Researchers at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in Korea, operating under the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST), have developed a field- programmable gate array (FPGA)-based processor capable of converting conventional 2D video into real-time 3D holograms.

Japan-based Toppan Holdings, a global player in printing, packaging, and security features, is advancing its growth strategy through acquisitions, innovation, and support for startups. According to the company, it is reshaping its international presence, with a strong emphasis on sustainable packaging and security technologies, while investing in next- generation materials and systems.

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.

Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) achieved record revenue in 2024, continuing its growth trajectory.

LEONHARD KURZ, a market leader in security and surface finishing technologies, has announced the integration of its subsidiary SCRIBOS, a digital platform provider which it acquired in 2021 (see HOT News August 2021), under a new unified brand identity – KURZ SCRIBOS.

De La Rue, the 211-year-old British icon known for printing some of the world’s most secure banknotes, is turning the page. In a move that marks the end of its public market journey, US- based Atlas Holdings (through its vehicle ACR Bidco Limited) will acquire the company for £263 million in an all-cash deal.

The brand protection landscape is entering a new era, marked not only by technological advancements but also by a shift in identity.

K Laser Technology has inaugurated its newest and most advanced facility in China, marking another milestone in its global growth strategy. Located in Nanchang’s High- Tech Industrial Development Zone, the new campus spans 52,000m² and will serve as the company’s regional headquarters for China.

Crane NXT recently announced the launch of a new brand identity: Crane Authentication. This unified brand consolidates the strengths of De La Rue Authentication (the recently finalised acquisition made in May 2025), the Smart Packaging assets of TruTag Technologies, and OpSec Security (purchased last year).

As the authentication and print finishing industries evolve, innovation requires recognition to succeed. Awards celebrate achievements and highlight the collaborations, materials, and technologies that shape the future of visual and physical security. Time to remind you of a few upcoming ones.

Set against the backdrop of Warsaw’s rich heritage, the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) 2025 conference will take place from 15-17 September, bringing together global experts to explore the latest advancements in physical and digital document protection.

With its refreshed identity and broader mission, the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) – formerly known as the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) – is deepening its engagement with the global optical security technologies (OST) community.

Holographic features have long played a vital role in optical document security—grabbing attention, signaling authenticity, and giving visual verification. But as design trends shift and digital solutions take a larger role, it’s time to reassess their impact.

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) has announced the first Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards, a new global initiative recognising innovation and technical achievement across the wider optical security technologies (OSTs) landscape.

US-based Holographix® LLC (a Headwall Group Company), provider of nano and micro-optics solutions, has announced the launch of specialised design services for microlens array (MLA) devices.

De La Rue, the 211-year-old British icon known for printing some of the world’s most secure banknotes, is turning the page. In a move that marks the end of its public market journey, US-based Atlas Holdings (through its vehicle ACR Bidco Limited) will acquire the company for £263 million in an all-cash deal.

The 12th edition of the Reconnaissance Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum™ (TSTF) took place from 7-9 April in Cape Town, South Africa. More than 165 delegates from 84 organisations representing 44 countries (including tax authorities from Africa and worldwide) participated in the event. They explored strategic and practical solutions to safeguard and enhance government tax revenues while combating the illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol, and other products.

Reconnaissance International has unveiled DataVault™, the industry’s first dedicated, searchable online database for banknotes and coins – designed specifically for currency professionals who need fast, reliable, and up-to-date information.

In the October 2024 edition of Holography News, we reported key developments from Hueck Folien, Hazen, and others that are shaping the path toward a greener future. As more companies from Europe to Asia integrate renewable energy systems, electrify heat processes, and forge strategic alliances to align innovation with climate responsibility, this article provides updates on additional initiatives from the packaging and security printing industry.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst have developed a new method for aligning 3D semiconductor chips by shining a laser through concentric meta lenses patterned on the chips to produce a hologram.

The evolution of identity documents is accelerating. As countries modernise their national ID systems, a noticeable shift is emerging – not just in digital functionality but also in the physical layout of the cards themselves.

The introduction of portrait-format identity cards signifies a shift in how governments approach ID design. With Iceland’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant vertical ID launched in 2024 and Cameroon’s in 2025 (see page 4), the transition from landscape to portrait layouts offers a new canvas for optical security.

TOPPAN Digital Inc, a subsidiary of TOPPAN Holdings Inc, has developed a new colour version of its innovative Illumigram™ hologram. Originally available only in white, the enhanced version now presents multi-colour 3D text and images that respond to strong light sources, such as a smartphone torch.

Researchers from EPFL’s Laboratory of Applied Photonic Devices, led by Christophe Moser, in collaboration with Jesper Glückstad’s team at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), have revealed a breakthrough in 3D printing.

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.

Giriraj Foils (IOTA member), a well-respected name in India’s high- security films, stamping foils and laminates, has partnered with François-Charles Oberthur group, a global leader in banknote printing, security solutions and technologies, to deliver micro-optics and other advanced authentication solutions tailored for the Indian market.

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA), previously known as the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), has announced its inaugural leadership team for the new global trade body focused on optical security technologies.

The De La Rue’s new express label series calls for thought.

Crane NXT has secured its first micro- optics contract through the OpSec Security channel with a luxury perfume brand.

De La Rue has introduced the Optical Express Label Series (OELS) to provide brand owners with quick yet secure authentication solutions.

In the January and February 2025 issues of Holography & Optical Technology News™, we covered banknotes featuring optical innovations from Argentina, Mauritius, Romania, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Kenya, China, the Falklands, and Belize.

Radiant Opto-Electronics (ROE) Corporation, based in Taiwan and a leader in backlight module technologies, has completed the acquisition of Denmark-based NIL Technology (NILT), recognised for its innovative meta-optics and nanostructured flat optics solutions.

Honeywell has unveiled the development of a new technology, Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM), which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to count and classify microscopic particles or cells efficiently. This innovation holds significant potential across various industries where rapid analysis and streamlined operations are essential.

The Intergraf Currency+Identity 2025 conference was held with style and innovation from 5-7 March in Milan, Italy. From the start, it promised more than just discussions, offering a creative and insightful take on the world of security printing to the 1,000+ delegates that took part.

In a collaborative development, Banknote Corporation of India (BCA) joined 4Plate, Covestro, Luminescence, and IQ Structures to introduce the Milano card (collectible), a bold celebration of creativity and innovation.

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) hosted the sixth edition of the Traceability and Authentication Forum in New Delhi on 17-18 March. The event highlighted the need for stronger anticounterfeiting laws and a greater use of authentication and traceability tools.

On 23 January 2025, the Central Bank of Belize (CBoB) announced a new series of banknotes (in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100) featuring holographic threads and stripes. This announcement signifies a significant milestone in Belize’s financial landscape, showcasing innovative designs that celebrate the country’s rich heritage while embracing modernity.

With its charming riverside setting, vibrant cultural scene, and excellent public transport, Basel hosted the 21st edition of High Security Printing™ EMEA (HSP EMEA).

Luminit, a California-based provider of innovative light management solutions for the lighting display, automotive, biomedical, entertainment, and machine vision industries, has made a number of key senior appointments.

A European research team from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Belgium is developing an innovative imaging technology to visualise neuronal processes in living organisms with high precision.

Sanyo Chemical, a global manufacturer and supplier of performance chemicals based in Kyoto, Japan, has launched HILUCIS, a UV-curable nanoimprint resin designed to enhance the development of next-generation optical devices for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR).

Recent advancements in nanofabrication have demonstrated new possibilities for enhancing the design of optical security devices (OSDs) that display different images under various lighting conditions, including those combining colour printing with holography. However, the complexity of designing such devices and the challenge of scaling them up for real-world use remain significant hurdles.

Researchers from the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas and the University of Crete, both in Greece, have developed a groundbreaking optical encryption method that they claim achieves an outstanding level of security.

On 3 July 2024, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) began a new journey with holograms on banknotes, as it issued a new series of banknotes carrying holographic portraits.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has a long relationship with holography, dating back to 1968 and Professor Stephen Benton, a leading figure in the field and the inventor of rainbow holography. Benton joined MIT in the late 1980s and established the Spatial Imaging Group within the Media Lab. This article briefly covers the activities between MIT and holography.

The Chinese Lunar New Year 2025 began on 29 January, marking the start of the Year of the Snake. While people and organisations celebrate this in various ways, Holography & Optical Technology News® focuses on a few innovative industry developments welcoming the year of the snake.

WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc (NASDAQ: WiMi), a global hologram augmented reality (AR) technology provider, has announced the development of a hybrid CPU- FPGA quantum AI simulator.

In the November 2024 issues of Holography News™, we covered banknotes featuring optical innovations from Samoa, Lesotho, Bermuda, and Cambodia.

A team of researchers at Sun Yat-sen University in China, has developed a novel luminescent material with dynamic properties.

CES® (short for the Consumer Electronics Show) is justifiably referred to as the most influential technology event in the world. It is the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. CES 2025 was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 7-10 January 2025.

Advances in optical security technologies are crucial in combating counterfeiting, particularly for government issued documents and banknotes. A recent development in this field is the creation of a high-numerical-aperture (NA) multilevel diffractive microlens array (MLA) that operates across multiple wavelengths.

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), in collaboration with The Rise (event management firm), has announced the next edition of its flagship event, the Traceability & Authentication Forum™ (TAF).

With the new branding, the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) – formerly the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) – is expanding its advocacy of the optical security technologies ecosystem.

The Supreme Court of India is considering making hologram-based, colour-coded stickers (HCCS) for vehicles mandatory nationwide. This comes amid growing concerns about pollution, with an increasing trend in the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi, the country’s capital. The court noted that of the approximately 2.7 million vehicles in Delhi, only 1.7-1.8 million had these HCCS, which are crucial for identifying vehicles using sub-par fuel on high-pollution days.

Appotronics, a leader in laser display technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Ceres Holographics to combine their technologies for in-car display solutions, including transparent heads-up displays (HUDs) for drivers and passengers.

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, ‘What’s in a name?’. Her words suggest that names are merely labels, holding little significance in defining the essence of a thing. Yet, names can profoundly shape perceptions, signal identity, and set expectations. With this in mind, I want to update you about a pivotal moment for Holography News® (HN), which is adopting a new name: Holography & Optical Technology News® (HOT News).