Bundesdruckerei

Bundesdruckerei
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Name	Bundesdruckerei
Type	Aktiengesellschaft
Industry	Security printing
Founded	0 1879
Founder	German Empire
Hq location	Berlin
Key people	Ulrich Hamann
Products	Passports, identity cards, banknotes, postage stamps, electronic passports, smart cards
Owner	Federal Republic of Germany

Bundesdruckerei. It is a German state-owned company specializing in high-security printing and a leading global provider of secure identity documents and solutions. Headquartered in Berlin, the company produces official documents such as passports, national identity cards, and vehicle registration documents for the German government. With a history dating to the 19th century, it has evolved into a technology group offering a wide range of secure physical and digital products, playing a crucial role in national and international security infrastructures.

History

The company's origins trace back to the "Reichsdruckerei," founded in 1879 in Berlin under the German Empire to centralize the production of state documents. Following World War I and the establishment of the Weimar Republic, it continued operations, later being utilized by the Third Reich for state printing. After the devastation of World War II and the division of Germany, the company was re-established in West Berlin in 1951 as Bundesdruckerei, serving the Federal Republic of Germany. Following German reunification in 1990, it absorbed parts of the former East German state printing works, "VEB Deutsche Wertpapierdruckerei." The company was transformed into a public-law enterprise in 1994 and later privatized, though it remains fully owned by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Products and Services

Bundesdruckerei's core business involves the production of secure physical and electronic identity documents. This includes the German electronic passport (ePass), the national identity card with online identification function, and driving licences. The company also manufactures high-security banknotes for various national central banks and produces postage stamps for Deutsche Post. Beyond documents, its portfolio extends to sophisticated smart card solutions, public key infrastructure services, and complex IT security systems for governments and corporate clients. These services are essential for secure e-government applications and digital authentication processes.

Security Features

The documents produced incorporate a multi-layered array of cutting-edge security features to prevent forgery and counterfeiting. These include sophisticated holograms, intricate guilloché patterns, and specialized security inks that react to specific light sources. Advanced polycarbonate technology is used for data pages, embedding personal information and photographs via laser engraving for exceptional durability. Electronic documents feature secure integrated circuits and radio-frequency identification chips that comply with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. These chips are protected by Extended Access Control and Public Key Infrastructure mechanisms to safeguard biometric data during electronic verification.

Corporate Structure

As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the company operates as an Aktiengesellschaft under private law. The executive board, led by CEO Ulrich Hamann, manages operations across several specialized business units focusing on identity solutions, currency printing, and security technology. Key subsidiaries include DACT GmbH, which focuses on testing and certification, and mID GmbH, a joint venture with the Federal Office for Information Security managing the official government identity app. This structure allows the group to operate with commercial agility while fulfilling its public mandate.

International Operations

While deeply rooted in serving German authorities, Bundesdruckerei actively operates in the global market for secure identity solutions. The company exports its expertise and technologies worldwide, advising foreign governments on establishing modern identity management systems and supplying equipment for secure document personalization. It collaborates with international organizations like the European Union and the United Nations on standardization projects. Through partnerships and its subsidiary network, it implements projects across Europe, Africa, and Asia, contributing to the global fight against identity fraud and illegal migration by enhancing border security and civil registries.

Category:Companies based in Berlin Category:Security printing companies Category:Government-owned companies of Germany