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Chander S Jeena

12 July 2026

2 min read

Malaysia’s New Passport Debuts 94 Security Features

Following the roll-out of its national ID card (MyKad) in June, Malaysia has now unveiled a new generation of its passport. Both documents now have double the security features of their earlier versions: whilst the new MyKad includes 53 security elements, up from 23, the new passport includes 94 security features, up from 49 in the current version. Both documents include OVDs.

Free ID & Secure Documents Free

Chander S Jeena

12 July 2026

3 min read

Printing Structural Colour Like a Newspaper

Structural colour has been extensively covered in Holography & Optical Technology News™, and in other technical publications concerned with nano-optics and optical security. The principle is well established. Namely, colour is generated not by dyes or pigments, but by structures whose dimensions are comparable with, or smaller than, visible wavelengths of light. The latest work described in this article is of interest not only because it demonstrates a new approach to generating structural colour but also because it addresses the difficult transition from finely controlled laboratory structures to continuous, economical production.

Optical Security

Chander S Jeena

12 July 2026

3 min read

Pokémon Marks 30 Years With First All-Foil Expansion

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, The Pokémon Company has announced ‘30th Celebration’, a special anniversary expansion launching worldwide on 16 September 2026. For the first time in the franchise's history, every card in the set will feature a foil finish.

Security Foils

Chander S Jeena

1 July 2026

2 min read

Hazen Paper Wins Honours at Gold Leaf Awards

Hazen Paper received four honours at the 33rd Annual Gold Leaf Awards in Nashville, held from 17-19 June 2026. They included three golds for best use of embellished poster, best use of holographics (self-promotion) and best use of transfer metallised substrate. The awards were organised by the Foil and Specialty Effects Association (FSEA).

Awards Companies

Chander S Jeena

1 July 2026

2 min read

IMWA Launches Certification Hologram

The Indian Malt Whisky Association (IMWA) has introduced a certification hologram programme designed to authenticate Indian single malt whisky and verify compliance with the association’s production standards. Indri, the whisky brand owned by Piccadily Agro Industries, is the first brand to announce adoption of the certification hologram on its bottles.

Holographic Optical Element (HOE)

Chander S Jeena

1 July 2026

3 min read

The Consolidation Continues

Dealmaking accelerated during 2024 and 2025, with events in 2026 confirming that consolidation remains a defining industry trend. From manufacturing and product authentication to digital identity and banknote printing, companies are reshaping their portfolios through strategic acquisitions.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

3S Strengthens Global Presence with Transition to 3S Group

3S, a German security printing specialist, has announced a strategic rebranding, adopting the name 3S Group to better reflect its growing international structure and long-term development plans.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

4 min read

Logan’s Historic Photopolymer Era Comes to a Close

The physical landscape of the holography and authentication industry is changing once again. With the closure of its photopolymer manufacturing facility in Logan, Utah, Crane Authentication, part of Crane NXT, has transitioned the facility as part of a broader portfolio evolution while advancing its next-generation physical and digital authentication solutions.

Free Strategy Free

Aftab Baloch

24 June 2026

2 min read

From E-Passports to Holographic Concerts: Pakistan’s Emerging Optical Landscape

In Pakistan, holography and optical security technologies are evolving. While secure identity programmes remain a key application, the growing use of these technologies in brand protection, digital communication and immersive experiences highlights their expanding influence across the country’s public and commercial sectors.

ID & Secure Documents

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Scientists Create Octopus-Inspired Material

Scientists at Stanford University have developed a shape-shifting material that can dynamically change both colour and surface texture, mimicking the camouflage abilities of cephalopods such as octopuses and cuttlefish. Published in Nature, this breakthrough could enable advanced optical security, adaptive displays, soft robotics, and next-generation anti-counterfeiting technologies.

Technical Features

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Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

UCLA Breakthrough in 3D Imaging: 28 Layers, One Shot

Researchers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering have developed a novel light-programmed system capable of projecting high-resolution three-dimensional images across 28 depth layers simultaneously, marking a significant advance in holographic display technology. Published in Light: Science & Applications, the research introduces a hybrid digital-optical architecture that combines deep learning with diffractive optics to generate volumetric images in a single exposure.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

6 min read

Award-Winning Innovation: The Best of HSP Latin America 2026

From advanced optical security and sustainable banknotes to phygital identity ecosystems, the 2026 HSP Latin America Awards showcased the technologies shaping the future of currency and identity. The most recent iteration of the Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards, presented during the High Security Printing (HSP) Latin America conference in Guatemala City on 2 June, recognised outstanding achievements across currency and identity.

Awards

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

SDS 2026: Bringing Together the Global Security and Identity Community in Beijing

When I attended the Security Document Summit (SDS) this year, the first thought that came to mind was how it was different from last year. This year’s event was held 27-28 May at the China National Convention Centre (CNCC).

Events

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

Industry Performance Review 2025: SecurityTech Leaders Report Resilient Growth

In 2025, the global security technology, authentication, and secure printing sectors continued to evolve despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. The industry players reported growth, highlighting the convergence of traditional security printing with digital security infrastructure and intelligent authentication technologies.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Malaysia Reaffirms Confidence in Hologram-Based Medicine Authentication

Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) recently moved to rebut claims that its hologram label verification system, known as FarmaTag™ for health products had become ineffective.

Authentication Strategy

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Light as the Key: KAIST Creates New Hologram Technology for Future Security

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have created a new hologram technology that uses light’s own properties as an encryption key, posing a far greater challenge for those looking to counterfeit security features.

Free Technical Features Free

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

1 min read

IOTA Launches Start-Up Membership Programme to Foster Innovation

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) has introduced a new Start-Up Membership Programme to encourage innovation and strengthen collaboration across the optical security and authentication sector.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

1 min read

Global Label Market Continues to Expand

The global label market reached c. 76 billion square metres in 2025, a 2.8% increase from the previous year, according to the AWA’s Labelling and Product Decoration Market Report 2026.

Studies, Reports

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Covestro and EMPTECH Forge Strategic Alliance for High-Security Identity Documents

In a major move to address surging global demand for secure identification, material giant Covestro and secure ID system integrator EMPTECH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The strategic partnership aims to co-develop next-generation, high-security identity document solutions by integrating advanced personalisation equipment with cutting-edge polymer materials.

Collaborations

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Holoflex Plans New Manufacturing Unit, Targets £10 Million Revenue

Holoflex Limited, a leading provider of holograms, tax stamps, and labelling solutions in India, plans to invest around c. £2.6 million (₹30 crore) over the next two years to establish a second manufacturing facility, as demand for integrated physical and digital brand protection solutions continues to grow.

Strategy

Latest News

Malaysia’s New Passport Debuts 94 Security Features

Printing Structural Colour Like a Newspaper

Pokémon Marks 30 Years With First All-Foil Expansion

Hazen Paper Wins Honours at Gold Leaf Awards

IMWA Launches Certification Hologram

The Consolidation Continues

3S Strengthens Global Presence with Transition to 3S Group

Logan’s Historic Photopolymer Era Comes to a Close

From E-Passports to Holographic Concerts: Pakistan’s Emerging Optical Landscape

Scientists Create Octopus-Inspired Material

UCLA Breakthrough in 3D Imaging: 28 Layers, One Shot

Award-Winning Innovation: The Best of HSP Latin America 2026

SDS 2026: Bringing Together the Global Security and Identity Community in Beijing

Industry Performance Review 2025: SecurityTech Leaders Report Resilient Growth

Malaysia Reaffirms Confidence in Hologram-Based Medicine Authentication

Light as the Key: KAIST Creates New Hologram Technology for Future Security

IOTA Launches Start-Up Membership Programme to Foster Innovation

Global Label Market Continues to Expand

Covestro and EMPTECH Forge Strategic Alliance for High-Security Identity Documents

Holoflex Plans New Manufacturing Unit, Targets £10 Million Revenue

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