14 December 2016

DE LA RUE SAYS MINUTE TRACES OF ANIMAL PRODUCTS IN POLYMER

The tallow issue that has plagued the Bank of England's new five pound note has also caused De La Rue to examine its polymer formulation

De La Rue launched its Safeguard polymer substrate in 2012. It had initially seemed that Safeguard was free from animal products, and therefore ‘vegan’.

De La Rue has now revisited the issue in response to the outcry from vegans, vegetarians, and certain religious groups that followed the revelation that the Bank of England’s polymer £5 (printed on a polymer substrate from Innovia Films) contained miniscule amounts of tallow.

A De La Rue spokesman told PrintWeek: “Our initial analysis of our supply chain suggested that our polymer substrate did not contain any traces of tallow, and we advised specific customers on this basis.

“However, recognising the concern expressed by the public in recent days, we have undertaken a detailed and thorough review of our polymer supply chain.  This review has identified the potential for minute traces of animal derivative, equivalent to a maximum of 0.003% per banknote. We are now working with our suppliers to identify ways of addressing this.”