Spectra Buys Cartor

Spectra Systems Corporation has agreed to buy security printer Cartor Holdings in a deal worth up to £10.5 million. It has described the move as a strategic acquisition to bolster its position in the polymer banknote substrate market.

The enlarged company is expected to have new sales opportunities across a range of products (including revenue stamps, brand protection, security labelling, and other security documents) as well as improving margins for the polymer substrate business.

Spectra’s machine readable polymer substrate is called Fusion™. It has partnered with two companies in its production and development - Toray Plastics (America) Inc, a manufacturer of high-quality BOPP and Cartor, who carried out the conductive treatment and opacification of the film (see CN September 2022).

According to Spectra, it has now established itself as a supplier of polymer alongside De La Rue and CCL. Fusion is available with and without covert taggants (its own and those of third parties), enabling central banks to purchase film from a single manufacturer to print low denominations without the embedded covert feature, and mid to higher denominations with it.

Commenting on the acquisition, Spectra CEO Dr Nabil Lawandy described the board as ‘delighted’ with the deal that ‘solidifies its position in the polymer substrate market’.

Cartor will retain its existing management and remain at its purpose-built manufacturing facility in Wolverhampton.