Surface-applied optical features remain directly exposed to circulation conditions. In demanding environments, degradation of the feature can become a limiting factor even while the underlying polymer substrate remains serviceable.
Continuous friction from mechanical counting, commercial automated cash handling, wallet abrasion, and manual teller sorting.
Repetitive localized deformation, severe folding, crumpling, and pocket shear forces acting directly on surface foil interfaces.
Direct vulnerability to environmental factors including tropical ambient humidity, liquid water immersion, dirt ingress, and ultraviolet radiation.
Contact with aggressive substances during circulation, such as human sweat, lipid oils, household detergents, and laundering agents.
Relocating optical diffractive security into the multilayer polymer matrix.
PolyShielded relocates the optical feature from the exposed surface into the multilayer polymer architecture. Protected within the polymer structure, the optical element is designed to increase resistance to removal, abrasion and environmental exposure while maintaining clear optical transmission.
Relocating security inside the matrix
Aligning feature lifespan with substrate life
Continuous artwork and smooth planarity
Engineered for established security printing
Two manufacturing pathways demonstrated through physical reference specimens and house notes.
A high-security optical foil is hot-stamped with high registration precision onto an intermediate polymer film, followed by adhesive application and high-precision multilayer lamination.
A UV-curable coating is applied to reproduce diffractive microstructures directly onto a polymer film layer, followed by instant curing, selective demetallisation, and final protective lamination.
All visual and technical specimen references represent house notes, research demonstrators, and technology prototypes produced by Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer. They do not represent issued sovereign banknotes.
A technical demonstrator specimen incorporating a demetallised KINEGRAM® optical stripe running vertically inside the polymer substrate, visible through a full-height clear window zone.
Demonstrated Feature
Full-length vertical registered KINEGRAM® stripe embedded within BOPP
A demonstrator specimen showcasing high-resolution diffractive microstructures replicated using UV cast-and-cure technology, selectively demetallised, and sealed between polymer layers.
Demonstrated Feature
Sub-micron diffractive optical patch cured directly onto internal layer
The house note specimen presented in Q&T's 2026 technical capability profile, engineered to demonstrate multi-tier feature integration and direct comparison between embedded and surface-applied features.
Demonstrated Feature
Six security features: five inside the polymer matrix, one on the surface
Verified intellectual property, strategic partnership, advanced metallisation investment, and certified high-security manufacturing scope.
Granted patent covering a multilayer polymer structure incorporating an internal diffractive optical element within the substrate architecture and methods for manufacturing the same.
Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer signed a Project Development Cooperation Agreement with LEONHARD KURZ for integration of KINEGRAM® security features into Q&T polymer banknote substrate, jointly developing the process and product toward industrial maturity.
Q&T's investment in the BOBST VISION K5 HS 1350 mm metalliser equipped with AluBond® technology delivers superior metal adhesion and high barrier uniformity across polymer films, providing the fundamental manufacturing capability for high-precision optical metallisation and demetallisation.
Certificate Reference: 202509339
Historical note: Introduced in 2025 under an earlier development name.
Our security team can provide detailed OVD integration specifications, compatibility assessments, and sample substrates for your evaluation.
Available exclusively to central banks, state printing works, licensed commercial security printers, and accredited security-document evaluators.