CCL Secure Expands Its OVD Arsenal for Polymer Banknotes

CCL Secure has expanded the capabilities at its polymer substrate production facility in Querétaro, Mexico, with the installation of a new OptiNota-H from Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions. Per CCL Secure, the new state-of-the-art line is the region’s only dedicated capability for applying advanced optical security features to polymer banknote substrates – and will serve customers worldwide.

The new line specialises in applying micro-optic and diffractive patches, stripes and other advanced foil-based technologies directly onto GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate. The investment marks a significant step in the continued expansion of CCL Secure’s polymer banknote technology platform, enabling central banks and security printers to combine the durability and performance of GUARDIAN™ with advanced visible security technologies.

Strategically located in Latin America, the new facility represents a unique regional capability and has the potential to become a centre of expertise for OVD application. 

It also strengthens CCL Secure’s global offering, complementing the specialised capabilities across its global manufacturing network, with facilities such as Craigieburn in Australia supporting SPARTAN™ banknotes, while Wigton provides expertise in micro-optic and holographic technology, including CINEMA™.

Beyond its regional significance, the infrastructure forms part of CCL Secure’s global manufacturing and innovation capabilities. It will support customers and projects worldwide, providing greater flexibility in the development, prototyping and production of next-generation polymer banknote solutions.

The capability also enables CCL Secure to develop security features specifically adapted to the characteristics of GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate. This expands the possibilities for banknote design, authentication and protection while facilitating the integration of sophisticated visible security features.

CCL Secure already offers a range of proprietary security features for GUARDIAN, either integrated or surface-applied. Most are ink-based (eg. GSWITCH™, AURORA™, METALIX™, IRISWITCH™, VIVID™) but it also offers WINDOE™ – a covert holographic image in the window that becomes visible under a point-source lights – and CINEMA™ – an advanced micro-optic lens feature that, again, is part of the window. It also offers MAGREAD™, a Level 3 security feature, with magnetic and optical elements that are both machine-readable and visually identifiable.

The new OptiNota-H capability provides an opportunity to complement these technologies with the latest surface-applied micro-optic and holographic features.

‘The launch of this line is a strategic step for CCL Secure and reinforces our commitment to continuously innovate and provide central banks and security printers with solutions incorporating the highest levels of available banknote security technology’, said Neil Sanders, Managing Director, CCL Secure.

‘While this unique capability is located in Latin America, its reach is global. It allows us to bring advanced technology closer to our customers while creating new opportunities to collaborate with central banks and security printers around the world in developing the banknotes of the future’, he added.