Kurz security features protect new Australian $50 banknote

PRESS RELEASE

Higher levels of security for Australia’s new $50 banknote implemented
following the success of the RBA’s next generation $5 and $10 notes which also
feature Kurz’s KINEGRAM solution.
Sydney, 18 October 2018: Kurz, a leading supplier of foil-based security solutions, is pleased
to announce the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has today begun distribution of Australia’s
new $50 banknote, which features the Kurz KINEGRAM* in the clear window of the
banknote.
This unique technology solution enhances banknote protection while greatly reducing the
risk of counterfeit notes, utilising security features similar, yet uniquely different to those
implemented in the $5 and $10 banknotes issued in 2016 and 2017.
More than 15,000 counterfeit $50 notes were detected in circulation by the RBA in 2018,
making it Australia’s most counterfeited banknote. The KINEGRAM is featured in the new
note’s distinctive top to bottom clear window, with dynamic features that are easy to see as
the note is turned, and is one of several new security measures specified by the RBA to
protect all of their new generation Australian Banknotes.
Stephen Pratt, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand at Leonhard Kurz Australia, said:
“It is a great endorsement that the RBA continues to trust the KINEGRAM to secure the new
$50 banknote against counterfeiting threats. They join other leading issuing bodies such as
the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada who also place
their trust in the KINEGRAM to protect their Banknotes from being counterfeited.
“The new $50 note is visually stunning and tremendously detailed, and has a number of
security features incorporated into its production, all designed to make counterfeiting
incredibly difficult. The security features in the KINEGRAM clear window are extremely
difficult to replicate, yet designed to be easily recognisable at a glance, making it even easier
for business owners, cashiers and bank staff to spot any attempted counterfeits.
“We’re proud of the continuing trust the RBA places in KURZ to keep Australia’s new
generation banknotes secure, and we look forward to the rollout of the final two notes in
the series, the $20 and $100, which are expected to be issued in 2019 and 2020
respectively,” Pratt said.
The proprietary KINEGRAM optical technology, developed by Kurz’s subsidiary OVD
Kinegram, sets the benchmark for optical variable security features in billions of banknotes
around the globe.

*KINEGRAM is a proprietary foil based Optical Variable Device (OVD) which is used to
secure and protect government documents including drivers licences, passports and
banknotes (including Australia’s) in more than 120 countries. The distinguishing
characteristic of the KINEGRAM is movement – kine in Greek means to move – movement of
light, colour or shine (reflectiveness) across a given design. The optically variable elements
are fully transparent and can be lines or images, rainbow coloured or matt, changing to and
from a variety of colours, or be seemingly three dimensional, and on a passport or licence
can even be transparent replicas of the main portrait photograph. The possibilities for
designers are virtually endless; the effects are spectacular and result from the application of
optical science, married to advanced foil technology. To learn more about KINEGRAM visit
https://www.kinegram.com/en/home/ and for more information on Kinegram optical
technology, please visit www.kinegram.com/en/banknotes

About KURZ: The KURZ Group is a global leader in hot stamping and coating
technology. KURZ develops and manufactures decorative and functional layers applied to
carrier foils for a large variety of applications. The range includes metallized, pigmented
and holographic stamping foils for packaging or print products, surface finishes for
electronic devices or automotive parts, protective and decorative lacquers for furniture or
household appliances, authenticity features for brand name items, metallic applications
for textiles, and different types of coatings for many other applications. With over 5,000
employees in 14 production plants in Europe, Asia and the USA, 24 international
subsidiaries and a global network of agencies and sales offices, the KURZ Group
manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of products for surface finishing,
decoration, marking and counterfeit protection, rounded off by an extensive range of
stamping machines and stamping tools. KURZ also continuously invests in new
technologies, and is developing innovative solutions for integrating functionality into
surfaces.