Munich/Muscat, September 30, 2024 – Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) has introduced an innovative new security thread for banknotes at the Global Currency Forum in Oman. RollingStar Venus is the first thread to utilize nanotechnology combined with micro-mirrors, enabling two brand-new effects for secure authentication. These effects elevate both the visual appeal and security of banknotes to a new level.
Central banks bear the responsibility of ensuring that their issued banknotes can be verified easily, quickly, and securely for authenticity in everyday use. Optical features with changing and dynamic effects, vibrant colors, and clear recognizability of security elements are critical in achieving this goal.
With the introduction of RollingStar Venus, Louisenthal, a subsidiary of G+D, is expanding its extensive portfolio of security threads with a truly groundbreaking product. The new thread incorporates advanced micromirror technology with additional nanostructures that enable a highly dynamic synchronization of color change and movement. This unique combination results in two entirely new effect classes: “ColorFlip” and “Color MotifFlip.”
New effects ensure superior anti-counterfeiting security
When viewed head-on, the RollingStar Venus thread exhibits a secure, highly precise, and visually striking two-tone appearance. Upon tilting the banknote, the dynamic ColorFlip effect is activated: specific sections of the thread appear to move, and they change color. This effect is achieved through meticulously controlled dynamics and color variations at the micro-scale. The Color MotifFlip effect adds an additional layer of security by displaying a dynamic switch between two distinct colored motifs, enhancing recognizability and significantly boosting anti-counterfeiting protection.
G+D showcases these new effects through two sample banknotes presented at the Global Currency Forum. The first note features a hummingbird in flight, where a floral motif dynamically shifts between complementary green and red hues when the note is tilted (ColorFlip). The second note depicts a pianist engrossed in her performance, with the thread’s motif alternating between the number “100” and a musical note (Color MotifFlip). The orange motifs shift against a purple background, creating a display-like visual impression.
The thread’s millions of micromirrors, combined with nanostructures applied to their surfaces, reflect most of the incoming light. Together with a highly reflective metallic surface, they ensure optimal visibility even in low-light conditions. This blend of nano-effects and cutting-edge mirror technology makes RollingStar Venus a standout feature that captures the viewer’s attention and makes banknote authentication easier than ever before.
“Our new RollingStar Venus security thread is a significant technological innovation with which we are taking banknote security to a new level,” says Clemens Berger, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors at Louisenthal. “Nanotechnology enables dynamic and captivating effects in banknote design. With the Venus thread, we are leveraging these effects to ensure the long-term appeal and security of banknotes.”
Patch featuring ColorShift technology
In addition to the RollingStar Venus thread, G+D also showcases the RollingStar Patch with ColorShift technology at the Global Currency Forum. This security feature provides intuitive authentication through its dynamic visual effects and has already been implemented in the new 5,000 Tenge banknote issued by the National Bank of Kazakhstan in December 2023.
Both innovations are part of Louisenthal’s established “Security+” strategy. With its product offerings for central banks, the company delivers not only superior security features but also added value in terms of technology, innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.
Video: New effects “ColorFlip” and “Color MotifFlip” on the RollingStar Venus security thread
G+D RollingStar Venus on the sample note “Kolibri” (Source: G+D)
G+D RollingStar Venus on the sample note “Piano” (Source: G+D)
About Giesecke+Devrient
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) is a global SecurityTech company headquartered in Munich, Germany. G+D makes the lives of billions of people more secure. The company shapes trust in the digital age, with built-in security technology in three segments: Digital Security, Financial Platforms and Currency Technology.
G+D was founded in 1852 and today has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. In the fiscal year 2023, the company generated a turnover of 3 billion euros. G+D is represented by 123 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 40 countries. Further information: www.gi-de.com.
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