2026 Review

Richard Perera is the Director of Marketing Services at Landqart AG, where he oversees Product Management, Design, and Communications. Since 2011, he has held various roles within the company, beginning with sales operations in the Americas. With over 25 years of experience in the currency industry, Richard possesses a unique end-to-end understanding of the global cash cycle, from high-security substrates to complex distribution networks. Having worked extensively with government and commercial clients worldwide, he brings a strong strategic perspective on currency innovation. Richard holds Masters’ degrees from the University of St Andrews in Business Management and International Relations.

More and more cash systems throughout Europe are being equipped with Intelligent Banknote Neutralization Systems (IBNS). The purpose of these systems is to secure banknotes against unauthorized access, such as forceful entry into a cash dispenser (ATM).

In the eurozone, the nature of ATM attacks tends to be transnational, meaning that attacks carried out in one country often involve suspects originating from another country. Consequently, IBNS-ink-stained banknotes frequently end up in a different country than where the crime was committed. It is therefore important to know how to detect these banknotes and to share information between countries.

In my presentation, I will provide an overview of the current state of play and discuss the role of (central) banks in detecting IBNS-ink-stained notes within the cash cycle. Finally, I will share our experiences in the Netherlands with the application of IBNS-glue-based systems to neutralize banknotes during ATM attacks.

Elisa van den Heuvel is a senior policy advisor at De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), specializing in counterfeit resilience of banknotes, IBNS inks, and testing new security features in collaboration with the European Central Bank. Since 2023, she has held a research position at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, working with forensic scientists and police on banknote and ATM attack investigations. In July 2025, she also joined the Maastricht Forensic Institute as a forensic handwriting expert. Previously, Elisa worked at the Netherlands Forensic Institute in roles ranging from senior scientist to program director. She holds a PhD in cognitive psychology.

Central banks face increasing challenges in designing banknotes that balance durability, usability, connection and security against evolving counterfeiting threats. Banco de España has developed ABT (Application of Banknotes and Technology), a comprehensive and unbiased database developed to support evidence-based decision-making in the design of new banknotes and the integration of advanced security features. Comprising 9,822 banknotes from 180 countries, and 837 concept banknotes from 32 manufacturers, represent 91% of banknotes in circulation. To date, 586 banknotes from the most recent series have been thoroughly analysed, with the number steadily increasing as additional issues are received. ABT consolidates up-to-date information from multiple domains, including design’s elements, technologies, substrates and security features. By providing structured, comparable data, it enables Central Banks to evaluate trends, emerging technologies and global best practices. Through the ABT, the Banco de España offers access to a valuable database and tailored professional reports. By combining rigorous analysis with a comprehensive and evolving archive, the ABT delivers precise, up to date information and advances knowledge of the latest design and security technologies. It serves as a valuable reference for institutions engaged in the development and design of future banknote series.

The year 2025 marks the 1000th anniversary of the coronation of Bolesław Chrobry/ Boleslaus the Brave. On this occasion, PWPW and National Bank of Poland have issued a new collector's banknote with both horizontal and vertical layout. The presentatation will focus on the creation process of this new note starting from design phase and will highlight state-of-the-art security features including PWPW’s own solutions. Every year, the company releases a new collector's banknote, confirming its position as a designer and security printer not only for circulating banknotes but also in the field of collector’s banknotes.

Aleksander Godyń has over 10 years of experience in international trade. He has been working in international business in various sectors such as automotive, construction and retail. Since 2022 he is working at Polish Security Printing Works PWPW S.A, as International Sales Manager, responsible for sales on EMEA market.

In this presentation Howard will discuss the role of the U.S. Currency Education Program and its role in the global payments system. He will also discuss takeaways from recent research on cash usage and counterfeits in the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally to this, Howard will conclude by highlighting a few of the CEP’s free resources and partnership opportunities.

Howard Williams is a global public affairs and strategic communications strategist with experience shaping reputation, policy-aligned messaging, and public trust for major institutions. He manages the Federal Reserve Board’s Currency Education Program, leading domestic and international outreach to strengthen global understanding of U.S. currency security and use. Howard has directed multi-million-dollar campaigns, advised senior executives and policymakers, and led global teams and agencies across high-stakes policy, financial, and corporate environments.

His career spans corporate, agency, and public-sector leadership roles, including positions at Ogilvy Public Relations, AT&T, Golin, Elsevier, and through his own consultancy.

Howard holds an MPS in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University and a BA in Communications from the University of Maryland.

CHROMA is the world’s first full-colour laser engraving technology for polycarbonate identity documents, delivering lifelike portraits with up to 16.7 million colours equivalent to 1200 DPI. Developed by TOPPAN Security, the technology embeds vibrant images beneath the surface for unmatched durability, tamper resistance, and compliance with ICAO standards. Using a single laser source and subtractive colour model, CHROMA achieves the highest definition in the market, photo-realistic portraits with unparalleled vibrance, and maximum security through subsurface engraving. This is a new standard for colour laser portraits.

Natascha Trivisas is the Chief Marketing Officer at TOPPAN Security, overseeing product marketing, brand, and communications across physical and digital identity and payment solutions. Based in Dubai since April 2025, she began her career in politics and lobbying, building expertise in stakeholder engagement and strategic messaging before moving into the identity and biometrics sector. She gained industry experience at Veridos and later at HID, advancing through senior marketing roles and leading global go to market programs for secure identity technologies. She also led the launch of Chroma™ pure colour laser technology, introduced by TOPPAN Security in 2025.

When it comes to the security features used for passports and ID cards (including national IDs and driver licenses), segregation would have been a wise strategy.

The industry understands this notion for banknotes - many features we see on banknotes are just not used elsewhere.

The gravest error in this area has been in the strategies used with polycarbonate for US driver licenses. Counterfeits of these documents are primarily used to access age restricted products and venues. This requires that the person have the current version of the license - not a prior version.

The market pressure for “fakes” of the newest licenses has pushed the counterfeiters to very quickly duplicate advanced security features used in new documents - including laser personalization (+ variable laser images), complex windows and tactile plate features.

The inadequate response to counterfeiting of US driver licenses has resulted in the expedited compromise of features that are also used in many passports and identity cards from around the world.

Many players can act to remediate this situation:

• US Authorities can coordinate across states to suspend the driving privileges of those who present counterfeit licenses
•  Issuers and vendors can aggressively work to add digitally signed printed elements to licenses and ID cards
• We can follow the lead from banknotes and use different design/security feature strategies for US driver licenses

The inevitable question is, of course, who will pay to shift gears in this area? Vulnerability of travel and identity documents is a global security issue. If we don’t pay soon, we will all pay eventually.

Elaine Wooton is a technical expert in the area of identity management and security documents. After a 30-year stint with the US government (DOJ-INS and DHS-ICE), she is providing consulting and education services to government, industry and community parties. Elaine’s focus areas include design strategies for security documents (especially the use of printed digitally signed elements), forensic document examination, and the evaluation and development of forensic tools to assess digitally created and reproduced documents. Elaine is a board member and technical advisor for the Document Security Alliance, an alliance of 120+ organizations focused on document security.

The Migration and Passport Office of the Principality of Liechtenstein is responsible for issuing passports and identity cards to its citizens. Over recent years, the entire application and issuance process has been continuously optimized to deliver greater efficiency for both citizens and the administration—while ensuring the highest security standards.

A major milestone was the introduction of live enrolment in 2024: paper forms and brought-in passport photos became obsolete. Biometric data is captured directly on-site, reducing errors and guaranteeing compliance with ICAO standards. Identity cards have been issued directly upon successful application for quite some time now.

With the launch of the new passport on 3 February 2026, this convenience will also apply to passports: citizens will be able to take their new passport home right after applying. This requires cutting-edge security in production and personalization, as well as seamless integration into existing workflows.

The presentation will showcase how Liechtenstein successfully combines operational efficiency and technological security bringing benefits to citizens and authorities alike.

Markus Biedermann has held various positions in the Liechtenstein administration since 2003. Among other positions, he served as Secretary General in the Ministry of General Government Affairs and Finance for eight years and as Secretary General in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Economy and Environment for four years. Since early 2025, he has headed the Migration and Passport Office, which is responsible for all travel and residence documents, foreigner permits and asylum matters. Markus Biedermann is a trained economist and has in-depth knowledge of the public sector, critical infrastructure and finance.

There is no doubt that Africa and the Middle East pose significant durability challenges for low seigniorage denominations. The monetary and environmental costs of frequent reprinting may be good for the industry, but are problematic for the Countries and Central Banks managing currency. This presentation explores currently available and realistic alternatives that have been used to address these issues with published and measurable results. The models presented show added value where suppliers absorb any perceived risks and allow Central Banks to make to best decisions for the public good with confidence. The published data and conclusions are compelling for any Central Bank considering their important leadership role in their local environments. This presentation is also a ‘must see’ to help Central Banks separate the facts from the fiction.

Lachlan McDonald is a Chemist and has over 29 years of international experience in banknote substrate and print. Over this time Lachlan has worked for Portals Ltd, De La Rue Currency and for the past 18 years, CCL Secure.

Since 2014 Lachlan has lived in Zurich and is currently on the EMEA regional management team responsible for CCL Secure’s technical support to Banknote printers, technology partners and Central Banks. This cover all areas from Banknote design, production and destruction and recycling.

The banknote industry continually evolves, leveraging sophisticated technologies to develop ad-vanced security elements that safeguard currency against counterfeiting and fraud. Innovations in printing techniques, optical features, and material science enable the creation of complex security components, such as micromirrors, color shifting effects, semi covert and covert features, that are integral to the authenticity and integrity of banknotes. Alongside these technological advancements, the industry is increasingly committed to sustaina-bility, incorporating environmentally responsible materials and production methods without com-promising security standards. This topic examines the dynamic interplay between cutting edge security technologies, sustaina-ble practices, and future trends within the banknote sector, offering insights into how the industry can maintain public trust, adapt to changing environmental expectations, and ensure the longev-ity and relevance of physical currency in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Bagnjuk Ewgenij is Regional Sales Director at Papierfabrik Louisenthal GmbH (Giesecke + Devrient), driving market development across Central Asia, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. He previously held senior sales roles at Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and Daimler AG, managing international markets and strategic partnerships. A former German Army officer, he served in leadership and operational positions, including ISAF deployment in Afghanistan. Ewgenij holds an MBA from ESB Business School, an M.Sc. in International Management, and a Diploma in Sports Science from the University of German Armed Forces.

Sneak Preview of the 2025 Global Banknote Shred Recycling Study Results.

 What really happens to shredded banknotes after destruction?

The 2025 Global Banknote Shred Recycling Study, conducted in Q4 2025 with participation from over 80 central banks worldwide, sheds new light on this question.

This sneak preview reveals early insights into current recycling practices, regional differences, and the realities behind sustainability ambitions in the banknote lifecycle. The findings highlight how central banks worldwide are dealing with regulatory requirements, technical constraints, and emerging opportunities to improve material recovery and environmental impact. 

The preview offers a first glimpse of the data and conclusions that will shape the full study and aims to spark discussion on the future of sustainable banknote destruction and shred recycling.

Jeroen Kusters is the Director of Sales for Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering and is part of Management Team of the company. He is the 4th generation in the Kusters family that has owned the company since it was founded in 1911. He is responsible for all global sales and marketing activities as well as all after-sales services. Jeroen grew up within the business and started his professional career within the company in 2005. Jeroen has lived overseas numerous times and has professional working experience in the UK, India, China and the United States. He is currently based at the Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering head office in Venlo, the Netherlands. Jeroen previously headed the Recycling division of Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering and is still very much involved with all activities that contribute to a cleaner and better world. His ambition is to bring the industry together to contribute to a more sustainable cash cycle, in which the destruction is an essential part.

Alexie Jullien is a Principal Product Sustainability Scientist at SICPA SA, Switzerland. She joined the company in 2014 and has contributed to different activities related to Product Compliance and Product Stewardship.

Since the end of 2022, she has been playing a key role in supporting the integration of Sustainability into Research and Innovation activities and processes.

She holds a degree in chemical engineering from the Superior National School of Chemistry in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

COO at Blendpaper
Mechanical and Industrial Engineer with specialization in Project Management (PMP). Specialist in security paper and banknote manufacturing processes, with expertise in continuous improvement, quality assurance, and operational excellence.

With leadership experience in the pulp and paper industry since 2007, he has led projects involving cotton-based fibers, banknote substrates, high-security papers, and sustainable solutions for the security printing industry.

The rapid growth of Africa's digital economy has prompted an increased focus on both governance and growth through identification and financial security convergence. Therefore, this paper will examine how digital identity systems (that include ePassports, mobile ID solutions, and secure documents) are responsively changing the way we view Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, national stability, and financial inclusion.

The paper is supported by case studies from Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana, and South Africa and will illustrate how the integration of secure printing, biometrics, and compatible global digital platforms are creating a connection between Identity and Integrity. The data-driven analysis and regional points of view in this paper will provide insights into the critical need for harmonising Document Security Technology, AML Legislation, and Trust - the three pillars of Africa's new Digital Identity Ecosystem.

Emmanuel Kpakpo Brown is in his 20th year in public service – an identity expert with over 15 years of experience in high-security printing, biometrics, and national identity systems. He is a Principal Officer for Technology and Biometrics at National Identification Authority - Ghana and has been part of the management team anchoring the Ghana Card programme. His industry credentials apart, he is also making inroads into academia and he is currently a PhD candidate in Information Technology, with research interests in Digital Forensics, Infotech & Law, DPI, Fintech - AML. He is an Ambassador Emeritus - ID4Africa and an active speaker/contributor to international discussions on secure identity ecosystems, digital ID and financial security, and public sector digital transformation.

A modern identity document is more than just a secure card; it is a reflection of our culture and collective identity. This presentation gives insights to the design journey behind the new generation Estonian ID card, a proud addition to the Estonian identity documents family. The new ID card introduces advanced security and modern aesthetics while maintaining a strong visual link to Estonian ID cards and passports already in circulation. The continuous design approach creates a sense of familiarity and continuity.

Eliisa Sau holds the position of development expert at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. With nearly 10 years of experience in the field of identity documents development, Eliisa has a proven track record in designing and implementing next generation ID cards and passports.

In today’s world, the demand for highly secure identification documents is rapidly growing due to increasing threats of identity fraud. To address this, ANY Security Printing Company’s latest sample passport brings together SICPA, IQ Structures, BP Security, and the expertise of ANY SecLab in a bold collaboration, resulting in a unique passport with state-of-the-art security features designed to prevent counterfeiting.

This project demonstrates how cutting-edge security technologies can harmonize with artistic vision to create a document that is both secure and visually compelling. Inspired by the planet’s diversity, the passport transforms each page into a narrative of nature and humanity, all realized through advanced printing techniques, unique materials, and next-generation digital solutions.

The presentation will explore the journey from concept to creation, highlighting the technical, aesthetic, and collaborative strategies that supported the development of the sample passport that is not only a secure document but also a symbol of creativity and partnership. We invite you to stay with us as IQ Structures presents the next chapter—unveiling their technology used inside the passport and showcasing how innovation shapes the future of secure identification documents.

“Your journey begins here, with the enduring strength of security”

Balázs Megyeri is the Chief Research and Development Officer at ANY Security Printing Company PLC. He has been a member of the ANY team since September 2015. He initially utilized his expertise and years of experience in the Printing Research and Development area as a chemical engineer, and since 2022, he has been the head of the research and development organization. From the beginning, he has played a role in the creation of innovative solutions and new patents in the field of document security. He is responsible for the expert, research and development, and production activities of the Document Security Laboratory, as well as the continuous provision of the security products and solutions distributed by the Company.

Data collection during the banknote printing process is today a must, not only for traceability and accountability reasons, but also to understand how the printing process is performing and to identify areas of improvement.

Serial numbers serve as the crucial link between sheet‑level production and individual banknotes. Ensuring high‑quality inspection and accurate data capture is therefore fundamental to reliably associate every piece of information with each banknote, starting from unprinted substrate and continuing through production and even circulation throughout a banknote's entire lifespan.

In this presentation, PARVIS will showcase its advanced numbering inspection technology and demonstrate how the collected data can be leveraged both to enhance traceability and to power Business Intelligence applications. Through concrete examples, we will illustrate the accuracy and capabilities of our numbering control.

Paolo holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Politecnico di Milano. Immediately after graduating, he began his career as a project manager in the military aircraft industry.

He later spent five years in international sales within the mechanical sector, gaining solid experience in global business development. In 2016, Paolo joined PARVIS, where he is currently a member of the board and director of the company’s sales, marketing and customers related activities.

Co-Authors: Pavlo Kozhukhar and Yuriy Agalidy.

This presentation focuses on the analysis of banknotes based exclusively on their magnetic properties, using magneto-optical (MO) technology as the underlying examination principle. It demonstrates the application of MO-based magnetic methods in banknote authentication and print quality control. Magnetic topograms are employed as a visual tool to assess the spatial distribution of magnetic ink, supported by amplitude analysis to evaluate signal strength and consistency. In addition, frequency-domain analysis using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is applied to characterise magnetic signal structures and identify deviations from expected patterns.

The advantages of these MO-based methods are discussed, including their non-destructive nature, high sensitivity to ink composition and printing parameters, and suitability for both qualitative and quantitative evaluation. The presentation highlights the widespread use of magnetic analysis in addressing authentication challenges and maintaining consistent printing quality during banknote production.

Keywords: magneto-optical technology, magnetic analysis, banknote authentication, magnetic topograms, amplitude analysis, FFT, print quality control

She has more than ten years of professional experience at a forensic science institution, specializing in the technical examination of documents and examination of document materials. Since last year, she has been working at Regula as an Expert of Product, where she applies her expertise in document examination and product-related solutions. In addition, she is involved in training other experts in the use of specialized examination equipment.

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

Compass Banknote Intelligence offers a unique opportunity for organizations involved in banknote manufacturing as well as government issuing authorities. This innovative software solution is designed to import, store and analyse data collected from across the cash cycle, and supports fact-based decision making in banknote design and many other use cases. It drives the integrity and security of banknote production and issuance processes.

This tool provides central banks and issuing authorities with deep insights into the quality and performance of circulating banknotes. By interpreting key production and processing parameters, this solution enables improved design decisions, enhanced quality control, and greater operational efficiency throughout the banknote lifecycle.

Gyula, currently based in London, works within the Software Sales and Consultancy team, focusing on software and data-driven solutions in Currency Technology. He brings extensive experience from large-scale digital transformation initiatives in commercial banking, alongside more than 7 years working closely with central banks, including 5 years based in the UAE covering the MEA region. Earlier in his career, he collaborated extensively with Microsoft on complex banking transformation programmes. In his current role, he supports the positioning and adoption of Compass Banknote Intelligence, helping central banks translate cash-cycle analytics into decisions.

SAFEGUARD® stands as a global benchmark in polymer banknote technology, trusted by 30 issuing authorities and used in 95 denominations across five continents. Renowned for its exceptional durability and usability, it also delivers advanced security through a comprehensive suite of visually engaging and highly secure printed, applied and embedded authentication and anti-counterfeit features. Yet at De La Rue, progress never pauses. Our multidisciplinary teams, spanning scientific research, product development and advanced manufacturing, are driving an ambitious innovation roadmap set to redefine industry standards and shape the future of secure currency through cutting-edge product and feature development.

Gareth has worked across the Currency, Cash Processing and Authentication industries for the past 23 years. He is currently responsible for the management of De La Rue’s business across the Middle East and North Africa, having previously managed the UK, Europe, Caribbean and Southern African regions. Gareth has extensive experience working directly with Central Banks and Issuing Authorities on the introduction of new banknotes. Over the past 13 years he has led significant projects across the UK, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean involving the design, manufacture and launch of 86 new banknotes, including multiple launches of entire banknote series and more than 60 conversions from paper to polymer substrate.

IDs are evolving in layout, design, and functionality in line with ICAO guidelines to counter emerging phygital threats that combine physical and digital attack vectors. At the same time, advances in origination, materials science, and next-generation optical security features are enhancing security, durability, and ease of authentication. This presentation will examine the evolving OVD security landscape, highlighting key trends and innovations shaping the next generation of optical security features for modern identity documents.

PWPW presents its innovative, vertically oriented ID1-format identification card – a forward-looking solution designed to meet the evolving demands of modern identity verification. Featuring a refined, contemporary layout, this new format significantly improves the legibility of personal data and identification of the document holder while establishing a new standard in document security. The proposed new security features effectively prevent forgery. Every aspect of the card – from its structural design to its advanced security features – has been meticulously engineered to ensure fast, reliable, and standards-compliant identity authentication in today’s world.

Paweł Kopycki has worked in PWPW since 2014, initially in Purchasing Department where he was responsible mostly for investment purchases. Since 2023 he has been working as Deputy Sales Director. He is a graduate of Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw School of Economics, University of Warsaw and Kozminski University in field of sales, procurement, management, coaching and engineering.

This presentation highlights Liberia’s transition from fragmented, manual processes to modern Work Permit, Visa on Arrival and Re-entry Permit Cards toward the establishment of a comprehensive centralised National Foreigner Register. Driven by the need to enhance security, transparency, and efficiency in the management of foreign residents, Liberia embarked on a structured modernisation of its identity system. The presentation addresses the challenges encountered during implementation, the key benefits achieved, and shares key lessons learned that may be valuable for other countries seeking to modernise identity systems. The presentation concludes with Liberia’s long-term vision of a secure, transparent, and digitalised identity system for foreigners, aligned with international best practices and supporting broader public-sector digitalisation.

Ernest Boakai is a Key Account Manager at CETIS, one of Europe’s leading providers of security printing solutions. After several years collaborating with CETIS as a consultant for Liberia, he joined the company as a Key Account Manager in 2019. He has been involved in the successful implementation of many government projects across Africa. Leveraging CETIS’s turnkey solutions for identity management and secure document issuance, Ernest supports governments in modernising national identity systems and enhancing public administration efficiency. He holds a BSc in Marine Engineering from the Regional Maritime University and an Honors Diploma in Networking Engineering from NIIT Technology Institute, Ghana.

Mrs. Tamta Petviashvili has served as a deputy head of the department of Civil Registry in LEPL Public Service Development Agency (PSDA), under the Ministry of Justice of Georgia since May, 2022.

As a deputy director of civil registry, she coordinates civil acts registration, issuing identity/travel documents, citizenship and migration related issues, apostille and legalization in Georgia.

Tamta has served different positions in the Ministry of Justice of Georgia since 2013. Prior to moving in PSDA, she worked on human rights, particularly, in the department of State Representation in International Courts. Previously, she held a position of public information officer in Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

Mrs. Tamta Petviashvili also has an experience of working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia in early years of her career. Mrs. Tamta Petviashvili studied law in Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU), where she also graduated with master’s degree in Public International Law.

Natalia has been working at the LEPL Public Service Development Agency (PSDA) of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia since 2010 across multiple departments and currently holds the positions of IT Change Manager and Project Manager for Georgia’s new generation ePP and eID program.

Generative AI is transforming identity fraud by enabling highly realistic fake ID documents at scale, threatening trust in physical identity systems. This presentation explores how innovative security features can stay ahead of AI-driven attacks. It showcases next-generation document security solutions—combining advanced materials, visual effects, and hybrid physical-digital protections—that are easy to verify, difficult to replicate, and resilient against AI-generated fraud. Attendees will gain insight into how innovation in physical security design can help protect identities and preserve trust in an increasingly AI-powered world.

Thomas Poreaux is the Pre-Sales and Delivery Director within IN GROUPE’s Secure Components division, based in Paris, France. In this strategic role, he works closely with governments and companies worldwide to define, design, and deliver secure identity documents tailored to their sovereign and operational needs.

He specializes in the deployment of state-of-the-art security solutions—including holograms, electronic components, chips, and advanced security features—aimed at effectively combating identity document fraud and ensuring the highest levels of trust and reliability. His primary focus is to drive complete customer satisfaction by delivering innovative, robust, and customized solutions.

Thomas is also a member of the Documents Security Working Group of the Secure Identity Alliance (SIA), an international organization dedicated to supporting the provision of legal, trusted, and secure identities for all.

Prior to his current position, Thomas served as Product Director for Identity Documents for four years at INSI - IN GROUPE. He also held various roles at Arjowiggins Group and Bloomoon, where he developed strong expertise in marketing strategy and consulting.

Thomas holds a Master’s degree in Marketing and Sales from EM Normandie Business School.

Micro-perforation is a future-oriented technology that combines the highest protection standards with economic efficiency. It offers innovative and cost-effective solutions for the serialization and customized design of banknotes, passports, and other documents to be protected. The precise process enables the creation of highly detailed security features and integrates seamlessly into high-security printing environments.

By eliminating the need for consumables and enabling flexible, creative design integration, micro-perforation significantly enhances resistance to counterfeiting while optimizing production processes. This makes it a sustainable, precise, and highly adaptable tool for high-security printers seeking to balance robust security with creative freedom.

Oliver Kostenbader has been with ZEISER GmbH for over 20 years. He began his career with an apprenticeship as an electronics engineer and later earned a Bachelor Professional in Electrical Technology. Since 2018, he has served as Head of Key Account Banknote at ZEISER, where he is responsible for global sales as well as product and project management. Before assuming this role, Oliver worked as a Sales Engineer and Project Manager, focusing on technical sales consulting and the execution of customer projects. He also gained international experience as a Service Engineer, providing worldwide customer support. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he is currently completing an Executive MBA program in Switzerland. Driven by his passion for the serialization of high-security documents, Oliver holds several patents for innovative numbering-box technologies.

Banknote design is ultimately about creating and maintaining trust. And, this feeling of trust must be created in an incredibly short period of time that is more often measured in milliseconds than actual seconds or minutes.

Both humans and machines rely on visual cues and markers to ensure a feeling of confidence and trust as part of the authentication process. These cognitive triggers must address a wide variety of users in a wide variety of environments and remain inclusive and functional throughout the entire lifecycle of the banknote.

Today, with so much feature, substrate and design content choice available to Central Banks our community needs a systematic approach to convert such overwhelming levels of choice into informed and objective decisions that will ultimately ensure project success. Turning ‘choices’ into ‘decisions’ involves transversal dialogue and consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from the public to the organisations who actually manage the way cash is accessed, moved and used in society.

That is where we come in…and that is exactly why many Central Banks count on our Central Bank Solutions team to support them in their banknote design project. Our Award-Wining design process (Central Banking 2025 Innovation Award Winner) empowers data-driven decision-making by objectively turning questions into answers, confusion into certainty and problems into solutions. This enables Central Banks to make tangible and confident decisions that balance aesthetic excellence with inclusivity and feature functionality, for both the public and machines. Our neutral status preserves the integrity of the design process and enables us to deliver meaningful insights to eliminate risk and ensure transparency.

At Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, we believe that a banknote is far more than a secure means of payment — it is a touchpoint of culture, trust, and national expression that is made possible through the design process. When a banknote is designed with data, intention and purpose, it places autonomy directly into people’s hands, enabling true independence and societal resilience by harnessing the power of trust. Success cannot simply be left to chance when designing a product that so many people depend on and place their trust in.

Join us to discover how a systematic model, combining technology with social and user purpose, is redefining the way we design banknotes today. We will share concrete case studies from recent projects, illustrating how our approach ensures the ultimate success of the banknote as it circulates through cash infrastructures and the hands of the public. Join us to discover how data, not chance, is redefining secure banknote design today.

Strategic Engagement Manager at Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, Rebecca supports the company’s strategic vision through high-level engagement with governments, central banks, and supra-national institutions.

With over a decade of professional experience across Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia, she brings a global perspective shaped by hands-on work within diverse institutional and business contexts.

Prior to joining Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, Rebecca worked in market development consulting across multiple industries, supporting organizations in identifying growth opportunities and translating strategy into actionable initiatives.

Her work centers on bridging organizational capabilities with market needs to drive long-term value creation in specialized and evolving markets.

Discover how a collaborative approach transforms a Central Bank’s vision into coherent, secure, and meaningful banknotes.

This session explores the methods that align creativity, security features, and technical constraints into a unified design process. 

Through insights and examples, learn how to ensure every note faithfully reflects your institution’s identity and values.

Join us to see how art, security, and innovation seamlessly converge through true collaboration.

Lionel Chircop has worked in the fiduciary industry for more than 15 years (transport, identity and banknote ones)as international business development manager. Graduate from the international KEDGE Business School, he joined Oberthur Fiduciaire in 2017.Lionel is responsible of promoting Oberthur Fiduciaire and VHP Security Paper’s products and solutions in Africa.

Celebrating over five decades of innovation, Hueck Folien stands as a global expert in high-security features for banknotes and official documents. As a family-owned company, Hueck Folien has consistently set new standards in security printing – serving over 70 countries and 200 denominations worldwide. This presentation will highlight key milestones, recent developments, and a forward-looking vision for the industry. Attendees will discover award-winning concepts such as the Ocean Dollar and Cotton Cycles, both recognized for their sustainability and advanced security features. Special focus will be given to the Nanoswitch® security stripe – a breakthrough in nanoengineered optical security. Join us to explore how precision, creativity, and sustainability are shaping the future of secure printing, and how Hueck Folien continues to redefine what’s possible in currency protection.

Jan Hofmann holds a diploma in Printing Engineering and Economics from the Printing University in Stuttgart, Germany. After several years working as a Producer in the commercial printing and packaging industry, he transitioned into the banknote industry in 2006. As Regional Sales Director at Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, he was responsible for the sales of banknotes, as well as commodities and machinery. In 2015, he joined Hueck Folien GmbH as Head of Sales for their Security Division, where he is now responsible for the sales of high-security threads and foils.

Stefaan D’Hoore holds a Master in Chemical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Technology at KU Leuven (Belgium). He joined SunChemical in 1998 where he held different management positions. Since 2008 Stefaan has been leading the Security Inks business at SunChemical. In 2016, Stefaan got promoted to Business Development Director and helped growing the security business to a multi-million business. After the acquisition of Luminescence and the creation of the Luminescence, SunChemical Security Division, Stefaan became Business Development Director Security Solutions.

Stefaan has been involved in growing the tax stamp business at Luminescence, SunChemical Security, worked on the introduction of a nationwide secure Deposit Return Scheme for beverage containers and is now focusing on phygital solutions for revenue protection.

TJ Turk is a pioneer of digital security printing and AI-driven authentication, and an innovator in forensic design and anti-counterfeiting technologies. With 34 years in the printing industry, he is widely regarded as one of its most influential experts, helping shape the evolution of modern, next-generation security printing worldwide.

This presentation shows how an integrated MES/ERP transforms the complexity of high-security print environments into sustainable operational excellence. With a vertical integration across the enterprise and production layers that combines costing, planning, production control, quality management and complete process traceability, it works to reduce waste, optimize machine performance, enhance data transparency and helps making faster decisions based on real-time information.

Helder Martins is Director for Printing & Packaging at Sistrade, with extensive experience supporting industrial, commercial and security printing organizations worldwide, he’s specialized in digital transformation, MIS/MES solutions and smart manufacturing strategies that enhance traceability, compliance and operational efficiency in these environments. With more than two decades in the industry, Helder works closely with different organizations to address complex production, security and sustainability issues using advanced technological solutions.

Demax brings 3D light-field technology to a thin single layer diffractive structure for easy and cost-effective implementation in security documents.

Light field technology represents the next generation of anti-counterfeiting solutions, offering unparalleled security and intuitive verification for passports, ID cards, driving licenses, banknotes and other high-security documents. By capturing and reproducing the full 4D light field (both intensity and direction of light rays), the technology delivers dynamic, photorealistic 3D effects that are nearly impossible to replicate with traditional printing or copying methods.

In security documents light-field technology is typically implemented using a layer of micro-lens arrays and a layer of micro-images (different perspectives of the object viewed by every micro-lens). When combined, these two layers reconstruct an enlarged image that exhibits full parallax and 3D depth.

While the two-layer system can deliver compelling visual effects, it also presents some inherent challenges for document security. The multilayer structure increases overall thickness and rigidness of the substrate and depends on highly accurate alignment between the lenses and micro-images (even minor deviations in alignment can introduce distortions or degrade the intended 3D visual performance). This requires complex manufacturing steps, which increases the risk of inconsistencies during mass production.

Demax’s E-Motion™ effect overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks by using thin, single layer diffractive structure, where digitally computed or real scene captured micro-images are modulated with corresponding directional diffractive structures in such way that precisely preserves both the direction and intensity of light rays, allowing the reconstructed 3D object to appear with:

• Continuous, smooth parallax 
• High-resolution depth 
• Natural motion during tilt or rotation 
• Photorealistic details 

These dynamic visual cues are instantly recognisable to the human eye, providing a simple and intuitive method of verification.

 The use of diffractive structures provides advanced control over spatial and frequency domains, enabling the integration of additional optical effects such as: contrast switching, image switching, and parallax swapping. The result is a visually striking, multi-dimensional feature that is not only easy to authenticate but extremely difficult to counterfeit.

Technologically benefits:

• As both layers are formed simultaneously during mastering, alignment is perfect from the start, ensuring every produced element is distortion-free and identical to the original master, something other technologies cannot guarantee. 
• E-Motion effect as thin, single layer diffractive structure is easily implemented in mass production techniques for security documents and significantly reduces the production cost.

Micaal is a senior sales and marketing professional with over 15 years’ experience in the high security printing industry and government-issued documents. Having graduated from the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Manchester in the UK, in 2009 he joined Reconnaissance International, a UK-based consultancy for the currency and secure document sectors, first as Business Development Manager and subsequently taking on the role of Regional Director spearheading the company’s activities for the ID and travel documents markets, amongst other things. In early 2020 he joined Demax in Bulgaria - a leading supplier of security foils for government-issued documents - to lead the company’s international sales activities and has since been working with security printers and governments to deliver optical protection for passports, national identity cards and other high security documents. Micaal has contributed to a number of leading industry reports and market studies, was previously the editor of ID & Secure Documents News and has also served as General Secretary of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), now International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA).

The global excise control landscape is transforming. Revenue authorities are increasingly drawn towards fully digital approaches, including the use of non-secure 2D barcodes instead of high-security tax stamps, while at the same time facing soaring levels of illicit trade.

Against this backdrop, the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) plays an advisory, impartial role within the excise ecosystem. As a not-for-profit international trade body representing 29 leading providers of tax stamps, secure components, equipment, and traceability systems, ITSA advocates for resilient ‘phygital’ excise solutions that combine secure physical tax stamps with robust digital traceability, and that are independent from the industries they regulate.

In an environment of rapid technological change, ITSA’s objective is to establish itself as a leading global authority advising revenue agencies on effective, futureproof strategies for mobilising and protecting excise revenues while safeguarding legitimate trade.

This presentation introduces ITSA, its work, and the current landscape it operates in. But it is also a call to action to companies active in the excise tax stamp and traceability space that have not yet joined the ITSA movement.

To make its voice heard as a proponent of phygital, independent excise control solutions, ITSA needs to continually evolve and grow its membership. Therefore, this presentation explains why companies should consider becoming an ITSA member and what the key benefits are of signing up to this movement.

Tim McIntyre is Chairman of the International Tax Stamp Association (ITSA) and head of the Excise Control Division at Canadian Bank Note Company. The excise division is responsible for delivering Canada’s tax stamp programme to tobacco, cannabis and vape licensees, as well as other international excise programmes.

Previously, Tim was in the logistics industry, where he helped FedEx and Purolator (Canada’s top domestic courier company) to build and strengthen their government service verticals.

As Chair of ITSA, Tim is committed to reinforcing the association’s position as an impartial authority on tax stamp solutions around the globe, by ensuring ITSA’s ongoing active engagement with revenue authorities and governments.