News in Brief

META Complete Nanotech Acquisition

META Materials Inc, a developer of high-performance functional materials and nanocomposites, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Nanotech Security Corp, which produces secure nano-optic security features for banknotes and other secure documents, in a deal valued at c. C$91 million. Nanotech has now been delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Nanotech’s expertise lies in nanophotonics R&D, high-volume, roll-to-roll nano-imprint lithography, and nano-coating production. In particular, says META, its in-house electron beam lithography capability is expected to significantly increase META’s capacity for new customer engagements and shorten material selection programs.

Capacity at Nanotech’s 105,000 sq ft production facility in Thurso, Quebec, exceeds 7 million m² per year, and META plans to approximately double capacity to 15 million m² over the next couple of years.

According to Troy Bullock, former CEO of Nanotech and now Strategic Advisor to the new owner, ‘META’s expertise, technology leadership, and resources provide us with the ability to do even more to innovate and scale the most advanced technology platform in nano-optic materials. In the coming months, META plans to roll out many exciting new features and solutions to benefit the currency and brand security industries.’ In a separate announcement, the Nanotech business recently renewed its frame agreement to continue development of a unique security feature for a confidential government customer that has a maximum value of C$52.7 million over the next five years. For the 12 months to September 2022, the customer has awarded purchase orders totalling just under C$9 million.

New BnEI Member 1st from South America

The Banknote Ethics Initiative (BnEI), launched in 2013, has now 15 members, after Seller Ink Industria e Comércio de Tintas e Vernizes Ltda was formally accredited by the BnEI Accreditation Council.

Seller Ink, which was acquired by Sun Chemical in 2020, is a specialty pigment and ink manufacturer. It is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and is the first company in South America to be accredited by BnEI.

Antti Heinonen, BnEI Chairman, welcomed the new member. ‘We are proud that BnEI has extended its membership to the South American continent. After 15 leading companies in the industry having been accredited, it is up to all central banks to give their support to this positive development, requiring BnEI accreditation or equivalent in their banknote related procurement’ he said. ‘40 central banks from all continents have already expressed their support to the overall objectives of BnEI, signalling the commitment of the banknote community to ethical business practices, fighting corruption and anti-competitive practices’.

The other BnEI members include Canadian Bank Note Company, CCL Secure, Crane Currency, De La Rue, Giesecke+Devrient, Gleitsmann Security Inks, Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, Luminescence Sun Chemical Security, Note Printing Australia, Orell Füssli Security Printing, Portals Paper, SICPA, South African Banknote Company and SURYS.

CMA Transformation Underway

Casa de Moneda Argentina (CMA) – the country’s state mint and printer – has concluded a complete redesign of its corporate brand as part of a corporate transformation launched in 2020 involving new facilities, high-tech equipment and new products and services.

One of the first tasks of Rodolfo Federico Gabrielli, who was appointed President of the 145-year old company last year, was to come up with a Strategic Plan 2020-2023 to ‘create a new organisation and production paradigm’.

A key pillar of this plan is the Investment Plan 2020-2022 to support an increase in production capacity and improve the quality and security of CMA’s products. Capacity has long been an issue in the country, where demand for banknotes routinely outstrips the ability to supply them. Hence achieving self-sufficiency in banknote printing is one of the three main objectives of the plan. The other two are to achieve qualitative and quantitative improvement in all processes, and open new markets with new, more competitive and innovative products.

The company has now formally adopted the acronym CMA as its distinctive brand. Its new logo was design by its own team of designers. Three options were produced, and all CMA staff participated in the final section by voting on their favourite, thus – said the CMA – reaffirming their company pride.

Orell Füssli and AUGENTIC Partner for CBDC

Orell Füssli, one of the world’s oldest banknote and security printers, has announced a partnership with AUGENTIC, a developer of CBDC solutions, to help governments and central banks in their digital transformation agenda.

According to both companies, future proof CBDC solutions must be customisable for government use as well as address off-line availability, anonymity, and psychological factors during the migration from physical to digital cash. In line with this, the first fruit of their partnership is the ‘Smart Banknote CBDC’, which they have unveiled as a solution that covers all of these aspects.

The Smart Banknote CBDC combines Orell Füssli’s highly secure banknotes with the AUGENTIC CBDC Platform, including trustwise.io Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). It can be exchanged like traditional banknotes but, in addition, can be converted into digital cash at any given time. This happens by using encrypted, anti-copied 2D barcodes for authentication purposes via smartphone. All processes are secured by DLT – private, permissioned – in combination with smart contracts.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Michael Kasch, Managing Director of Orell Füssli Security Printing, said: ‘it is fantastic to see how a renowned security printer and a provider for CBDCs can join forces and offer unique, customisable solutions for central banks and governments. By merging our know-how, we can contribute to an introduction of a CBDC solution in the best possible way’.

Explosive Attacks on ATMs in Europe Down by Half

The European Association for Secure Transactions (EAST) has published a report covering the first six months of 2021, which shows a significant fall in ATM explosive attacks.

While overall ATM related physical attacks were up 2% (to 1,873 incidents), mainly driven by a rise in vandalism, ATM explosive attacks more than halved (to 241 incidents). Losses due to ATM related physical attacks were €4.9 million, a 61% decrease over the same period in 2020. 35% of these losses were due to explosive attacks, which were down 58% €3.2 million.

A summary of the attacks can be found here.