Innovia Films (Wigton / UK; www.innoviafilms.com) has opened a production line for its "Bubble 8, Clarity" C film at its UK Wigton site. The new line is part of an overall investment programme of over GBP 40m (EUR 57m), which includes the construction of a security opacification plant on land adjacent to Innovia Films BOPP facility. This will enable "Guardian" substrate to be produced at the same location as the manufacture of "Clarity" C, the base plastic film used to make Guardian.

The Clarity C line has increased security controls to ensure that only those with official clearance have access to the restricted areas. The output will be used to produce some UK bank notes, which will be introduced in 2016.

Victoria Cleland, chief cashier of the Bank of England (www.bankofengland.co.uk) officially opened the facility, saying: "It is exciting today to visit the site where the polymer for our new GBP 5 and GBP 10 banknotes will be produced. The opening of the new Bubble is a key milestone in delivering our evolutionary polymer banknotes and ensuring that our banknotes remain fit for purpose and provide strong counterfeit resilience."