Alstef automates Bank of France’s new banknote printing facility

The Banque de France, or Bank of France, has launched a large-scale project to build a new plant in Vic-Le-Comte, France, which already houses a paper mill, creating a global banknote production hub at the cutting edge of technological innovation.

The new, highly secure building will house both printing and logistics activities. Process automation was entrusted to Alstef Group, who will supply a logistics system including a high-bay warehouse served by four stacker cranes within an automated “greenhouse”.

Flow management will be handled by a fleet of automated guided vehicles and/or autonomous mobile robots comprising 10 of Alstef’s “Turtle” AGV-AMRs Loadstar machines equipped with roller conveyors, as well as 10 GL 10.1 AGVs.

The system will be managed by Opal, the WCS developed by Alstef Group, for control and visualization of all equipment and logistics operations within the site.

This ambitious project will enable the Bank of France to maintain its competitiveness and secure the future of its banknote business, while creating a site that is highly secure, modern, and environmentally friendly.

The foundation stones have been laid at the end of 2023, with commissioning scheduled for 2026.

Matthieu Crosnier, Alstef Group intralogistics sales director, says: “We are delighted to be working with the Banque de France once again.

“In 2017, we designed and implemented an innovative logistics system at the Banque de France’s Fiduciary Center in La Courneuve, a fully automated site where over 1 billion banknotes are checked and stored every year.

“Today, we’re supporting this key player in the international banknote market with the design of a tailor-made system based on a range of technological solutions offered by the Group.”