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Chander S Jeena

24 Feb. 2026

6 min read

HSP EMEA Makes Its African Debut with a Record Audience

This February, HSP EMEA marked its 22nd edition with its largest event yet. For the first time, the conference was held in Morocco and on the African continent, highlighting the region’s rising role in secure printing, identity management, and related technologies.

Events

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

24 Feb. 2026

2 min read

ODDS 2027 Call for Papers: Advancing Research in Next-Generation Security

The organisers of the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference announce the Call for Papers for ODDS 2027, inviting researchers, technologists, and practitioners to submit original work on document and identity system security.

Events

Chander S Jeena

24 Feb. 2026

2 min read

Central Asia Gains Voice in Global Optical Security with Kyrgyzstan’s IOTA Entry

Uchkun OJSC (Open Joint Stock Company), Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned security printing house, has joined the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), becoming the association’s first member from the country. The move gives Central Asia a stronger presence in the international optical security community, as well as cementing IOTA’s position as a truly global body, spanning all continents and major regions.

IOTA Members

Chander S Jeena

24 Feb. 2026

1 min read

Optical Innovation in 2025: Patent Survey

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) patent newsletter provides crucial insights to its members. In the January 2026 edition of the patent newsletter, over 100 patents were featured, highlighting the latest advancements in the evolving field of optics, which spans security, display technologies, and scientific tools.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

24 Feb. 2026

2 min read

AkzoNobel Intensifies Efforts to Combat Counterfeit Paint

With the Vietnamese market receiving numerous reports from consumers suffering significant losses from using counterfeit paint, AkzoNobel, the producers of Dulux and Maxilite paint, has officially reaffirmed its commitment to product quality and announced support activities to help customers identify genuine products.

Brand Protection

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.

Free Free

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

4 min read

News in Brief

Holoflex Limited, a leading provider of holograms, tax stamps, and labelling solutions in India, has introduced a refreshed brand identity to mark 35 years of excellence.

News

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Let Colour Take the Strain

Imagine a material that doesn’t contain colour in the usual way—no dyes, no pigments—yet it is colourful. It can sweep smoothly from red to blue simply by being stretched and then snap back again when released.

Philippe Gentet

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Holography in Pocket: Turning iPhone Portraits into Full-Parallax 3D Images

Holography, once the domain of high-energy lasers and complex camera arrays, is now entering the realm of everyday consumer technology. A recent study published in Optics Letters demonstrates how a single smartphone – specifically, an iPhone 13 Pro – can be used to generate full-parallax holographic portraits, offering a low-cost and accessible alternative to traditional methods.

AR & VR

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

4 min read

From Documents to Pills: Malaysia’s Optical Security Blueprint

The 21st High Security Printing™ Asia (HSP-Asia), organised by Reconnaissance, took place in Kuala Lumpur 1-3 December 2025 and was the most successful event in its history (see HOT News December 2025).

Case Studies

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Turkmenistan’s Highest Denomination Goes with Optical Security

The Central Bank of Turkmenistan has unveiled a new series of banknotes, designed and printed by De La Rue on SAFEGUARD® polymer, to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s recognition as a permanently neutral state. Included in the upgrade are the three lowest denominations – the 1, 5, 10 manats – along with a new high denomination 200 manat. The previous highest denomination was the 100 manat, and the series also includes 20 and 50 manats.

Banknotes

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Hong Kong Customs Confirms 99% Success in Holographic Duty Stamp Pilot

In October, Holography & Optical Technology News™ reported on Hong Kong Customs (HKC) launch of a three-month pilot programme for its new tobacco duty stamp system. The initiative involved holographic trial duty stamps on duty-paid cigarette packs to help prevent illegal trade and enhance tax compliance.

Tax Stamps

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

IOTA Membership Becomes More Valuable

Instantly access and analyse any documents, anywhere in the world, with DocCheck, a new member service for the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA). This powerful tool is available to IOTA members starting January 2026.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

HSP EMEA Heads to Morocco for the First Time

Reconnaissance, publisher of Holography & Optical Technology News™ and organiser of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conference series, has confirmed that final preparations for HSP EMEA 2026 are underway, with registrations filling near capacity. The event will take place from 9-11 February 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, and registration will close soon.

Events

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Obsidian: All-Black Holographic Lottery Scratch Games

Scientific Games (SG), the world’s leading lottery company and a long-time pioneer in holographic instant scratch games, has unveiled Obsidian, its latest premium breakthrough in scratch game design.

Brand Protection

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

4 min read

Evolution from the Eye of Origination: Final Highlights from the IOTA Awards

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

Awards

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

3 min read

Will HoloMem Make It Real?

Many efforts to use holographic storage for computer memory have fallen by the wayside, but the approach being taken by London-based HoloMem might finally see holograms used successfully as a means of archiving records efficiently while allowing rapid access.

Holographic Optical Element (HOE)

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

2 min read

Fly Out, Turtle In: Optiks Gives Way to Holographic Foil on Seychelles 500 Rupee

The Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS) has introduced an upgraded version of its highest-value banknote, the 500 Seychellois rupee (SCR), replacing the superwide Optiks thread (which has now been discontinued as a security feature) with a holographic stripe. The new 500 rupee banknotes entered circulation in December 2025.

Banknotes

Chander S Jeena

22 Jan. 2026

1 min read

Banknote Conference Coming in May

The Banknote Conference 2026 will take place 11-14 May in Washington DC. Even though the event is still months away, the organiser, Currency Research, has already shared details about six pre-event workshops and the first tranche of confirmed speakers, showing that a strong, technical program is planned.

Events

Latest News

HSP EMEA Makes Its African Debut with a Record Audience

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

ODDS 2027 Call for Papers: Advancing Research in Next-Generation Security

Central Asia Gains Voice in Global Optical Security with Kyrgyzstan’s IOTA Entry

Optical Innovation in 2025: Patent Survey

AkzoNobel Intensifies Efforts to Combat Counterfeit Paint

Calendar and Foils: Turning Time into a Story

News in Brief

Let Colour Take the Strain

Holography in Pocket: Turning iPhone Portraits into Full-Parallax 3D Images

From Documents to Pills: Malaysia’s Optical Security Blueprint

Turkmenistan’s Highest Denomination Goes with Optical Security

Hong Kong Customs Confirms 99% Success in Holographic Duty Stamp Pilot

IOTA Membership Becomes More Valuable

HSP EMEA Heads to Morocco for the First Time

Obsidian: All-Black Holographic Lottery Scratch Games

Evolution from the Eye of Origination: Final Highlights from the IOTA Awards

Will HoloMem Make It Real?

Fly Out, Turtle In: Optiks Gives Way to Holographic Foil on Seychelles 500 Rupee

Banknote Conference Coming in May

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