What’s in Your Wallet? Quite Possibly Aluminum

If you have any euros in your wallet, you’re very likely carrying some Alcoa aluminum in your pocket or purse.

Metal produced by Alcoa can be found in the hologram on banknotes issued by the European Central Bank, and it’s an important security feature to visually guard against fraud.

If you tilt a euro note, the silvery stripe on the right front face of the bill reveals a portrait of the mythological princess Europa as well as a copy of the note’s main image and its value.

It’s visually appealing, but where does the aluminum come from? And why is it used?

Wire rod manufactured at Alcoa’s Fjarðaál smelter goes through casting operations near Reyðarfjörður, Iceland; is transformed into aluminum wire at Manfisa in northern Spain; and then processed for printing the banknotes.

Shelley Ranii, Alcoa’s Director of Global Marketing, says the product is “yet another example of the many applications of Alcoa aluminum in our daily lives.”

The de-metallization process.

Aluminum is deposited on the hologram and then selectively removed to form a graphical pattern. Including metallized and transparent parts on the same film provides additional protection to the currency.

Complex holograms contain a variety of hidden information used for authentication and anti-tampering efforts -- as well as tracking and tracing banknotes. Using aluminum in the holographic elements also makes the bills more durable and resistant to wear and tear.

Aluminum from Alcoa has been used in Euro banknotes since they were first printed in 2002.

Jan Werner Hanson, Alcoa’s Casting OpEx Director, says the unique 1090 alloy is “well-suited to making the thin foil because of its purity, which helps avoid any pinholes in the production process.”

Alcoa’s 1090 alloy also is used in metallic yarns and capacitors.

The European Central Bank estimates there are now 29 billion euro notes in circulation, with a value of more than €1.5 trillion. For more on Alcoa’s casting products, visit our casting products page.