The French state-owned security solutions group IN Groupe has successfully completed the acquisition of IDEMIA Smart Identity, positioning itself as the global leader in end-to-end, advanced physical and digital identity solutions and trust services.

July 2025 marked a year since Authentix finalised the acquisition of the authentication operations of the Canadian group Meta Materials, which centred around Nanotech Security Corp (NSC), for approximately $10 million. NSC is a specialist in nanostructured functional films, including the Lumachrome® security feature, which is used in more than 30 banknote denominations worldwide, LiveOptik™ PROTECT, a security foil developed for the brand protection market and QUANTUM® Stripe – the world’s first fully animated nano optic and plasmonic banknote security feature.

The programme for the 2025 Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference, which takes place 15-17 September in Warsaw and is supported by the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), has now been finalised, reaffirming its position as the technical forum for physical, digital, and virtual document security.

Between 22-23 July 2025, KURZ Banknote Security celebrated 30 years of security production at its Sulzbach-Rosenberg site with two days of reflection, innovation, and networking.

Holograms have a long and successful history as a decorative enhancement on coins (see HN November 2022). Recent releases show that mints are continuing to explore holographic innovation to convey stories, celebrate heritage, enhance value, and improve security.

Crane Currency has added yet another iteration of its micro- optics technology to its portfolio of security features – cBREEZE™. Engineered for high volume, lower value notes, it is designed with durability and cost-efficiency in mind, bringing the same visual dynamism and security as its sibling technology RAPID® HD, but in a simplified, more accessible and lower cost form.

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.

The deadline has passed, the entries are in – and the buzz is building. The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) has officially closed submissions (as of 8 August) for its first-ever Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards, amid a strong response, and is now preparing for the award ceremony.

Argentina’s cigarette tax stamps have undergone a redesign following the transformation of the country’s tax authority from the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (AFIP) to the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA). While the change reflects new institutional branding and regulatory updates under General Resolution 5603/2024, the stamps’ core optical security features remain firmly in place.

German startup Gixel has raised €5 million in seed funding to develop next-generation optical see-through displays for AI and augmented reality (AR) eyewear.

US-based Lumenco, together with its subsidiary in brand protection (Nanopixel®), has announced a strategic alliance with UK-based XRD Nano to co-develop new- generation solutions in manufacturing microlens arrays and high-performance UV chemistry for brand security.

In the July edition of Holography & Optical Technology News®, we spotlighted Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer’s POLYSECURE SHIELD – the polymer banknote substrate with an embedded OVD. In this issue, we continue our coverage of banknote anticounterfeiting innovations with a look at the CBRI’s new approach to window security features, blending fluorescent effects with fine-pattern transparency directly in paper substrates.

New technology from US-based startup SMS, called ‘Nanocoining’, is helping to bring nano- and microscale patterns to the industrial scale. The technology creates seamless cylindrical drum moulds for roll-to-roll nanoimprint processes with a patterning rate of up to 2 square inches (2,500mm2) per second – more than 500 times faster than typical electron-beam tools.

IOTA’s inaugural webinar, titled ‘Seeing is Believing: Optical Features for High-Stakes Security’, held on 25 June 2025, lived up to its name. This was the International Optical Technologies Association’s (IOTA) first public event under its new identity, and focused on the essential role of optical technologies in verifying and safeguarding high-stakes documents, such as banknotes, identity cards, tax stamps, and branded products.

Following recent management changes, Hueck Folien (HF) CEO Dr Martin Bergsmann has assumed additional responsibility for Production and Technology. This comes after Manfred Durstberger stepped down from the Management Board on 31 March 2025, concluding 14 successful years as Managing Director in that domain. Durstberger will continue to oversee the rollout of the company’s new vapour deposition system until mid-year.

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.

The presentation at the recent HSP Latin America in Rio de Janeiro by Ian Brigham of Spectra Systems covered the new house note that has been produced by Casa da Moeda do Brasil on its Fusion™ polymer substrate. The ‘Boa Sorte’ note incorporates a level 3 taggant unique to Fusion as well as, for the first time, a new level 1 optical security feature from Oberthur – Kryptonome™.

In the ever-evolving world of high-security printing, Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer, located in Hanoi, Vietnam, has emerged as an innovative new player in banknote polymer substrate technology. The company’s latest innovation, POLYSECURE® SHIELD, was unveiled at the recent Currency Conference, held from 26-29 May in Bangkok, Thailand.

On 5 June 2025, Congo officially launched its new biometric passport. Developed in partnership with DERMALOG and led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this passport introduces a modern and secure travel document complying with the latest ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) standards.

SATORIS, a leading security printing house from Lithuania, has become the latest member to join the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA).