UAE central bank issues new Dhs500 polymer ‘eco-friendly’ banknote

Image: WAM/ CBUAE

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued a new Dhs500 note made of polymer. The launch – November 30 – coincides with the country’s 52nd Union Day and COP28.

This is the third issuance of the national currency project.

Read: UAE’s new Dhs1,000 banknote issued, highlights space ambitions, energy diversification

The new Dhs500 note highlights the UAE’s cultural and tourism landmarks and ‘models’ of sustainability.

The front side includes an image of the Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai.

The reverse side highlights the Museum of the Future in Dubai, Emirates Towers, and the Burj Khalifa on the right side. The Burj Khalifa derives most of its power from solar energy.

Special highlights of the new banknote

The CBUAE has used polymer material for the note, making it two or more times more durable than traditional banknotes. This material, fully recyclable, significantly lessening its environmental impact.

The aesthetic features of the note incorporate a range of harmonious blue shades, mirroring the banknote of the same denomination currently in circulation, facilitating easy identification for the public.

Fluorescent blue markings on the reverse side mark the UAE nation brand, enhanced by intricate drawings and engravings using advanced intaglio printing techniques.

The Dhs500 note features multi-coloured security chip technology known as ‘KINEGRAM COLORS’, making the UAE the first country in the Middle East to utilise the largest foil strip of this kind on its currency notes.

To combat counterfeiting, these technologies were previously employed in the new version of the Dhs1,000 note, a first in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions.

CBUAE has included prominent symbols in braille to help blind and visually impaired consumers in recognising the note and determining its value.