features . However, they are also available in various forms as pre-produced commercial goods.

Security paper requirements related to counterfeit security

As part of the security design of the printed matter, security paper must offer protection against counterfeiting and remain stable even under extreme stress. The successful protection of every original banknote against using modern color copiers and counterfeit banknotes produced by globally operating counterfeiters is complex. Under these requirements, security or banknote paper production differs considerably from the rest of paper production.

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Watermarks and security threads already in the paper are the best-known security features. Be on the surface embossing and holograms applied. The printing process includes further markings, some of which can then be seen with the naked eye, but in some cases only with special equipment. In times of less elaborate security design, deceptively similar false prints have sometimes come into circulation. According to experts, the euro banknotes are the most counterfeit-proof paper money in the world.

The security thread in a banknote consists of a polyester film that is printed or metallized. Numbers and letters that indicate the value of the banknote are printed on the security thread. The printed polyester film is cut into narrow strips approx. 1 mm wide on narrow cutting machines and wound on spools in a traversing manner. During the manufacture of the banknote paper, the wound thread is unwound and inserted into the paper pulp to be formed from several bobbins and is completely or partially covered by the paper.

Security paper requirements related to resilience

A banknote is used by many people between its manufacture and its disposal by the central bank; it is very often folded, accidentally washed several times, heated, crumpled and straightened again. In Europe, banknotes are in circulation for between ten months and five years, depending on their value, before they are sorted out as tapped. In order to withstand this stress, banknote papers are made from a special combination of raw materials, 90% cotton . Only for security papers that are not exposed to such high levels of stress is bleached pulp used instead of expensive cotton. These include, for example, security papers for passports, identity cards, credit cards, check forms, securities, postage stamps and the like.

Banknotes with extended circulation times (durable banknote papers)

In order to meet the increased requirements for particularly stressed note values, bank note paper with increased durability has recently been developed.

Improved dirt repellency: The manufacturers of banknote paper recognized the problem of pollution early on and developed banknote paper with a surface that is coated with a dirt-repellent layer. The thin layer of lacquer is applied directly to the substrate, paper thickness and structure remain unchanged - the note retains its haptic properties. So-called durable papers , which are offered in the international banknote market under the brand names LongLife, Platinum, Marathon Coated, Diamone and Flesure etc., protect the banknotes from pollution and other environmental influences and ensure that they stay in circulation longer.

Increased mechanical strength: With new products such as For example, Synthec, Marathon, Diamone Composite etc., banknote paper manufacturers go one step further and respond to the increasing demand for higher mechanical strengths in paper, since banknotes tend to become more and more limp and tear faster the longer they are in circulation. So there is the substrate Synthec z. B. 80 percent of cotton fibers, the remaining 20 percent are synthetic fibers that are longer and more flexible than cotton fibers. These form a dense network in the cotton fiber bundle, which gives the banknote support - similar to a corset - and increases its mechanical strength. A doubling of the lifetime is easy to achieve. Banknotes printed on Synthec are far less sensitive to climatic fluctuations than banknotes on standard banknote paper. The synthetic fibers are integrated into the banknote substrate as soon as the sheet is formed - the advantage: All established security features such as three-dimensional watermarks, mottled fibers, security threads or the new varifeye window in the paper are also integrated directly into the new Synthec - as you are used to with the standard cotton substrate. Effect colors or foil elements such as holograms can be applied to this substrate in the same way as to conventional banknote paper. The population's decades of familiarity with established security features are retained.

By the end of 2007, Synthec banknotes will be in circulation in three countries - one African country, for example, has chosen it as the substrate for its lowest denomination: the south of the country has a tropical climate and the rainy season lasts eight months. The north is dry and extremely hot with temperatures of up to 41 degrees.

Manufacturing quantity and manufacturing quality

There are around 30 companies worldwide, mostly state-owned companies, which manufacture security paper for banknotes. The total production is estimated at 140,000 tons per year. This corresponds roughly to the amount a paper machine produces for newsprint within four to five months.

The amount of paper produced is - compared to other types of paper - relatively small, but stable, since only a limited amount of banknotes in circulation is necessary and required in a country to ensure a stable currency with long-term constant means of payment .

However, paper production is considered demanding due to the need to keep ingredients and manufacturing processes secret. This also applies to the design and construction of the necessary production facilities.

Banknote paper machine

The demand for banknote paper machines increased as a result of the introduction of the euro common currency and the innovations that it requires. With a few exceptions, banknote paper is produced on so-called direct current cylinder mold machines. Only this cylinder mold technology enables the production of watermarks of finely graded shading. An important part of this cylinder mold is the expansion cylinder. Several sieves are pulled up and stretched over it. The watermark of the music paper produced is embossed in a sieve. Since different currencies with bills of different sizes are usually produced on one machine, the screens have to be changed frequently. The working widths of the banknote paper machines are max. 2,800 mm and their speeds at 20 - 90 m / min.