Polymer banknote

Polymer banknotes were developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and were first issued as currency in Australia in 1988. These banknotes are made from the polymer biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) which greatly enhances durability of the banknotes. Polymer banknotes also incorporate many security features not available to paper banknotes, making counterfeiting difficult.

Related Topics:
Reserve Bank of Australia - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - Currency - Australia - 1988 - Banknote - Polymer - Biaxially-oriented polypropylene - Paper

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Trading as Securency the RBA with Innovia Films (a subsidiary of the UCB group) market BOPP as 'Guardian' for countries with their own banknote printing facilities. Note Printing Australia (a subsidiary of the RBA) prints commemorative banknotes and banknotes for circulation and has done so for 19 countries.

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An alternative polymer of polyethylene fibres marketed as Tyvek by DuPont was developed for use as currency by the American Bank Note Company in the early 1980s. Tyvek did not perform well in trials, smudging of ink and fragility were reported problems. Only Costa Rica, Haiti and the Isle of Man issued Tyvek banknotes; however, they are no longer produced and have become collectors' items.

Related Topics:
Polyethylene - Tyvek - DuPont - Costa Rica - Haiti - Isle of Man - Collectors'

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