Polymer banknotes were developed in Australia to replace paper banknotes with a more secure and more durable alternative.[6]
The BOPP substrate is processed through the following steps:
Opacifying – two layers of ink (usually white) are applied to each side of the note, except for one or more areas deliberately left clear;
Sheeting – the substrate is cut into sheets suitable for the printing press;
Printing – traditional offset, intaglio and letterpress printing processes are used; and
Overcoating – notes are coated with a protective varnish.
BOPP is a non-fibrous and non-porous polymer. Compared to paper banknotes, banknotes made using BOPP are harder to tear, more resistant to folding, more resistant to soil, waterproof (and washing machine proof), easier to machine process, and are shreddable and recyclable at the end of their lives