SPARTAN™ banknotes begin with a proprietary film called Propanote™ Opacity W. It was developed by our sister company, Innovia Films, to optimise performance at the note/coin boundary. This base film is then combined with a streamlined production process to achieve extreme durability at lower cost.
Propanote™ Opacity W is a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film that is produced using a unique ‘bubble’ process. It’s one of only two bank-grade films in the world. The other is Propanote™ Clarity C, which is used to produce GUARDIAN™ substrate. Both proprietary films are reserved for exclusive use by CCL Secure.
Opacity W has been engineered to optimise functionality for low-value denominations with high transaction velocity. It differs from Clarity C in several ways, but the most noticeable is that the Opacity W is fully opaque. This drives durability and eliminates any possibility of opacification print wear.
It also means SPARTAN banknotes do not include windows.
To create the Opacity W film, a unique manufacturing process is followed. Polymer pellets are fed into a ‘bubble’ that is four storeys high. The polymer is melted and mechanically stretched to impart the ‘biaxial orientation’ that delivers distinctive balanced tensile properties which help ensure the film is optimised for banknote production and printing. It also provides enhanced resistance to impact and temperature.
Finally, the proprietary process used to create Opacity W film also leaves a unique security ‘fingerprint’ that can be forensically detected by central banks to rapidly identify any counterfeit notes.
Once the Opacity W film is delivered to CCL Secure, an innovative, inline production process is followed. To maximise efficiency and reduce the cost and technical burden imposed on issuing authorities, SPARTAN banknotes are produced in a single pass. The process includes:
- overt and covert security features
- multiple layers of pattern work
- inks and gravure printing techniques that create tactility to aid public acceptance.
All SPARTAN banknotes are also assigned a unique serial number that is tracked throughout the production process. Numbering can use different fonts and styles to ensure alignment with existing banknotes in circulation.
CCL Secure has also engineered a new range of inks to work with the Opacity W film. The SPARTAN inks bind to the polymer core to create extreme abrasion and crumple resistance, as well as delivering vibrant colour. Multiple protective layers are then applied, and contribute to the unique paper-like feel of SPARTAN notes.
The notes are sheeted, guillotined, packed and delivered with a full manifest by CCL Secure. They are compatible with existing banknote processing infrastructure, including machine readable features for vending machines and point of sale equipment, allowing a seamless transition to SPARTAN banknotes.