Autentium – the New Polymer Substrate for Banknotes

Back in May last year we covered the pre-launch at the Banknote Conference of a new polymer substrate from Covestro, and in December the official launch under the name CERTEVO®. It appears we were premature, as that launch referred to the version intended for ID and secure document, not currency.

Covestro has now named the banknote version Autentium®, and will be formally launching it at the upcoming Currency+Identity conference in Milan.

Autentium is a thermoplastic polyurethane which is created through extrusion, during which the addition of white pigments (or, potentially, other colours) take place as opposed to the route for other polymer substrates, which are coated through opacification. No surface printing is required either before or after printing.

According to Covestro, Autentium has four specific advantages over rival polymer products for banknotes on the market.

First is exceptional printability, supporting intaglio and offset, and enabling embossed structures and therefore tactile security features that differ from traditional paper and existing polymer substrates.