Data: is it the missing link to creating a more sustainable future for cash?

by Mark Stevenson

Sustainability refers to the ability of something to remain at a certain level over a specific period of time. When it comes to cash we can narrow down the range of forces having a direct impact on its current and future sustainability: 1) The cost of cash in circulation and 2) the ecological footprint of cash in circulation. These two factors are already having a clear and present impact on banknote access, acceptance, user choice and the role of intermediaries such as commercial banks in maintaining cash infrastructures to ensure cash sustainability.

We are fortunate in the cash community to be faced with such a conundrum: how to reduce the cost and ecological impact of cash to support its future sustainability. In some industries reducing ecological impact inevitably results in an increase in costs. In the cash community, a correlation exists between the cost and ecological impact of cash, making it possible to significantly and simultaneously reduce both.

Today, most of us know why we must support evolution in how cash is managed in society and we even know where the sources of friction are and what we must do to remove them…but we do not necessarily know how to do it in a win-win manner.

The cash cycle of the future will be built upon data. Emerging technologies will enable cash cycle innovators and actors to bring about significant positive change by delegating much of the centralised cash management activity right down to the retail layer, keeping cash where it is needed most – moving between the public and retailer. While technology is making this possible, we cannot achieve the scope nor scale of change required without cross-cash-community engagement, exchange and collaboration. We are still working in silos and this is our single biggest challenge when it comes to cash sustainability.

My presentation will demonstrate the potential to use data to create a more sustainable future for cash and all actors involved in the cash cycle, by simply working together.

Mark Stevenson

Mark Stevenson has worked in the world of banknotes for over 30 years. His activity ranges from managing banknote printing plants in Asia and Europe to banknote technology development, business development and more recently, cash sustainability and innovation. He has worked for a host of banknote industry leaders including, De La Rue, Crane Currency & Koenig & Bauer.

In 2010, Mark founded the International Banknote Designers Association (IBDA) and has acted as President since then. He also co-founded the CUBE (Center for User Behaviour & Education) in 2018 to create industry access to techniques, know-how and technologies designed to improve the banknote User Experience.

Today Mark is Market Development Manager at K&BBNS with a mission to improve cash competitivity and sustainability. He believes that this work will involve industry engagement and buy-in from a wider scope of actors than ever before and success will depend heavily on the community working together, breaking down operational silos in order to frame a new vision for the future and then fill the gaps with new technologies.

Phil Holland

Phil Holland has worked in the printing industry for over 40 years.

A time served lithographic printer who studied origination, pre-press, letterpress, and sheet fed printing, Phil progressed to print management in the public sector and then made the transition to capital equipment and print machinery sales.

Formally Phil was General Sales Manager at Komori UK with responsibility for the sale of sheet-fed presses and ancillary equipment in the UK and certain distributors in countries such as Africa.

Phil joined Komori Currency Technology in early 2009 and is currently Sales Director with the responsibility of continuing to increase the market share of Komori in the Banknote and Security Printing industry.

Phil is also a board member of the International Currency Association (ICA) and is a strong advocate for cash and that it remains part of the payment landscape, now and in the future.

Innovative measures towards sustainable manufacturing

by Benoit Renault

We will present feedbacks on the innovative measures implemented in our printing factories to produce more sustainably and in line with the objectives of the Global Compact.
The presentation will focus on three main fields of energy, water and banknote recycling.

Benoit Renault

Having graduated with a master of science in environmental and industrial engineering from a French engineering school, EME, in partnership with the University of Coventry, Benoît RENAULT started his career as Health Safety and Environment manager on industrial plants.
His missions covered various areas such as chemistry for Elf Atochem 1998 – 2000, agrifood for Terrena 2000-2002 and lenses for Carl Zeiss Vision 2002-2008.
The goal was to impulse new dynamic integrated environmental, health and safety in the management system with the challenge to increase performance.
During his posting, he developed different solutions on each plant to optimize the quality, productivity and environmental impact of processes, drawing on ideas from different areas, to create efficient innovation.
One of these innovations developed for Carl Zeiss Vision won the Silmo d’Or Environment award receiving a special mention for its contribution to Sustainable Development in the Environment-Manufacturing Process category.
In 2008, Benoît joined Oberthur Fiduciaire as Quality Health Safety Environment Manager.
Over the course of his first 8 years, Benoit has successfully integrated ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 50001, ISO 37001 and customer requirements in a unique management system based on 7 axes , security, costumers, productivity, health and safety , environment and anti-bribery.
Since 2017 as QHSE and Engineering Director, also in charge of facilities and engineering, he has integrated a global sustainable approach, EARTH 365, throughout the organization bringing all staff members on board.
This has involved widening the spectrum, developing a sustainable management system based on ISO references with total transparency for customers in accordance with the values of Oberthur Fiduciaire.

Sustainable coin management

by Michael Groves

Sustainability is a strategic business issue that is increasingly tied to performance, and integrated into core business strategy and governance processes; it is about long-term value creation for the organization. In 2022, the Royal Canadian Mint developed an environmental, social and governance (ESG) Commitment that is bold and forward looking. It builds upon a strong foundation of ESG activities already in place and includes a dedicated focus to three ESG areas with clear goals, measurable outcomes and timelines: Responsible Sourcing and Manufacturing, Carbon Emissions and Climate Change and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The ESG Roadmap is supported by investments in people and technology. The paper also includes three case studies that demonstrate the Mint’s ESG commitment; implementation of energy efficiency improvements to reduce carbon emissions; coin management and alloy recovery; and community outreach through the charitable medal program.

Michael Groves

Michael is the Senior Program Advisor, Sustainability and International Mint Liaison at the Royal Canadian Mint. He leads the Mint’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment and supports the Mint’s role in the international minting community.
Prior to his current role, he led the team responsible for identifying and executing on both short-term strategic initiatives, business challenges and long-term strategies for the Mint. Other roles at the mint have included responsibility for the Ottawa Manufacturing facility as well as the R&D and technical services teams where he focused efforts on blending solid business practices, teamwork, safety-focused behaviours, and innovative manufacturing processes to develop and deliver customer-centric products. Before joining the Mint, Michael worked for more than 13 years in a variety of roles in the forest products industry including environmental affairs, engineering, quality service and operational excellence.
Michael is a graduate of the chemical engineering program at McGill University and the Master of Engineering program at the University of British Columbia. Michael is also an alumnus from the MBA program at the University of Ottawa. He is a recent cancer survivor.