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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reconnaissance, publishers of Holography & Optical Technology News™ and organisers of the High Security Printing™ (HSP) conferences, has opened the call for papers for the upcoming HSP Asia event, scheduled for 30 November -2 December 2026 in Hong Kong. Delegates are invited to submit a proposal by 25 September 2026.