De La Rue selected for polymer banknote printing

The Bank of England has announced that it has selected De La Rue as its “preferred bidder” in the tender to print its plastic banknotes.

The Basingstoke-based company is expected to sign a contract in October that will see it print the notes for the Bank at its facility in Debden, Essex, for the next 10 years from April 2015.

Philip Rogerson, De La Rue Chairman commented; “We are delighted that De La Rue has been selected as the preferred bidder for this very prestigious and important contract with the Bank of England.”

The contract will mean that De La Rue will print the new polymer banknotes, which should enter circulation in 2016, starting with a £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill followed by a £10 note, featuring Jane Austen, a year later. 

The Bank announced in March 2014 that Cumbria-based Innovia Security is supplying the polymer substrate used for the printing of the notes.