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About the job

Enemy of the counterfeiters

Material scientist Christoph Kocher works in Graubünden because that is how it should be. Nevertheless, the man from Solothurn knows the world – and the world knows him, without realising it.

An encounter with Christoph Kocher is characterised by a calmness that only people who know exactly what they are doing can radiate. "It is very difficult to counterfeit a Swiss banknote," says the 47-year-old Head of Innovation at the security paper manufacturer Landqart. Because unlike those of the euro or dollar, the notes of the Swiss franc consist of a combination of paper and plastic. Very few people possess the knowledge and skills to develop banknotes of this type. One of them calls the printing substrate "the best of both worlds", is named Christoph Kocher and has the codename "Emmett Brown".

The GPS on Christoph Kocher's smartphone first leads to a Landquart mill over 700 years old, then to the milk box and to a map with the next clue. A few metres away, in a metal rod protecting the mill's wall, there is a key. With this, it goes back to the letterbox, whose lock can now be opened. Inside: the logbook of finds, including dates and names. Recently, the name "Emmett Brown" has also been added. Because no matter what longitude Christoph Kocher is currently at, geocaching accompanies him. Whether hiking in the idyllic Bündner mountains or at conferences in bustling Japan: he finds 20 minutes to let the GPS signal lead him to a hidden cache and into a new adventure.

"I have always been versatile and liked to tinker"

"I have always been versatile and liked to tinker," says Kocher. He tells anecdotes about soapbox cars, fireworks, brewing beer and his studies. It was also important to him that his studies covered diversity. His choice: materials science. His professional interest took Christoph Kocher from the canton of Solothurn to Zurich, from the ETH there soon for his doctorate to the USA, from the USA soon into practice in Graubünden, to Landqart, the only Swiss manufacturer of security paper. There Kocher now heads the Innovation department. "A banknote is also a work of art," he says, "just in very large editions." This means that developing it is not only about staying one step ahead of counterfeiters, but also about capturing the spirit of the times. "A banknote is always also a calling card of the country. It must not only be secure, but also attractive and represent the values of the country."

A banknote series is in circulation for ten to fifteen years before it is replaced. With each new series, the appearance of the banknotes changes and new security features are added. At the same time, physical money is used less in everyday life with advancing digitalisation: "In the future, banknotes and contactless payment methods will coexist," says Kocher. And he lives this reality himself: "I must admit, I don't always pay with cash either."

One of the hiding places that Christoph Kocher has chosen himself for geocaching is on one of the upper floors of a multi-storey car park. "GPS only works on the X and Y axes, but not vertically," he divides the world into his dimensions. He is repeatedly contacted by other players asking for clues. As "Emmett Brown" he always replies patiently. Christoph Kocher borrowed the codename from a character in the film "Back to the Future". More precisely: a self-proclaimed student of all sciences. "In your heart, you always remain a child," he says.

Working where you want to live

Nature and metropolis. Remote and in the middle of it all. Rustic and high-tech. Glacier and wine. Where there is tension, energy is stored: the interplay of different forces is what makes Graubünden unique. Here, you can not only live in harmony with nature, but also work on an international stage. Made by Mother Nature, refined by the people of Graubünden. We are the NatureMetropolis.