Latest News

Antti Heinonen

23 Dec. 2024

8 min read

Are Note Issuers Ahead of Counterfeiters: Update on Counterfeiting Data

Kerre Corbin regularly addresses counterfeiting from different angles in her Counterfeit Corner in Currency News™. Against that background it is worth looking at recent developments in counterfeiting data.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

22 Dec. 2024

3 min read

De La Rue Reports Strong Order Book, Equity Sale Talks Underway

De La Rue has announced its half-year results for the six months ending September 2024. The company reported lower revenues but continued growth in its order book, and strategic development with the proposed sale of its Authentication business to Crane NXT.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

IHMA Embraces New Security Features Ecosystem

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) has a new name – the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA). The change is part of the industry body’s strategic plan to broaden its scope to better serve evolving markets and new technology frontiers, particularly in optical security.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

Tenders, Contracts and MOUs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the deadline for responses to its Expression of Interest (EOI) for services related to the modernisation of India’s currency management infrastructure 4 December 2024.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

Production Up at SPMCIL

Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd recently released its 2023/24 Annual Report, registering a rise in production, but a small drop to Rs 47.14 billion (US$555 million). Costs were up 7.7% to Rs 36.95 billion.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

2 min read

Change of Ownership at Currency Research

In a management earnout of up to 100%, Currency Research’s CEO and President Jens Seidl and Vice President Shaun Ferrari will become majority shareholders of the company. The founder, and current sole shareholder, Richard Haycock will sell all his shares and resign from the Chairman position, effective 1 January 2025.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

27 Nov. 2024

3 min read

From Banknotes to Brand Protection – Not for the Faint Hearted

Not content with being a leader in banknote substrates, features and print, Crane NXT is certainly gunning for the brand protection market, having acquired three companies in this area since the start of the year.

Companies Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

3 min read

CBPM’s Green Alternatives for Thread Production

China Banknote Printing and Minting has been implementing a series of clean production and carbon reduction measures in the production of raw materials such as paper, thread, and ink, in order to make the production of the renminbi and other currencies more environmentally friendly.

Companies Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

3 min read

De La Rue Authentication Sale Secures Finances and Future

De La Rue has announced that it will sell its Authentication Division to Crane NXT for a cash consideration representing an enterprise value of £300 million.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

5 min read

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.

Companies Technology

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

2 min read

Spectra Reports Half Year Revenue and Profit Increase

In the first half of 2024, Spectra Systems achieved sales of $22.74 million, an increase of 96% compared to the first half of 2023.

Companies

Francisco Mandiola

31 Oct. 2024

7 min read

Will the Swan Really Sing?

On 3 October, the Argentinean media went wild announcing that Milei’s never- a-dull-moment government would be restructuring and, possibly closing, the Argentine Mint (Casa de Moneda República Argentina – CAMOAR).

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

2 min read

Tenders and Contract Awards

In this new periodic feature for Currency News™ we report on the latest tenders and contract awards for banknotes, coins and related services.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

3 min read

CIT Monopoly in New Zealand Risks Repeat of Problems in Australia

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has cleared the way for Evergreen NZ Holdings to acquire 100% of the shares of ACM New Zealand. Evergreen already owns Armourguard, the country’s dominant supplier of CIT and related service, and the acquisition of ACM from its parent Linfox Armaguard will create a monopoly.

Companies Free Free

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

2 min read

All Change at the Royal Australian Mint

Titled ‘Change’, the Royal Australian Mint’s 2023 annual report is aptly named for an organisation that experienced multiple significant changes over the course of last year, including the introduction of the new royal effigy on its circulating coins and the extensive renovation of its visitor centre.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

31 Oct. 2024

1 min read

And the Happy Winners Are …

In last month’s issue of Currency News, we provided details of Oberthur Fiduciaire’s new house note series, on the theme of the Art of Butterflies, comprising five different designs and five different security threads printed on one sheet.

Companies

Tim Berridge

30 Sept. 2024

4 min read

How SPARTAN™ Solves the ‘Change’ Management Challenge

Recent months have revealed the significant financial pressures mints face as they contend with declining demand in a competitive and crowded market characterised by oversupply.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 Sept. 2024

3 min read

Hueck Folien Takes Major Strides Toward Eco-Neutral Production

Austrian-based film and foil specialist Hueck Folien, a leading supplier of security threads and foils for banknotes, is taking a number of steps to put its products at the forefront of sustainability and reach its goal of ecologically-neutral production by 2035.

Companies Sustainability

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

2 min read

Mint of Finland to Close Next Year

The Mint of Finland (Suomen Rahapaja) is to cease operations and wind down in an orderly manner by next year, its Managing Director Jonne Hankimaa, has announced, bringing to an end a 160-year business which first began minting coins in 1864 under the Russian emperor Alexander III.

Companies

Astrid Mitchell

29 Aug. 2024

3 min read

Interim Results – More Encouraging Signs

Last month we reported on the broadly positive interim results for two leaders in the currency sector – Orell Füssli and Prosegur. This month is the turn of Brinks, NCR Atleos, Diebold Nixdorf and Crane NXT.

Companies