2025 Review

Built on centuries of artistic heritage, intaglio printing remains the cornerstone of high-security banknotes. The intricate details and precision of the security features, through tactile and fine lines, deliver unparalleled counterfeit resilience, making it a universal sign of trust and integrity.

Modern advancements have elevated intaglio’s creative potential. New innovations support the development of high-performance intaglio inks, which contribute to the banknote production efficiency – one of the key pillars of SICPA’s sustainability framework. These inks enable superior print quality, accelerated drying times, minimised set-off risks that lead to production waste cutback, and reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds.

At SICPA, we believe that sustainability extends beyond ink formulation and printing processes to encompass the entire cash cycle ecosystem. We offer solutions with security features that are designed to positively impact the efficiency of the cash cycle. Our intaglio machine-readable solutions allow for a more efficient handling and sorting of banknotes locally, whilst promoting a better recirculation of cash without over-reliance on central banks. This approach reduces dependencies on external transportation networks, thereby lowering the associated carbon footprint.

In this session, we will explore how SICPA‘s latest developments around intaglio inks meet the demands of banknote security, efficiency, durability and sustainability.

Data allows users both to answer and to ask great questions.  While access to data allows people to answer their immediate question, it also allows them to think more deeply about what is going on and, inevitably, to ask new questions.  This presentation will use a survey of changes in the EMEA region since the last HSP EMEA to demonstrate the ability of two new databases being made available to the industry by Reconnaissance International, DataVault Banknotes and DataVault Coins.

John Winchcombe has worked with central banks on the design, issue and circulation of banknotes from joining De La Rue in 1988 to today. His De La Rue career has included working in banknote paper mill and print works, responsibility for new product development of paper, polymer, print, machine readable and optical features for banknotes and marketing strategy. John’s last job at De La Rue was four years as Product Development and Marketing Director for the Currency business.

In 2016, after leaving De La Rue, John worked for CCL Secure and in 2018 he started work as a consultant firstly for 7 Layer Solutions and then also with Reconnaissance International. John’s work with 7 Layer has been working with central bank issue departments to develop a market leading data analytic tool based on serial number reading to understand cash usage and performance.

John’s work for Reconnaissance is to bring this knowledge of central banks, banknote manufacture, banknotes and the entire cash cycle into the business, including putting this into the wider payment context as alternative and digital payment methods develop and grow in popularity.

It’s a story about design approach towards modern security features used to reflect the distant microworld of the MEADOW.  Some creatures are often so small we need to stop, focus, and use special instrument to observe,  just as we need to verify the security features.

There is also ecology to it, there are small steps, like the ones of the meadows’ creatures, that all together make a difference towards decreasing power consumption.
         

Radosław Śliwa is Banknote Product Manager at Polish Security Printing Works where he is responsible for developing company’s product offer and innovative partnerships within the banknote industry. Radosław joined PWPW in 2017 increasing its international presence effectively on international markets. He is a big fan of simple, functional, and visually attractive solutions. The committed PWPW’s team of professionals in the field of research, development, design, and production make his role enjoyable and the portfolio of successful implementations grows.

The new Austrian passport, introduced December 1st 2023, is a synthesis of modern aesthetic design and high-security features. Its design combines artistic
elements inspired by Austria's rich history, music, rivers, waters, and flora with cutting-edge security features, allowing each citizen to carry a piece of their home country wherever they go.

The passport contains eight (8) images of the owner, providing enhanced security and verification capabilities. Two of these portrait photos are also digitally signed, ensuring their authenticity and integrity.

One of the standout features of the new Austrian ePassport is the CHECK-AT Service, developed by OeSD on behalf of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior. This innovative service allows citizens to easily verify the Secure Biometric
Barcode (developed by OeSD) and other physical security features using a free smartphone app, providing an additional layer of security, authentication and verification.

Launched in September 2024, the new Dutch identity documents yet again raise the bar in terms of inclusivity, security, and ease of inspection. Resulting from intensive research and close collaboration with key stakeholders in the identity market, these documents are designed to address the evolving needs of modern society. In this joint presentation,

Renée Ong de Jong from the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and Ewout Rensen from IDEMIA Smart Identity will highlight the innovative features that set these documents apart. These include LASINK™ Helios, a market-leading, full-color secondary portrait embedded within a DOVID, offering enhanced protection against counterfeiting, and tactile elements that improve accessibility for visually impaired individuals.

Franziska Granc is a senior project manager at Nimbus Technologieberatung GmbH and specialises in eIDAS, self-sovereign identity, identity wallets and trust services. She is co-author of various ENISA studies and professional articles.

Another focus of her work is the market analysis of qualified trust service providers and identity service providers. She is part of the accompanying research of the showcase programme “Secure Digital Identities”, initiated by the German Ministry of Economy and Climate. Her aim is to actively contribute to the development of a secure and interoperable European ID ecosystem. To this end, she regularly appears as an expert at international conferences or moderates on these topics.

Richard is by now well experienced in this industry, with more than 24 years spent working in all aspects of banknotes and secure documents around the world. He's been with Landqart since 2011 where he joined as Regional Sales Director for the Americas, a role he still enjoys, alongside being the Director of Marketing Services whereby he oversees communications, product management, and design.

Barna graduated at the University of Szeged (Hungary) in 1996 and obtained an MBA diploma from University of Pecs (Hungary) in 2004.

He had already a background in printing when he joined JURA in 1996. During his years with Jura, Barna worked with many high security and government printers, conducted many training courses and consulted to the design of security documents. In the recent years he gave several presentations at various high security conferences on Jura's new developments, including the importance of prepress in security printing, new aspects of security designs for offset printing, and new possibilities by intaglio printing.

Neurocash® is a methodology developed by the Banco de España and the Instituto LENI (Polytechnic University of Valencia) for conducting innovative perception studies of cash based on the application of neuroscience and artificial intelligence that can be applied in different phases of the cash life cycle. Neurodesign of banknotes, coins, security features, assessment of the public perception of production defects, counterfeit resilience assessment and evaluation of the efficiency of communication campaigns are potential applications of this methodology.Neurocash® takes advantage of the latest technologies to study users’ biometric responses. Algorithms based on artificial intelligence analyse these responses to obtain neurometric indicators. Some of the advantages of Neurocash® are achieving cash that, in terms of design and security, is attractive, intuitive and secure, reducing development costs and meeting the requirements demanded by the public and other stakeholders.

I will try to focus on two questions:

(1) When we design a banknote, what is it that we are dealing with? – I will argue that we are dealing with an original, or that we are trying to create an original. But what is an original? In terms of philosophy? In terms of physics? And does the term 'origination', with which we are all familiar, perhaps have something to do with it?

(2) The theme of this conference is 'Holistic Design'. But what exactly does this little word 'holistic' mean? What is our sense of wholeness? – Isn't it a contradiction to be whole? Because to be whole, the whole must contain everything, and that means it must also contain its opposite: the not-whole. Will that still be whole? And how can we ever begin with the whole? In a beginning, what begins is not yet what it will become. So in the beginning, by definition, the whole is not yet the whole. But if we do not begin with the whole, we cannot begin with it at all. Neither in our thinking nor in our designs. Or perhaps we are missing a point. Perhaps we need to change our thinking. And maybe we need to change our design to a completely new design of the whole. A design where leaving means returning…

I will then try to show how these two questions relate to the design and production of a banknote. I will focus particularly on the concept, as I work mainly as a concept designer and will speak as such.

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Linking his studies in arts and philosophy Adrian Heuberger has been working as a concept designer since 2005. He played a key role in the team that designed the new Swiss banknotes from the very beginning, with a particular focus on developing the design concept – a project which spanned over a decade. Being a lecturer at Zurich University of the Arts he is also a sought-after speaker at various security design conferences.

In 2020, he joined Bundesdruckerei as a Senior Expert Currency Developer. His role involves exploring the boundaries of existing money design and elaborating new design possibilities for new forms of money. With his philosophical background, he places great importance on conveying a compelling and consistent story through images. He is the inventor of the new black house note series 'ExNihilo', a cooperation project dedicated to foster innovation in our industries.

Just as the top chef creates the foundation for his unique dishes through the selection and measured use of high-quality spices and fresh ingredients, the choice, harmonized design and coordinated combination of unique security technologies ensures the forgery resistance of identity documents.

This presentation demonstrates — using the example of "Who Stole the Honey" — an intuitive and self-explanatory design integration of independent, highly secure, Government-exclusive security technologies, including embedded optically variable elements, precisely coordinated with state of the art foil technology, security printing and advanced lamination technologies.

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HID invites you to step into the world of identity document design through the lens of Finland’s largest-ever transport identity project. This case study reveals the creative and technical journey behind redesigning Finland’s entire transport operator card ecosystem—spanning six distinct card families and 21 unique designs, from driving licenses to deep-sea pilot cards.

For government officials tasked with overseeing identity systems, this session offers a rare glimpse into the complexity and artistry required to deliver secure, compliant, and visually striking identity documents that stand the test of time.

Key highlights include:

•Designing for Diversity: How HID reimagined transport identity cards across road, maritime, aviation, and digital sectors, meeting both functional and aesthetic needs.

•Navigating Complexity: A behind-the-scenes look at balancing stringent European Union regulations with the intricacies of multi-sector identity design.

•Innovative Craftsmanship: Insights into the advanced techniques and collaborative efforts that produced Finland’s most secure and modern transport identity cards to date.

This presentation celebrates the often-overlooked art and science of identity design, showcasing how thoughtful collaboration and creative problem-solving can meet the highest standards of security, usability, and visual appeal.

This presentation provides inspiration and practical insights into how innovative design can transform national identity systems, making them future-ready while fostering citizen trust.

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In this presentation, Veridos will discuss the innovative enhancements to the eIDcards recently issued by the Ministry of Interior in Iraq. The ministry has successfully distributed over 41 million eID cards featuring black and white photos. However, a significant upgrade has been made with the integration of Veridos' "CLIP ID" color picture technology, marking a pivotal advancement in security documentation. This technology, which is also implemented in countries such as Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and Latvia, not only enhances the security features of the ID cards but also improves personalization. The presentation will cover the benefits and features of the new eID cards, exploring how the color picture technology enhances security and personalization. Additionally, the potential applications of this technology in other government services and its impact on improving the lives of Iraqi citizens will be discussed.

Robert has been working on the development of optical security features since 2008. He has been participating in the implementation of DOVIDs into polymer banknotes and has developed a unique technology for the integration of optical security features into polycarbonate documents. His team is currently working on the development of materials that will enable a major increase in the complexity of optical protection of identity documents as well as banknotes.

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Banknote design is subject to several tight boundaries, including security, cost, and longevity. Incorporating sustainability principles into banknote design is gaining momentum as a pivotal consideration in the security printing industry.

Only what is well understood can be engineered towards a defined outcome. The Central Bank, as the overall project owner, defines the product and its features, the security printer designs and produces the product, and commercial banks and CITs handle the product. The destruction of banknotes is carried out according to local legislation. Most life cycle stages are disconnected from each other for security reasons. Yet, all stages contribute to the environmental impact of the product. While the use phase mostly depends on local factors like climate or tradition of money use, the production phase can be modelled independently.

Orell Füssli’s Bees®”, the Banknote Environmental Evaluation Software offers a convenient graphical user interface to select and display a selection of materials and security features on a banknote. Based upon proven and tested data sets, it generates a variety of Life Cycle Assessment KPIs. Variants of banknotes under development can be compared with each other or with a preceding series. With BEES®, OFS provides a service to Issuing Authorities to enable informed decisions on the environmental impact of a banknote, especially during the design and development stage.

The disposal of banknotes presents unique challenges due to their material composition, environmental impact, and increasing volume resulting from currency lifecycles. This presentation explores compact and sustainable solutions for banknote disposal, focusing on innovative methods that balance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ecological responsibility. Strategies such as material separation of polymer and cotton, recycling into industrial or construction materials are evaluated for their potential to reduce landfill dependency and carbon footprint. Emphasis is placed on scalable, closed-loop systems that align with circular economy principles, offering practical approaches for central banks and print works facilities to meet sustainability goals while maintaining security and confidentiality.

This presentation addresses the eco-design of Euro banknotes, highlighting key challenges and opportunities in enhancing sustainability. We review past efforts and emphasise the importance of eco-design principles. Key outcomes from the 2019 Product Environmental Footprint study are discussed, focusing on extending banknote lifespan, using lower-impact materials, and improving disposal. The eco-design tool is introduced and its use in the process is
explained when assessing potential design changes, including substrates, security features, and end-of-life treatments. Strategies for stakeholder engagement and public awareness are outlined, emphasising the role of education.

We will discuss how the Veridos MobileID is not only designed to evolve with emerging technologies and adapt to changing regulatory landscapes but also how it addresses challenges associated with widespread adoption. We will explore potential hurdles such as public acceptance, data security concerns, and integration with existing systems. The presentation will include ways to overcome these challenges, ensuring the platform's long-term relevance and effectiveness.

In today's regulated sectors, such as passports and driver’s licenses, the focus is shifting to digital files replacing physical ones. But what about the vast array of non-regulated security documents—birth certificates, diplomas, and similar? These remain crucial, yet they lack the innovation seen in regulated counterparts.

The question is clear: How can High-Security Printers (HSPs) introduce digital security features into these files while maintaining and even enhancing the relevance of their physical value proposition?

Verifiable credentials represent an open-standard ecosystem designed for creating, sharing, and authenticating digital information. This framework ensures security and privacy, enabling data to be trusted and validated without relying on central authorities.

As industries shift towards digital workflows and paperless offices, the overall volume of printed materials, particularly non-regulated ones, is expected to decline.

By combining the proven physical security of traditional documents with verifiable digital credentials, HSPs can offer interchangeable claims. This not only bolsters the assurance level of physical forms, but also creates new, compelling value propositions for end users.

Let’s explore how this innovative approach can redefine the future of secure documentation, bridging the physical and digital worlds seamlessly.”

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The citizen ID document market continues to see a rise in smartcard penetration to accommodate the convergence of physical and digital identity/security. 

 Identification documents now act as a multiplier to access various government services (onsite/online).  The ID industry highly values all-in-one secure identification document concepts that are robust, of high quality, difficult to replicate while easy to verify and remember for core government ID document programs.  

 ID documents created using Specialty Films together with multi-layer security features can help deter document counterfeiting and alteration.  For secure ID documents, this can start with the raw substrate material, film production, security features including variable personalization in protecting the citizen document’s physical and digital chip elements within. 

 This industry presentation will showcase the latest all-in-one passport and ID card concepts leveraging specialty films and security features for strong citizen identification. 

Oberthur Fiduciaire will showcase the latest advancements in its cutting-edge lenticular-based micro-optical thread, Anima™, which provides instant recognition through dynamic movement effects and custom-designed features.

Banknote examination may include multiple approaches. Starting from visual inspection up to advanced forensic research. This presentation will focus on the ways to check banknote magnetic protection that is invisible to the naked eye but is essential for banknote authenticity verification.

The magneto-optical technology is recommended to be used for visualization of the security potential inherent at the banknote production stage. The slides will show magnetic protection of intaglio printing fragments, banknote serial numbers, security threads and optical features like SPARK®.

You will hear about magnetic characteristics that provide the description of a material's unique magnetic properties and about magnetic topograms that allow evaluating the full range of magnetic printing features.

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The agile KINEGRAM® represents the benchmark in security solutions for banknotes. With its cutting-edge vector-based, computer-generated technology, the agile KINEGRAM® not only offers unparalleled visual effects and brilliant brightness but also introduces dynamic movement and depth. Engineered with precisely controlled diffractive structures, it has set the standards in security and engagement. Discover how this exclusive technology ensures highly effective protection for banknotes, utilizing a unique technology.

Ian joined the security printing industry in 1990, working in production
control, product management and sales roles at De La Rue.

Ian joined KURZ in 2001, with responsibility for sales of foil for
commercial security documents and brand protection.

Since 2011 Ian has dealt with sales of KINEGRAM® foil for banknotes in
various regions around the world.

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As financial crimes like money laundering grow in sophistication, developing nations must adopt innovative solutions to safeguard their economies. In Ghana, the introduction of the Ghana Card, a biometric national identification system, is transforming the country's approach to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) initiatives.

The Ghana Card, issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), contains comprehensive biometric data and serves as a single, verifiable source of identity across all sectors. Financial institutions have integrated this system into Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, enabling real-time identity verification, reducing the risk of fraud, and ensuring traceability of financial transactions. I will discuss how the card’s unique national identification number (NIN) links individuals to their financial activities, allowing regulatory bodies to track suspicious transactions and prevent illicit funds from entering the financial system.

By centralizing identity verification, Ghana is creating a robust AML infrastructure, improving transparency and reducing compliance costs for financial institutions. This presentation will also provide insights into the successes, challenges, and future of using national ID systems for AML activities, offering a valuable blueprint for other nations looking to modernize their AML strategies.

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Emmanuel Kpakpo Brown boasts a 14-year tenure at Ghana's National Identification Authority, where he now serves as Principal Officer in Technology & Biometrics.

Holding a Master of Science degree in Information Technology & Law and a Certified Identity Management Professional (CIMP®), he's a key figure in Africa's digital identity arena. Formerly VP of the ID4Africa Identity Council; spent six annual terms as Ghana's ID4Africa Ambassador and contributed a paper to the industry’s prestigious Keesing Journal of Documents & Identity 2019 – 2020 Annual Report.

Brown is a reputable international speaker and has presented papers at several international identity conferences in several countries across the globe. A few of them include the African Union’s 5th Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration (COM5) in Lusaka, Zambia – 2019; Reconnaissance International’s year 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 High Security Printing – EMEA in Warsaw-Poland, St. Julian’s – Malta, Lisbon-Portugal, and Tallinn-Estonia respectively.

With 19 years in public service, his expertise spans over a decade in the Biometrics and Identity Management industry.

The presentation will educate attendees about the vital role that color theory and analysis play in high-security printing. By going back to the basics, this session will cover the challenges of color reproduction in security documents, focusing on colors that are hard for digital printers and photocopiers to replicate. By using visual demonstrations of photocopied documents and comparing them to genuine ones, the presenters will highlight the differences in color accuracy. The presentation will also explore limitations of digital and photocopying technology in replicating intricate color shifts and patterns. Finally, the session will conclude with real-world applications and examples of how these colors are strategically used to prevent counterfeiting in secure documents such as passports, ID cards, and currency.

The fraud landscape of Identity Verification continues to evolve, with new threats emerging regularly. This fast-paced environment continues to develop in fascinating ways. Join us for highlights and details from Entrust's latest annual Identity Fraud Report. 

Counterfeiting is a growing global crisis, costing economies over $500 billion annually and threatening the security of government programs, industries, and citizens. Traditional security measures—such as UV inks, holograms, and microtext—are no longer sufficient to counter the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by counterfeiters. To address this escalating threat, innovative, scalable digital solutions are essential.

This session explores groundbreaking digital security technology to safeguard physical assets such as currency, passports, national IDs, and more. Combining secure digital watermarks with AI-powered copy detection enables real-time, on-site authentication using standard mobile devices, eliminating the need for specialized tools. This innovation seamlessly integrates with existing security designs, enhancing efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of protection.

Attendees will learn how this advanced solution complements traditional physical features, enabling item-level verification and centralized data collection for actionable intelligence. They will also explore how governments and high-security printers can leverage these tools to outpace counterfeiters, protect revenue, and strengthen trust in critical government and high-end commercial brand protection programs.

Join us to discover the future of high-security printing and learn how digital innovation is revolutionizing the fight against counterfeits in an era of rapidly evolving threats.