Banknote Fibre Extraction – Repurposing Goes Greener

Earlier this year Giesecke+Devrient outlined a solution for banknote waste which is ‘straightforward, flexible and scalable’ (see CN July 2023). After having introduced the concept of Banknote Fibre Extraction (BFE) at the CT Symposium, the next development phase has taken place.

Recycling of banknote waste has been a challenge for a long time. Because of the complex ingredients and the high wet strength, no standard application has yet been established.

G+D looks set to change that by enabling the sustainable de-composing of cotton- based banknotes at the destruction stage. Instead of destroying fibres by cutting banknotes to small shreds with a traditional shredding mechanism, banknotes are physically de-composed, without using water or any chemicals. The result is single fibres which can be used for many different applications.