Mahlo ensures security for banknotes

The quality of Pakistani rupee is checked by Mahlo systems

Banknoten Pakistan

Banknotes are probably among the most sensitive and valuable paper in circulation in the world. To ensure that all quality standards of the Pakistani rupee are met, the responsible paper manufacturer Security Papers limited (SPL) has relied on Mahlo quality control systems for more than ten years.

For paper to become money, the material must meet certain technical specifications. Only then do payment transactions work effectively and the notes are suitable for cash processing. Especially the durability of the banknotes plays an important role. If the quality of the banknotes in circulation is poor, this impairs their effectiveness as a means of payment. Damaged or worn banknotes slow down payment transactions and can make it difficult or impossible to use some security features. ATMs can jam due to damaged notes, cash centres have to replace unfit banknotes with new ones. All this causes effort and costs. Both can be avoided by using high-quality paper already during production.

SPL, which also produces paper for financial institutions, degree certificates for universities and other types of security paper, therefore decided back in 2011 to install a Mahlo Qualiscan QMS Paper Pro-II, a quality measurement system specialising in paper. The German machine builder's many years of experience with technologies for online process monitoring and control convinced the paper manufacturer. Sensors with different measuring technologies suitable for the task now record the basis weight, moisture, thickness and ash content of the banknote paper. These quality-relevant parameters are measured continuously in the processing area by traversing sensors. They form the basis for defining quality criteria, both for the entire web and for the length of the web, and provide a reference for automatic control. This is how Mahlo has been ensuring the quality of Pakistani banknotes for more than a decade.