Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer and the Future of Polymer Banknotes

PolySecure® and PolyShielded
 
PolySecure® is Q&T's multilayer polymer banknote substrate platform, developed for security printing, transparent-window integration and circulation performance.

PolyShielded builds on this architecture by placing selected optical security features within the polymer substrate structure rather than leaving them exposed only on the surface.

This embedded-security approach is intended to reduce exposure to physical wear while allowing the substrate and security features to be developed as an integrated system.

Independent Durability Assessment
 
An independent accelerated durability assessment, the Substrates Durability Assessment (May 2025), compared finished banknotes produced on Q&T substrate with banknotes produced on an unidentified reference polymer substrate.

The assessment evaluated four deterioration properties:

• Intaglio ink wear

• Offset ink wear

• Opacifying-layer wear

• Soiling

Under the defined test conditions, the Q&T substrate showed lower deterioration levels across the four evaluated properties.

Using the defined intaglio wear threshold, the assessment estimated a relative mean-life improvement of 79.5% ± 11.4% for the Q&T substrate compared with the reference substrate.

Study Scope

The UnderCurrency assessment was an accelerated laboratory comparison intended to estimate relative deterioration performance. Accelerated laboratory/circulation simulation estimates relative performance and does not directly establish an absolute real-world circulation lifespan.

It should not be interpreted as a universal guarantee of circulation life. Actual banknote performance can vary depending on circulation environment, handling conditions and withdrawal policies.

A Platform for Future Currency Programmes
 
Q&T's development programme combines polymer substrate manufacturing, embedded-security engineering and independently assessed durability performance.

PolySecure® provides the core multilayer polymer substrate platform, while PolyShielded extends that architecture toward embedded optical security technologies.

For central banks and security printers evaluating future polymer banknote programmes, detailed technical specifications and programme-specific information are available through Q&T's technical enquiry process.