New Partnership to Drive New Solutions for OVD Foil Application

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBBNS) and GIETZ have announced a new strategic partnership in the domain of OVD application for banknotes.

Under the partnership, the objectives of which are defined in a Joint Development Agreement, both parties commit to leveraging their respective competencies and technologies to improve and develop OVD application platforms for banknote printers. ‘The fusion of technologies, expertise, and research in this domain creates a unique opportunity for both organisations to explore and discover new ways to create value for our trusted customers while maintaining the highest standards in OVD application, synonymous with the banknote printing industry’ they said in a joint statement. 

KBBNS supplies large-scale high volume OptiNota H systems for the high speed high volume application of diffractive and other optically variable foil-based patches and stripes at the rate of 10,000 sheets per hour. The Opti-Windows module, which can be retrofitted to the OptiNota H, enable windows to be cut in the substrate before the application of a foil overlay.

GIETZ offers a number of foil application systems, the flagship of which for banknotes is the FSA 1060 Foil Commander NOTA, which can apply foil patches and stripes at the rate of 8,000 sheets per hour.

The new partnership will result in the joint development of an upgraded NotaFoil machine, based on the FSA 1060 Foil Commander NOTA technology with KBBNS’s proprietary inspection, drying, and modular multi-pile delivery systems.

KBBNS will also entrust the joint design and development of an upgrade and service package for installed OptiNota H machines to GIETZ, while the two companies will pursue the common development and distribution of a high speed application platform to meet future needs.

The technologies developed under this new partnership agreement will be distributed globally by KBBNS (excluding Japan).

Thomas Hendle, KBBNS Head of Sales and Managing Director, stated: ‘we are partnering with GIETZ to maximise value creation for our customers. OVD application is a core component in our process offering and by exploring new approaches and technologies together, we can support our customers to achieve success.’ 

Meanwhile Hansjörg Gietz, owner and Managing Director of GIETZ, expressed his excitement about this new partnership, commenting: ‘we strongly believe that this partnership will further improve the solutions available for applying holograms onto banknotes and our customers will benefit significantly from the new synergies created.’