NEWS - 2004

Vietnam launches world first high-security Sentinel®; polymer educational certificate
RMIT International University Vietnam will offer the world’s first educational certificate protected by Sentinel®; polymer technology. Educational certificates are regularly counterfeited to give the bearer false qualifications or qualifications of higher status. There is also the potential for counterfeit educational certificates to be used to create false identities.

The RMIT Educational Certificate is the first of its kind in the world and is arguably the most advanced in terms of security. The certificate uses the complex transparent window featured in polymer banknotes as the first line of defence against counterfeiting.

The State Bank of Vietnam has adopted the polymer technology for the currency of Vietnam and has issued three circulating denominations in polymer. Using the expertise developed during the design and printing of polymer banknotes in Vietnam, the National Banknote Printing Plant of the State Bank of Vietnam have used these skills to produce the certificate in Vietnam.

The substrate was manufactured by Securency International, the design created by State Bank designer Mr. Tran Tien and printed by Mr. Bui Cong Lu and his team of experts at the National Banknote Printing Plant, Vietnam.

The certificate was launched by Victorian Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky on 26 October. RMIT International University Vietnam was jointly supported at the launch by Securency International Pty Ltd and National Banknote Printing Plant.

On 26 October 2004, Bank Negara Malaysia introduced RM5 polymer banknotes, the first circulating polymer banknote to be issued in Malaysia.
The RM5 polymer banknotes are similar to the existing RM5 paper banknotes in design, colour and size. Some of the existing security features in the RM5 paper banknotes have been retained, but a few significant changes were made to incorporate security features that are unique to polymer banknotes.

The security features in the existing RM5 paper banknotes retained in the new RM5 polymer banknotes are:

See through feature is stylised hibiscus which is perfectly registered on the front and back of the banknotes and visible when held up to the light.
Intaglio printing of a multi layered special ink on the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong.
Micro lettering of "RM5" which can be viewed under magnifying glass.

The new security features incorporated in RM5 polymer banknotes are:

A clear window with the shadow image of the Prime Minister's Office at Putrajaya and an embossed printing of the numeral "5", both of which are visible from either side of the note.
Bank Negara Malaysia's logo the Kijang, printed in white and visible on either side of the note. On the back of the banknote, it will appear as a non-transparent window, with the Kijang Logo seen clearly.

Bank Negara Malaysia adopted durable polymer banknote technology to ensure a high quality standard of banknotes while in circulation. Assistant Governor Dato' Mohamad Daud Dol Moin in his speech at the launch of RM5, commented that the notes “should have a significantly extended lifetime as the RM5 polymer banknotes do not absorb dirt or liquids, stay clean and hygienic to handle. The over-coating varnish should also add to cleanliness, protect the printing, reduce ink rub-off or ink wear, and ink dust, under a normal condition of usage and handling.”

Enhanced machine processability of RM5 polymer banknotes will add to significant productivity and efficiency gains as high quality notes facilitate manual and machine-assisted notes processing.

With the introduction of the RM5 polymer banknote, Bank Negara Malaysia will discontinue the issuance of RM5 paper banknotes from circulation, however paper RM5 will continue to be legal tender until the paper banknotes are fully withdrawn over time.

NEW VND 100,000 POLYMER FOR VIETNAM

According to Le Duc Thuy (Governor of SBV) the VND 100,000 polymer banknote has been issued (1 September 2004) to enhance Vietnamese banknote quality and protect against counterfeiting. The existing VND 100,000 paper banknote is the most commonly counterfeited denomination using sophisticated technology.

Enhanced security features unique to polymer technology produced on the new note include two transparent windows, embossed image, shadow image, optical thread and the DOE™ feature.

SBV introduced Guardian®; polymer banknotes in 2003 for its VND 50,000 and VND 500,000 banknotes.

The Central Bank of Chile presents a new, more durable and secure, 2000 Peso bank note.
On 31st August 2004, the Central Bank of Chile presented the new 2000 Peso bank note. The new issue has the same design and security measures as the current series, and depicts a portrait of Manuel Rodríguez on the obverse and the Church of the Dominicans (Iglesia de los Dominicos) on the reverse. However, it also includes some significant technological novelties. It is printed on synthetic material, has two clear windows which are difficult to copy, as well as other security measures, such as external and internal microprinting and a "Shadow" image which can only be seen against the light and which will replace the current watermark.

The new 2000 Peso note is printed on a synthetic material: polymer. This material is more resilient, and prevents liquid from being absorbed and dirt from adhering to the note, all of which results in a longer useful life expectancy for the new note. Because of its increased durability, both the Central Bank and the financial system will save on printing and processing costs. The new note’s printing technology is currently used in over 20 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Brazil, among others.

The new 2000 Peso notes are compatible with cash and vending machines and other similar devices available in the market, although minor adjustments to equipment may be required in certain specific cases. In order to make this adjustment process easier, the Central Bank will meet with specialists in these areas before putting the new 2000 Peso note in circulation.

The new 2000 Peso note will come into circulation next Tuesday 7th September. The current 2000 Peso note, which is printed on paper, will no longer be issued, and will gradually disappear, as it completes its normal life cycle. In the meantime, it will maintain full legal validity and will coexist with the new note.

This modernisation initiative is part of the Central Bank’s constant effort to incorporate those technological innovations which enable the reliability, convenience and efficiency of the notes and coins currently in circulation in Chile to be maintained.

Translated from Banco Central de Chile website - 1.9.2004

BCMB Issues New Currency Notes 15th July 2004...
In conjunction with His Majesty’s 58th birthday celebration, the Brunei Currency and Monetary Board, BCMB, has issued safer, smarter and more secure $50 and $100 polymer notes. The newly redesigned $50 and $100 polymer notes features subtle background colours of red and gold, images of flower and a small transparent window to a point of light source. The Brunei Currency and Monetary Board will begin distributing the new notes to the public through commercial banks.
Acting Head Executive Officer at the BCMB, Awang Haji Mohd. Rosli bin Haji Sabtu, told a media conference that the move was part of the BCMB plan to continuously upgrade the quality and security of currency notes, to keep up with the trend of economic development and also a preventive measure against counterfeiting. The enhanced security features in this series of notes will undoubtedly help ensure that Brunei currency will continue to represent the trust, value and confidence of consumers all over the world. The new currency notes will co-circulate with the existing notes.

The redesigned $50 and $100 notes are the second in the series of issuance of the local currencies in polymer notes since the process began in 1996 with the $1, $5 and $10 notes.

SECURENCY INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES NEW JOINT VENTURE PARTNER

19/7/2004

Candover backs €320 million acquisition of UCB’s Films business
Candover*, a leading provider of equity for European buyouts, announced today that it has acquired UCB’s Films business, a manufacturer of speciality films, for a total consideration of €320 million. The business has been bought from UCB Group, a quoted Belgian pharmaceutical and speciality chemical company. The financing structure of the transaction has not been disclosed. Debt financing is being provided by ABN AMRO.

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, UCB’s Films business is a manufacturer of specialist orientated polypropylene (‘OPP’) and cellulose (‘Cello’) films. The OPP division has a portfolio of speciality packaging products, targeted on high growth niche markets. The Cello division enjoys a market leading position and is launching new biodegradable packaging products for food and transparent labels for beverage bottles. Both divisions have a strong and well-established customer base.

The Films acquisition includes a 50% shareholding in Securency International Pty Ltd, which manufactures and markets Guardian®; high security substrate for polymer banknotes and substrates for government security documents worldwide. The high-tech polymer technology aggressively challenges the banknote counterfeiting threat and was jointly developed by both UCB and the Reserve Bank of Australia, which intends to retain its 50% shareholding in Securency International. Both joint venture partners recognise the global potential of this innovation and will continue to support the dynamic research and development program for this technology and encourage growth through new investments such as the establishment of a European substrate plant as part of the commitment to a European license.

UCB’s Films business employs 1,600 people and has five manufacturing facilities around the world. In the year to December 2003, UCB’s Films business generated total sales of €362 million.

Candover is backing an experienced management team, headed by Dennis Matthewman, who will chair the new company. Previously, Dennis was a director of Hays Plc, a Candover-backed buyout in 1987. Commenting on the transaction, Julian Delano, a Director of Candover, said: “UCB’s Films business is well-positioned in growing markets and has benefited from a long history of world class research and development. We are delighted to be supporting the management in their plans to accelerate the progression of the business and we are confident that the Company will go from strength to strength.”
Dennis Matthewman, who will chair the new company, said: “I am particularly excited at the prospect of working with such exceptional management and employees, and to be able to continue to develop this world class business which has been successfully built up by UCB over many years. Additionally, we are delighted to be working with backers whose interests are aligned with the management’s.

Candover has an excellent reputation for backing experienced management teams and helping them to take full advantage of the growth prospects on offer. We very much look forward to working closely alongside them.“
Ends.

*Candover means Candover Investments plc and/or Candover Partners Limited as General Partner of the Candover 2001 Fund.

MAS Issues $10 Polymer Portrait Notes.
Singapore, 30 Apr 2004...The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced that it will introduce $10 polymer portrait notes into circulation on 4 May 2004. To preserve public familiarity and minimise modifications to note handling machines, the design of the new polymer notes is similar to the current $10 paper portrait notes except for a few changes to incorporate security features unique to polymer technology. MAS will continue to issue the current $10 paper notes as part of a phased introduction of the new $10 polymer notes.

The $10 denomination was selected as it is commonly used in cash payments. It is also widely dispensed through ATMs and accepted at Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs).