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Filtered by Free — 62 articles

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.

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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.

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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.

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Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

3 min read

Editorial: The Optical Security Innovation Race

Over the last one to two years, the currency industry has witnessed a noticeable increase in the launch of security features, particularly in optical security. Technologies that once evolved gradually over long document redesign cycles are now being refreshed at a much faster pace. This raises an important question: has a new race in optical innovation begun?

Editorial Free Free

Chander S Jeena

15 April 2026

4 min read

China’s Commemorative Series: A Platform for Innovation

‘China thinks in centuries, not in years’ – Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State & author of book ‘ON CHINA’.

Banknotes Free Free

Violet Nguyen

15 April 2026

3 min read

Wires That Don’t Catch Fire: Vietnam Fights Fake Cables

Vietnam’s cable industry is experiencing rapid growth, with increased infrastructure investment and expanding manufacturing capacity. Meanwhile, counterfeit risk has shifted from isolated incidents to a systemic supply chain challenge.

Brand Protection Free Free

Chander S Jeena

17 March 2026

3 min read

Next-Gen Banknotes and Optical Innovation at the HSP EMEA Awards

The High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA Awards continue to be the region’s premier platform recognising excellence in banknote and ID design and innovation. This year’s awards took place on 10 February in Rabat, Morocco. In our last edition, we covered the ID awards; now we focus on the best innovation in banknotes.

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Chander S Jeena

17 March 2026

3 min read

Covestro Navigates Headwinds with Strategic Shifts and Industrial Expansion

Covestro, a German materials science company, has concluded a challenging 2025 fiscal year, despite a persistently testing market environment. Volatile geopolitical dynamics, sustained weak global demand, and intense competitive pressure, coupled with the impact of the fire at the Dormagen Chempark, weighed heavily on the group’s economic development.

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Chander S Jeena

24 Feb. 2026

5 min read

Next-Gen IDs and Optical Innovation at the HSP EMEA Awards

The High Security Printing (HSP) EMEA Awards continue to serve as the region’s leading platform for recognising excellence in design and innovation for banknotes and IDs. This year’s HSP EMEA awards were held on 10 February in Rabat, Morocco (see also page 8). In this edition, we are covering the ID awards, followed by the best innovation in banknotes in the next edition.

Awards Free Free

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

3 min read

Calendar and Foils: Turning Time into a Story

With advances in holographic and foil technology, calendars are now more than just practical tools. They have become collectible items that tell a story and mark special moments. Many people still enjoy using wall or desk calendars, whether it’s flipping through the pages, marking birthdays, or writing reminders. These simple rituals offer something that digital apps can’t quite match.

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Chander S Jeena

16 Dec. 2025

6 min read

2025: The Year Optical Security Reached New Heights

As we conclude 2025, we reflect on a year that transformed the OVDs sector. Our pages highlighted breakthroughs, bold ideas, and the expanding critical role of OVDs across various sectors. The industry advanced rapidly, and your engagement helped us follow this development with clarity and purpose.

Editorial Free Free

Chander S Jeena

20 Nov. 2025

5 min read

From Posters to Premium Packs: The Best in Decorative & Packaging at the IOTA Awards

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) announced the winners of its inaugural Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards 2025 during a special ceremony held at the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) Conference in Warsaw, Poland (see HOTN September 2025).

Awards Free Free

Chander S Jeena

23 Oct. 2025

3 min read

From Deep Roots to New Heights – The Tree of Life by Kurz

KURZ Banknote Security’s production site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg in Germany celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (see HOT News August 2025), in honour of which the company has produced a series of celebration ‘Tree of Life’ notes themed around the beauty and strength of nature and the passage of time.

Banknotes Free Free

Chander S Jeena

23 Oct. 2025

2 min read

Invima Detects Counterfeit MABTHERA® with the Help of Holograms

Colombia’s Health Regulatory Body Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos – INVIMA has issued a health alert after uncovering a counterfeit batch of oncological drug MABTHERA® (500 mg/50 mL) circulating in the market.

Brand Protection Free Free

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

5 min read

IOTA Honours Legacy and Leaders at Inaugural Optical Awards

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) revealed the winners of its inaugural ‘Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards’ 2025 during a special ceremony held on 16 September at the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference, Warsaw, Poland.

Awards Free IOTA (IHMA) Free

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Hazen’s 'TIME TRAVELER' Celebrates Century of Holographic Innovation

For years, Hazen Paper’s holographic calendars have become an annual highlight for designers, collectors, printers, and brand owners. Every calendar showcases Hazen’s brilliant work in pushing the boundaries of optical effects.

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Chander S Jeena

13 July 2025

2 min read

Global Leaders Join IOTA to Shape Future of Optical Security

Last month, the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) announced its newest member – SATORIS of Lithuania. It has now announced the addition of a further four prominent new members: SICPA, TOPTICAL, Q&T Hi-Tech, and XRD Nano.

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Chander S Jeena

19 June 2025

7 min read

Spotlight on Award-Winning Optical Security Innovations

Optical security innovations continued to win global recognition. Recent award ceremonies across the currency, identity, and packaging sectors have highlighted how these innovations continue to protect these. In this article, Holography & Optical Technology News™ (HOT News) reviews several of the award-winning developments.

Awards Free Free

Chander S Jeena

18 May 2025

3 min read

Pokémon Turns 30 with Optical Security at Heart

If you’re a Pokémon fan, you’ve probably heard that ‘Pokémon TCG: Journey Together’ has been released recently and is now available at the Pokémon Centre (the official website), local card shops, and select retailers in themed boxes, bundles, and booster packs.

Brand Protection Companies Free Free

Francis Tuffy

27 March 2025

2 min read

Securing ID Documents Through Holography and Materials Innovations

At the recent High Security Printing™ (HSP) EMEA conference in Basel (3-5 February), Georgios Tziovaras, Global Business Development Manager at Covestro Specialty Films, highlighted the crucial role of holography and advanced optical technologies in modern identity documents.

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Latest News

Malaysia’s New Passport Debuts 94 Security Features

Logan’s Historic Photopolymer Era Comes to a Close

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

Editorial: The Optical Security Innovation Race

China’s Commemorative Series: A Platform for Innovation

Wires That Don’t Catch Fire: Vietnam Fights Fake Cables

Next-Gen Banknotes and Optical Innovation at the HSP EMEA Awards

Covestro Navigates Headwinds with Strategic Shifts and Industrial Expansion

Next-Gen IDs and Optical Innovation at the HSP EMEA Awards

Calendar and Foils: Turning Time into a Story

2025: The Year Optical Security Reached New Heights

From Posters to Premium Packs: The Best in Decorative & Packaging at the IOTA Awards

From Deep Roots to New Heights – The Tree of Life by Kurz

Invima Detects Counterfeit MABTHERA® with the Help of Holograms

IOTA Honours Legacy and Leaders at Inaugural Optical Awards

Hazen’s 'TIME TRAVELER' Celebrates Century of Holographic Innovation

Global Leaders Join IOTA to Shape Future of Optical Security

Spotlight on Award-Winning Optical Security Innovations

Pokémon Turns 30 with Optical Security at Heart

Securing ID Documents Through Holography and Materials Innovations

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