In a world that is becoming ever more digital, the enduring presence of physical currency is often taken for granted. Yet, behind every banknote lies a complex story of cutting-edge technology, meticulous security measures and constant vigilance against the threat of counterfeiting employed by industry leaders to safeguard the integrity of our money.
Physical currency still remains an important element of global commerce. However, the constant threat of counterfeiting challenges the very foundation of this system. One of the key players in safeguarding the integrity of banknotes is Oberthur Fiduciaire, a leading international banknote printer. Their focus? Security. From the intricate design of the notes themselves to the protected facilities where they are produced, Oberthur Fiduciaire employs a multi-layered approach to protect against forgery. Normally, inner doings of the printer are strictly protected, but we’re going to get a glimpse of this secret world and explore the strategies and technologies that have made the company a preferred partner for central banks worldwide, tasked with the critical responsibility of producing and protecting their nation’s currency.
Security in details
Despite the undeniable rise of digital payment systems, cash continues to play a crucial role in the global economy. Banknotes remain a vital medium of exchange, particularly in regions with limited access to technology or for everyday transactions where cash offers a sense of immediacy and security. This enduring popularity, however, makes banknotes a prime target for counterfeiters. To combat this persistent threat, Oberthur Fiduciaire invests heavily in developing and implementing cutting-edge security features, engaging in a constant technological arms race against those seeking to replicate and defraud. These features, often invisible to the naked eye, represent a complex interplay of advanced printing techniques, material science, and integrated technology.
One of the cornerstones of the printer’s security strategy lies in its mastery of advanced printing techniques and security features. Methods like intaglio printing, for example, create a raised, tactile feel on the banknote, making it instantly recognizable and extremely difficult to reproduce accurately. Security threads, embedded within the paper, fluoresce under ultraviolet light or contain microprinting of their own. Inks play a critical role as well. Color-shifting inks, for instance, change hue depending on the angle of view, providing another readily verifiable indicator of authenticity. Finally, the design itself adds to the security. Intricate patterns and artistic elements create another layer of complexity, making the counterfeiter’s task even more challenging.
Beyond the traditional security features, Oberthur Fiduciaire uses Bioguard, an innovative treatment that protects both the currency and its users from another kind of threat: pathogens. Applied as a varnish or impregnation, Bioguard creates a protective layer that inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms on the banknote’s surface. This not only enhances public health by reducing the spread of germs but also indirectly contributes to banknote security. By keeping banknotes cleaner and more durable, the treatment extends their lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This, in turn, can simplify the tracking and management of circulating notes, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to introduce fake money into the system undetected.
Staying one step ahead of criminals
Security features, specialized materials and high-tech treatment do their job well, but they alone are not enough. While Oberthur Fiduciaire and other security printers are constantly innovating, counterfeiters are also leveraging advancements in technology to create increasingly sophisticated forgeries. High-resolution scanners and printers, readily available on the market, allow counterfeiters to replicate the visual aspects of banknotes with a surprising degree of accuracy. Advanced software enables them to manipulate images and mimic some of the more subtle design elements. Furthermore, the Internet provides a platform for sharing information and techniques, enabling counterfeiters to learn from each other and refine their methods. This constant evolution of counterfeiting techniques necessitates a continuous technological arms race, with security printers like Oberthur Fiduciaire always having to do an extra effort and stay one step ahead.
Just so, the company bought 71% of the stake in Rolling Optics in 2023 to score an advantage over criminals. Sweden-based Rolling Optics employs micro-lens patterns to generate 3D effects in films, and its technology currently supports some of the most advanced micro-optics security features available in the market. The acquisition has become a new addition to Oberthur Fiduciaire’s range of technologies, and has already brought to life Anima™, a premium thread offering spectacular movement with exquisite animation effects. This and other features of varying security levels are essential to safeguard the banknote and establish trust with the public and professional cash handlers, such as banks, ATMs, forensic laboratories and others that use special equipment to authenticate a banknote.
Protected production to cut risks away
Beyond the advanced security features incorporated into the banknotes themselves, Oberthur Fiduciaire prioritizes the security of its production facilities as a critical component of its anti-counterfeiting efforts. Physical security is paramount at the company’s state-of-the-art printing facilities, with restricted access and multiple layers of surveillance. Every stage of the production process, from the initial design phase to the final packaging and distribution, is subject to stringent protocols and rigorous checks. These procedures involve multiple layers of verification, ensuring that any potential discrepancies are immediately identified and addressed.
To ensure full protection, the company’s commitment extends beyond its own facilities and processes to encompass its entire supply chain. Oberthur Fiduciaire cultivates a closed ecosystem of trusted and geographically proximate suppliers. This strategic approach minimizes the risks associated with long and complex supply chains, where materials and components might pass through multiple hands and jurisdictions: “Our supply chain is another of our strengths, as we control the entire manufacturing process, from security features to printed notes, all within Europe—making our banknotes particularly difficult to counterfeit,” says Etienne Couëlle, Managing Director of Oberthur Fiduciaire. This proximity also facilitates closer collaboration and communication, enabling the printer to ensure that all suppliers adhere to the company’s stringent security standards.
Being a partner to your clients
The ability to successfully cooperate is important not only in relations with suppliers, but also in relations with the central banks of the nations which Oberthur Fiduciaire serves. The security of banknotes is not solely the responsibility of the printer; it’s a collaborative effort that stems from mutual trust. Oberthur Fiduciaire works in close partnership with its clients to further enhance the security of their currencies.
This collaboration begins at the design stage, where the company works with their clients’ representatives to understand their specific security needs and tailor the banknote’s features accordingly. Not only this includes incorporating national symbols and cultural elements but also integrating chosen security features that align with the country’s risk profile and existing anti-counterfeiting measures. Throughout the production process, communication remains open and transparent, allowing central banks to monitor progress and ensure that their exacting standards are met.
An example of cooperation like this is two 10- and 20-Maloti banknotes of the Central Bank of Lesotho featuring the Anima security thread. Lesotho is experiencing an economic transition and is concentrating on sustainable strategies that preserve the environment and natural resources. The Central Bank has been consistent with its currency strategy and aims to establish a more secure, sustainable, and enduring currency to safeguard all cash users. To meet these requirements, Oberthur Fiduciaire and Rolling Optics have created a product that incorporates unique and easily identifiable look for users to authenticate a banknote quickly; sophisticated technologies including the Switch micro-lens movement effect which is a newcomer to the market; and the tailored design to showcase Lesotho’s national emblem, the Basotho hat, known as the Mokorotle, to promote the representation of Lesotho’s cultural legacy.
Combining security and sustainability
Lesotho’s example shows the complexity of customer requirements for fiduciary printers. It is not easy to meet them, especially nowadays, when every banknote has to be more than just beautiful and secure, but environmentally friendly as well. Oberthur Fiduciaire has long ago faced the challenge, and managed to intertwine sustainability and security so that both features could enhance each other.
This is achieved through the use of sustainable production process and innovations, like banknotes made from cotton paper and incorporating bio-sourced latex fibers and Sisal fibers. Not only this solution extends the life of banknotes while using more environmentally-friendly raw materials, but also helps create a protected product. For everyday users like shoppers, the specialized paper used in banknotes offers a tangible and readily accessible security feature. Unlike complex digital security measures, the feel and look of banknote paper provide an immediate sense of authenticity. Crucially, this specialized paper is not available on the open market; it is produced under strict control and distributed only to authorized banknote printers, while the precise composition and manufacturing process of this paper are closely guarded secrets, making it virtually impossible for counterfeiters to reproduce.
The security of a banknote is a complex and multifaceted undertaking. It’s not simply individual security features, but rather a holistic system encompassing everything from the intricate design and specialized materials to the heavily guarded facilities and stringent protocols. Companies like Oberthur Fiduciaire, working in close collaboration with central banks, play a crucial role in maintaining this system. Their efforts, combining innovation and rigorous processes, are essential in the ongoing challenge of protecting the integrity of currency and preserving public trust in the financial system.
