Orell Füssli’s New Environmental Evaluation Software: BEES®

At the Global Currency Forum, Daniel Schwarzbach, Innovation Director at Orell Füssli Security Printing (OFS), unveiled the company’s new tool for measuring the environmental impact of banknotes – BEES® (Banknote Environmental Evaluation Software), which it believes is the first design-oriented LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) tool not just for banknotes, but for any sector.

Setting the scene, Dr Schwarzbach noted that banknote design is subject to several constraints, such as security, cost, and longevity. In recent years, to this can be added sustainability, which needs to be incorporated into the design process from the outset, and not simply considered as an afterthought. Sustainability is affected not only by the components of the banknote (inks, substrates, foils) but also the country’s specific choice of sustainability KPIs, unique circumstances, and operating environment (eg. the energy mix).

It is with all of this mind that OFS developed BEES®.

The start of the journey

OFS’ sustainability journey began in 2006, when it qualified for the ISO 14001 environmental management certificate. In 2020 it launched a new innovation strategy, with a particular focus on sustainability.