The world standard in processability

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) conducts surveys amongst manufacturers and users of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), note validators and note counters to elicit feedback on polymer note processability.

The Machine Processing Improvements graph summarises responses indicating polymer as more efficient or as efficient as paper.

The RBA's results published in the Annual Report and Financial Statements, speak for themselves:

There are now 38% less machine jams and 32% less service call-outs since the introduction of polymer notes.

Why machines prefer polymer to paper

The reasons are simple.

Polymer notes:

• are cleaner than paper and create less dust
• deposit less ink on the sensors, and
• retain their original shape and dimensions, all of which make them very machine-friendly.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can distribute both polymer banknotes and paper banknotes simultaneously. In Australia, ATMs now only dispense polymer notes. This is especially pertinent when you consider that Australia has one of the highest ratios in the world of ATMs per head of population and that ATMs are the primary means of distributing notes to the public.

A final word from the Reserve Bank of Australia

RBA's note processing machines now achieve higher through-put rates with polymer banknotes than were previously experienced with paper, leading the RBA to make this statement:

"Polymer notes have now replaced paper notes of every denomination in Australia. With over 18 billion transactions each year and with widespread use of machine processing of notes, Australia's experience is positive proof that polymer notes do work, and work well."

Every ATM in Australia successfully dispenses polymer banknotes.

Polymer banknotes are suitable for desktop counters.

CVCS machines achieve higher productivity rates with polymer banknotes.