VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (News release) -- Fortress Paper Ltd. has announced that the Central Bank of the Bahamas has chosen to use Durasafe, the proprietary banknote substrate of Fortress Paper's wholly-owned subsidiary, Landqart AG, for the two highest denomination banknotes of its "Crisp Evolution" series. The company expects that Landqart will commence shipments in 2018.

Axel Wappler, Chief Executive Officer of Landqart, commented: "The choice of Durasafe® by the Central Bank of the Bahamas for its high denomination banknotes reflects the desire of this Central Bank to be at the forefront of currency technology and design, and underscores the superior capabilities of the Durasafe® substrate. We are delighted to have secured another customer for Durasafe® as we continue to expand our market share. With the announcement in March of Durasafe® shipments for a new customer in 2017, the Swiss 20 Franc note entering circulation in May, and the Swiss 50 Franc note winning two prestigious, international awards, we are building good momentum for this product."

Durasafe® is an innovative composite paper-polymer-paper banknote substrate developed by Landqart in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich. Durasafe® is composed of two cotton paper outer layers with a fully transparent polymer core. The polymer core in Durasafe® adds stability and higher mechanical strength properties to banknotes as well as high security features. The substrate's unique properties allow windows to be formed virtually anywhere on the banknote and can contain a watermark and security fibres as well as traditional security features, including easy-to-recognise banknote paper tactility.