What KBA - NotaSys does

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SA (formerly KBA-NotaSys), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koenig & Bauer AG (Frankfurt-listed) and traces its lineage to Organisation Giori, founded in 1952. The company designs, manufactures, and services high-security printing systems for central banks and state print works globally; its machinery is reported to circulate the majority of the world's banknotes. Core product lines encompass capital printing equipment (Super Simultan IV simultaneous offset, NotaScreen rotary screen printing, OptiNota-H foil application, Super Orlof Intaglio), security design and pre-press software (ONE Suite as an Adobe Illustrator plugin, Asecuri), patented security features (SUSI Flip™, SUSI Optics™, SPARK Flow®, Sound of Intaglio®, CTiP), and consumer-facing digital applications (ValiCash™ authentication, Smill™ messaging). The business model combines one-time capital equipment sales with recurring revenue from software licenses, spare parts and consumables (via a 24/7 webshop), service contracts, technical support, training, and digital freemium apps. The company operates direct enterprise sales and service offices across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, China, India, the United States, Hong Kong, and Mexico. Following the 2016 launch of its 'Smart Solutions' approach, the company has broadened from equipment vendor to integrated solutions provider, including independent consultancy on cash-cycle optimisation and, more recently, financial-literacy partnerships with Aflatoun International and Doshi (both November 2025). Distribution channels include direct field sales to government buyers, an enterprise customer portal, a webshop, and Apple/Google app stores for consumer apps. The firm is regulated-adjacent by nature (founding member of the Banknote Ethics Initiative since 2013) and targets a tightly bounded customer set of approximately 180 central banks and their state printing works.

Name

KBA - NotaSys

Legal name

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions SA

Website

https://banknote-solutions.koenig-bauer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions (KBA-NotaSys) supplies high-security printing presses, design software, and security features to central banks and state print works worldwide, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koenig & Bauer AG.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Banknote Printing Equipment and Security Printing Solutions

NAICS

Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Printing & Business Forms (continuous forms, checks, tickets) (IMAMAHAH)

Keywords

• High-security banknote printing
• Currency production equipment
• Banknote design software
• Security printing presses
• Intaglio printing technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Printing Equipment Sales: Sale of high-security printing presses including Super Simultan, Super Orlof Intaglio, OptiNota-H, NotaScreen, numbering systems, and finishing equipment. One-time capital equipment purchases with long sales cycles to central banks and state printing works.
2. Software Licenses (ONE Suite, Asecuri): Licensing of proprietary security design software solutions for banknote design and pre-press workflows.
3. Spare Parts & Consumables: Original spare parts, consumables, and accessories for printing equipment. Ongoing revenue stream through webshop and service contracts.
4. Service Contracts & Technical Support: Preventive maintenance, tech support, service contracts, upgrades, retrofits, and overhauls for printing equipment. Recurring revenue through annual contracts.
5. Training & Consulting: Knowledge transfer solutions, process audits, production support, and customized trainings at any process stage.
6. Digital Solutions: ValiCash™ authentication app and Smill™ messaging platform for cash innovation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions designs, manufactures, and services high-security printing equipment, proprietary design software, and security features used by central banks and state printing works to produce banknotes. Its offering covers the full workflow — from digital banknote design and pre-press, through offset, screen, intaglio, and foil application printing presses, to quality control systems, spare parts, technical support, and training services.

Product overview

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions offers a complete high-security printing solutions portfolio spanning design, pre-press, production, quality control, and digital services. The core platform includes ONE Suite security design software (Adobe Illustrator plugin) and Asecuri pre-press automation, supported by production equipment including Super Simultan IV offset presses, NotaScreen rotary screen printing, OptiNota H foil application, and Super Orlof Intaglio (SOI evo) presses. Security features include SUSI Flip™, SUSI Optics™, SPARK Flow®, 360 Rainbow™, and Sound of Intaglio® authentication technology. Digital applications ValiCash™ (banknote authentication) and Smill™ (digital messaging via banknotes) extend physical cash into digital ecosystems via Cash Utility Technology and Banknote Programmability Technology. Quality is ensured through AFX-II inspection platforms and Data Management Solutions. The company provides comprehensive services including spare parts, tech support, preventive maintenance, upgrades, overhauls, training, and independent consultancy. Founded 1952 as Organisation Giori, became KBA-NotaSys in 2011, and rebranded to Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions in 2020.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ValiCash: Mobile application for quick authentication of banknotes - able to authenticate a banknote and show whether it is counterfeit or genuine in less than a second using structural analysis of Intaglio print (Sound of Intaglio®)
• Smill
• Cash Innovation

Products and services

• ONE Suite Fully integrated security design software solution for banknote design. Functions as an Adobe Illustrator plugin providing tools for creating artwork, applying microtext, complex security background features including see-through registers, vignettes, and geometric patterns, with multiple layers for easy modification.
• Super Simultan IV Latest generation simultaneous offset printing press for high-security banknote printing. The Simultan Offset process is the fundamental technology used in all banknotes in circulation, incorporating design elements and security features for machine readability.
• NotaScreen Rotary screen printing process dedicated to the banknote industry. Offers a wide range of machine-readable, durable security features using inks of various physical and chemical properties for innovative security applications.
• OptiNota H Foil application press dedicated to the banknote industry. Creates striking effects of movement, depth, and image or colour shifts through innovative technologies engineered with nanometric precision.
• Super Orlof Intaglio III / SOI evo Intaglio printing press considered the cornerstone of banknote security. High pressure allows ink transfer into deep engravings, ensuring high embossing level for tactile marks that help blind and visually impaired users.
• ValiCash™ Mobile application for quick authentication of banknotes. Authenticates banknotes in less than a second using structural analysis of Intaglio print (Sound of Intaglio®) and optical characteristics of high-security printing. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Smill™ Mobile application enabling users to share digital messages on banknotes. Users can write messages enhanced with pictures, videos or voice messages on physical banknotes, with public Smill (message travels with banknote) or private Smill options.
• SUSI Flip™ Most advanced UV feature on the market. A monochromatic image in daylight flips into a totally different, three-coloured image under UV light. Achieved using only two plates and ultra-precise register of Simultan printing technology.
• SUSI Optics™ Latest micro-optic feature currently only available on polymer substrates. Allows multi-directional and multi-coloured effects, created using the high precision of Simultan Offset press, the flexibility of NotaScreen, and the registration capabilities of OptiNota H.
• SPARK Flow® Optical security feature family including SPARK Flow® PRIME with innovative pigment-orientation process for sharper glow and vibrant colours, and SPARK Flow® DIMENSION with augmented 3D visual impact.
• 360 Rainbow™ Security feature taking advantage of high register of Simultan printing process allowing rainbow (iris) printing and control in all directions.
• Sound of Intaglio® Patented technology for banknote authentication at point of sale. Previously exclusive for forensic intelligence and examinations, now available for authentication using structural analysis of Intaglio print.
• AFX-II Inspection Platform Quality inspection system for banknote production. Over 300 systems sold worldwide in the last 25 years, covering 7 banknote production processes, supported by a team of 50 experienced specialists for performance assessment and machine health checks.
• Data Management Solutions Digital networking solutions for installed presses providing data integration support, process and production audits. Data includes job parameters, temperatures, forces, pressures, contact distances and flow rates.
• Asecuri Pre-press software covering all processes from imposition and proofing to rendering. Automates the entire pre-press workflow and is fully integrated with ONE Suite security design solutions.
• Cash Utility Technology Bridging technology providing real-time data on banknote location and movement, enabling cash cycle stakeholders to improve cash efficiency and reduce the ecological impact of cash in circulation.
• Banknote Programmability Technology Technology focused on leveraging the connection between physical banknote products and digital ecosystems for new use cases such as online payments and remittances without compromising user anonymity.
• Independent Consultancy Services Cash cycle optimisation, project management services for new banknote series introduction, customised trainings, and fully equipped laboratory for security design analysis and counterfeiting assessment.
• Protecta Varnishing Unit Varnishing unit for banknote finishing and durability enhancement, recognised with the IACA Best New Currency Innovation award in 2014.
• PlateCoat Environmentally friendly plate chroming unit for intaglio platemaking, recognised as runner-up for the IACA Best Currency Innovation award in 2014.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 300 quality control systems sold worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature14 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DoshicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Partnership to build world's first integrated financial literacy ecosystem combining Doshi's gamified digital learning ecosystem with Koenig & Bauer's global experience in cash and value systems. Develops AI-supported modular framework capturing learning progress and behavioral indicators to monitor educational outcomes at individual and national levels.
• Aflatoun InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Launch of 'MoneyBox' initiative - a tangible, cash-based learning system for financial education of children and young people worldwide. Educational banknotes serve as central learning element with a 'MoneyBox' having four compartments for earnings, spending, saving, and borrows. Pilot phase benefited over 20,000 learners in 18 countries including Rwanda, Mexico, and Nepal.
• Banknote Ethics Initiative (BnEI)coreOthers · 1 January 2013Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions is a founding member of BnEI since 2013 alongside other major banknote industry players. BnEI provides ethical business practice standards with focus on prevention of corruption and compliance with anti-trust law within the banknote industry. Members must pass external audits every three years.
• Cash MattersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPro-cash movement that channels voices supporting the existence and relevance of cash as an integral part of the payment landscape. Supports and initiates campaigns on a global level to advocate for cash accessibility and awareness.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• De La Rue: UK-based global leader in banknote printing, security papers, and identity solutions. Historically KBA's joint venture partner (De La Rue Giori, 1965-2001) and now the most direct competitor in end-to-end banknote production including substrates, printing, and security features.
• Giesecke+Devrient: German family-owned provider of banknote substrates, security printing, and currency lifecycle management. Direct competitor to KBA in security printing equipment and complete cash cycle solutions for central banks.
• Crane Currency: US-based manufacturer of currency paper and banknote security features (including micro-optics). Competitor in substrate supply and security feature development for central bank customers.
• SICPA: Swiss-based world leader in security inks and authentication solutions for banknotes. KBA's technology partner for AKOYA®, SICPATALK®, and NEOMAG® inks; also a competitor in upstream security-feature innovation for central banks.

Emerging players

• CCL Secure: Australia-based manufacturer of Guardian™ polymer substrates for banknotes. Competes with paper-based substrates in the currency substrate market and represents the polymer-substrate paradigm shift that could affect intaglio-centric production models.
• Authentic Vision: Austrian-based provider of authentication solutions including mobile-based product authentication. Emerging player in the digital authentication space that competes conceptually with KBA's ValiCash™ mobile authentication app for cash and brand protection.

Broad incumbents

• Komori Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of printing presses with security printing capabilities. Competes broadly in the high-security printing equipment category though less specialized in banknotes than KBA's dedicated solutions.
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen: German press manufacturer with security printing product lines. Competes in adjacent industrial printing categories and has historical relationships with currency printers, but is more diversified across commercial and packaging printing.
• IDEMIA (Oberthur Fiduciaire): French-based secure transactions provider covering banknote printing, smart cards, and identity documents. Overlaps with KBA in central bank production and security feature development.
• Veridos: German joint venture between Giesecke+Devrient and Bundesdruckerei producing secure identification and payment documents including banknote-related security features. Adjacent competitor in the broader secure-document ecosystem serving governments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/KoenigundBauerAG
• Facebookfacebook.com/koenigandbauer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kba-notasys-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/koenigandbauer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KBA - NotaSys