A hybrid paper-polymer banknote or composite substrate is a banknote made from a mixture of paper and polymer substance.
Hybrid banknotes are essentially a paper banknote with a polymer patch. A polymer patch/band is applied vertically over the entire height of paper banknote, thus creating a clear window. The height of the polymer window generally measures 74 mm (depending on the height of the banknote) ÃÂ 16 mm. Its thickness is 25 micrometres. Bulgaria was the first country to produce a hybrid paper polymer banknote, in a denomination of 20 Bulgarian leva in 2005.
Manufacturers of hybrid banknotes include Giesecke+Devrient's Hybrid and Varifeye, De La Rue's Optiks, Louisenthal's Hybrid, Landqart AG's DuraSafe and Banque de France's EverFit.
The countries and monetary unions which use hybrid banknotes include: