Banknotes at the cutting edge of technology and innovation

Constantly innovating in banknote production

The Banque de France’s research and development (R&D) unit covers all areas of cash-related research and applications, ranging from the substrate to the printed banknote, from the latest-generation security features to innovative solutions to heighten banknote robustness.

The unit works alongside leading international research centres, the ECB and other international central banks, and exploits the latest advances in optics, chemistry, physics and electromagnetics to innovate in response to client needs.

Thanks to this R&D work, the Banque de France offers a unique range of patented and innovative security features such as TRILUMIC®, SEALGN@TURE® and TWIN UV®. These features are widely recognised and incorporated into numerous banknotes throughout the world, helping to increase banknote security and combat counterfeiting. These innovations are made available to cash industry participants through licensing agreements.

TRILUMIC® – a high-definition, invisible polychromatic design

Invisible in daylight, TRILUMIC® reveals a brilliant multi-coloured image under UV light. Incorporated into a holographic stripe or a security thread, TRILUMIC® provides a new feature that is particularly attractive to the public.

TRILUMIC® is a trademark resulting from a collaboration between Hueck Folien and the Banque de France.

TRILUMIC® – special features:

• High-definition UV fluorescent images with natural colours
• A UV security feature with unparallelled characteristics thanks to the use of a proprietary method to achieve:
  • fine detail and a brilliant image
  • a broad palette of balanced colours (saturated colours, pastels and smooth gradations)
  • consistent image quality in production
• Improved counterfeit resistance through incorporation into a holographic stripe or metallic windowed security thread

SEALGN@TURE®, an ultra-secure code to protect banknotes

Thanks to a copy-sensitive proprietary code, SEALGN@TURE® allows you to authenticate your banknotes by connecting to a dedicated IT server.

SEALGN@TURE® is a secure code measuring just a few square millimetres, which can be blended into the design of banknote to offer the highest level of security.

Made copy-sensitive by its very high printing resolution and specific design features, SEALGN@TURE® offers the ultimate protection against banknote counterfeiting. Even very high quality copies are immediately and unequivocally detected when checked under normal operating conditions.

SEALGN@TURE® was developed in collaboration with the company Advanced Track&Trace.

SEALGN@TURE® – special features:

• Ultimate level of security
• Authentication using a code incorporated into the design
• Simple and secure reading
• Cost-effective: no additional consumables, no special processes

TWIN UV® – enhanced and durable Level 2 security

Building on 15 years' experience of developing advanced UV security features, TWIN UV® is a tried and tested Level 2 security feature with brilliant UV fluorescence.

TWIN UV® was developed in collaboration with SICPA.

TWIN UV® – special features:

• A unique combination of materials to combat counterfeiting
• A highly durable security feature
• Easily incorporated into the banknote
• Optimised for sorting

Innovative security paper solutions with high durability and low environmental impact

With over 200 years of paper-making know-how, the Banque de France offers a wide range of security papers, from paper incorporating the most advanced security features for high denominations to very high durability paper for challenging circulation environments.

With the LongerFit® and EverFit® solutions, which significantly increase the lifespan of banknotes in circulation, the Banque de France is innovating in the field of banknote paper to offer customers sustainable products with a reduced environmental footprint.

In addition to improving the durability of its different papers, the Banque de France is increasing its use of sustainable raw materials: its banknotes are made from cotton fibres derived from the recycling of textile industry waste, and it is actively working to incorporate a greater share of alternative fibres to cotton, sourced in Europe, and with a reduced environmental impact.

Expertise in security features and their industrial production

The Banque de France has the expertise to incorporate the most common paper security features on the market at its EuropaFi production site. It also has the necessary infrastructure to support the industrial production of innovative solutions proposed by its partners and clients.