Ukraine’s new hryvnia banknotes will be made of flax, according to the country’s National Bank (NBU).
According to a press release issued by the NBU, the new banknotes will be made of flax fiber, which was the cheapest option, although other materials such as cotton, paddy straw and banana fiber were also considered.
Flax “has long been used to manufacture banknote paper for dollar bills in the U.S.,” said NBU deputy director Yakov Smoliy, who added flax hryvnia would “mark a new stage in the development of our national currency.”
The new material will also make the banknotes more resistant to damage and wear, claims the NBU.