World Polymer Banknotes Catalogue 2nd Edition by Eu, Chiew & Straus

Polymer banknotes were first developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). They were first introduced into circulation in Australia in 1988.

Unlike traditional paper banknotes, polymer banknotes are made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a non-fibrous polymer that offers significantly improved durability, higher quality, and greater cost efficiency. The material also allows the incorporation of advanced security features that are not possible with paper banknotes, making counterfeiting extremely difficult due to the sophisticated technology involved.

Securency, the former commercial arm of the RBA, partnered with Innovia Films, a manufacturer of polypropylene films, to market BOPP under the brand name Guardian® Polymer for use in polymer banknotes. Another RBA subsidiary, Note Printing Australia, has produced both commemorative and circulating banknotes for countries around the world and has printed banknotes for 19 countries.

Polymer banknotes have evolved considerably over a relatively short period. During the 1970s and 1980s, an alternative polymer material made from polyethylene fibres, marketed as Tyvek® by DuPont, was developed through a joint program between DuPont and the American Bank Note Company. This initiative represented one of the early efforts to develop a durable alternative to traditional paper banknotes.

Specifications:

• Year of Print: 2006 
• Edition: Second
• Pages: 194
• Condition: New
• Authors: Peter Eu, Ben Chiew & Stane Straus