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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.

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

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

Editorial: Is Malaysia’s Hologram Security Label System Failing?

Recent claims questioning the effectiveness of Malaysia’s pharmaceutical security label programme, FarmaTag™, have reignited an important debate about the programme’s effectiveness. The Ministry of Health (MOH) responded unequivocally, firmly rejecting claims that the system is incapable of protecting consumers from falsified medicines.

Editorial

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

De La Rue Bets on the Future of Cash with New Malta Supersite

After five years and an investment of c. €60 million, De La Rue’s new factory in Malta has been officially opened in the presence of the country’s Prime Minister, Robert Abela, and Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects. Described as a ‘supersite’, it will – says De La Rue – support the creation of world class, functionally excellent banknotes for the next 50 years and beyond.

Strategy

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

KINEGRAM® Around the World

For many years, KURZ has led in demonstrating how advanced optical security technologies integrate into banknotes. Through a series of creative sample banknotes and showcases, the company has illustrated the potential of security threads, registered stripes, stripe-over-window features, applied patch labels, and security patches.

Optical Security Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

IOTA Patent Watch

The April 2026 edition of the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) Patent Newsletter features 100 newly published patents and applications covering optical security, authentication, and anticounterfeiting technologies.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

23 June 2026

2 min read

Q&T and KURZ Partner to Embed KINEGRAM® in PolySecure®

Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer and KURZ have signed a Project Development Cooperation Agreement to integrate KINEGRAM® optical security features into Q&T’s PolySecure® polymer banknote substrate. The partnership will focus on embedding KURZ’s KINEGRAM® technology directly within the BOPP layers of Q&T’s polymer substrate structure, creating a higher level of security integration than conventional surface-applied features.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

3 min read

New Documents in 2026

In our last edition, we reported on the launch of Georgia’s new e-passport and its advanced security architecture. This article reviews other major identity and travel documents introduced in recent months, including those from Oklahoma, the Netherlands, asylum residence permits, and Liechtenstein’s latest e-passport programme.

ID & Secure Documents

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

2 min read

PWPW Scales Up R&D and Intellectual Property Investment

According to a recent social media post, Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW) is emphasising research and development (R&D) and intellectual property (IP) as central to its future growth strategy.

Strategy

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

4 min read

News in Brief

Epson has partnered with the KURZ SCRIBOS to deploy an advanced anti-counterfeiting and supply chain transparency solution across Southeast Asia, strengthening protection for its printer consumables business.

News

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

2 min read

DNP Targets Europe with €364 Million AUSTRIACARD Bid

Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), a leading Japanese technology and printing company, has announced a public takeover offer for AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG, in a move set to significantly expand its global information security and identity solutions business.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

4 min read

Eastman’s Journey Puts Holograms Into Windscreens

From its origins alongside famous photographic film manufacturer, Kodak, the Eastman name has travelled a long way in holography, all the way to its appearance at Auto China 2026.

AR & VR

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

3 min read

De La Rue Ignites the Innovation Race with OPTILIGHT™

De La Rue has introduced OPTILIGHT™, a next-generation optical security platform for banknotes, following significant investment in innovation and technology. OPTILIGHT combines nano-science, custom built imaging equipment, proprietary algorithms, and utilises their decades of accumulated experience in the field to deliver intuitive optical effects for public authentication.

Currency Optical Security

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

21 May 2026

2 min read

TwinColors® Patches: Two Layers of Micromirrors fore More Sophisticated Security

Giesecke+Devrient has introduced TwinColors® Patch as latest innovation in banknote security, elevating micromirror-based optical features to what it terms a new level of sophistication.

Currency Optical Security

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

3 min read

Seaborough’s LUMICRYPT™ Engineers Unique Luminescent Fingerprints

Security printing has always borrowed optical phenomena from physics and chemistry, and few are as useful as luminescence.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

1 min read

TÖNNJES Presents New License Plate Authentication Solution with SICPA

TÖNNJES, in cooperation with SICPA, is introducing OPALINE®, an optical mid and long-range authentication solution for secure licence plates. TONNJES showcased the solution at ID4Africa this month.

Authentication Strategy

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