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40 years of reliability
Banco de Portugal and the CDS-500 Banknote Destruction System
About Banco de Portugal
Founded in 1846, Banco de Portugal is the central bank of Portugal and a trusted member of the European System of Central Banks. The bank issues euro banknotes and coins, ensures their authenticity and quality, and removes unfit currency from circulation. By maintaining the security and reliability of Portugal’s cash system, Banco de Portugal plays a vital role in supporting both the economy and public trust in cash.
Challenge
Banco de Portugal required a secure, robust, and future-proof solution for the destruction and disposal of unfit banknotes. The system needed to ensure the highest standards of security, operational reliability, and efficiency, while minimizing waste and supporting sustainable practices. Additionally, the bank sought to reduce complexity, control maintenance costs, and adapt to evolving regulatory and operational requirements.
Results
The CDS-500 banknote destruction system has delivered exceptional reliability and operational continuity for forty years at Banco de Portugal. With xx% system uptime and minimal operational downtime, the solution has significantly reduced maintenance costs and streamlined processes. The addition of the OBS-500 briquetting system has optimized shred handling, further easing staff workload, supporting security objectives, and strengthening the bank’s commitment to sustainable and cost-effective currency management.
Type of machine
CDS-500 (Currency Destruction System)
Years in operation
Annual volume for destruction (tons)
Guaranteed system uptime
Processing capacity hourly
The story about Banco de Portugal
Their challenge
In the mid-1980s, Banco de Portugal faced the challenge of securely and efficiently destroying unfit banknotes while ensuring full compliance with security and environmental standards. The bank needed a reliable long-term solution that could support evolving operational demands, minimize operational complexity, and deliver outstanding durability and cost-effectiveness. The goal was to implement a system capable of handling high volumes of banknotes securely, while also addressing waste reduction and supporting sustainable practices.
The solution
After evaluating the available solutions, Banco de Portugal selected the CDS-500 banknote destruction system from Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering, recognizing its outstanding reputation for reliability, security, and ease of integration. The decision was guided by the need for a system capable of withstanding decades of continuous operation while maintaining high performance. According to the Operations Team, "On our daily basis operation this machine is reliable and can perform in a predictable manner." The integration of the OBS-500 briquetting system further automated shred handling, reducing manual workload and enabling dust-free, secure disposal. The bank’s personnel highlighted, "The OBS-500 is a fully automatic system that reduces staff workload." This comprehensive approach provided Banco de Portugal with a robust, future-ready solution for secure currency destruction and waste management.
The results
Over forty years of continuous use, the CDS-500 system has delivered exceptional results for Banco de Portugal. The system has maintained 100% uptime, with minimal operational downtime and significant maintenance cost savings. Staff have noted, "We can rely on it to run offline destructions and maintain the confidence after 40 years." The introduction of the OBS-500 system has further enhanced operational efficiency, reduced staff involvement in routine tasks, and supported the bank's sustainability goals by minimizing waste volume and ensuring secure, dust-free processing. Key metrics include 40 years in operation, 100% system uptime, significant maintenance cost savings, and minimal operational downtime, underscoring the enduring value of the partnership between Banco de Portugal and Royal Dutch Kusters Engineering.
"40 years of equipment running says a lot about its robustness and quality."
Currency Department
