IOTA Broadens Global Network With New Members and Tools

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) is continuing its global expansion as optical security technologies find increasing applications across identity, currency, security printing and brand protection. With members now representing more than 30 countries, the association has added four new members in 2026 while expanding its member services and international technical engagement.

Expanding the network

The latest members bring expertise across sovereign security printing, digital identity, advanced materials and anti-counterfeiting.

• Uchkun OJSC (Kyrgyzstan): as IOTA's first member from the Kyrgyz Republic, Uchkun brings sovereign security printing expertise to the association, including the production of banknotes, passports and other high-security documents.
• EMPTECH (China): Shenzhen Emperor Technology, known as Emptech and established in 1995, brings expertise in identity products and digital identity solutions, supported by international R&D and service infrastructure.
• Covestro (Germany): Covestro brings expertise in high-performance polymer films, including Makrofol® ID polycarbonate films for secure documents and Bayfol® HX photopolymer film for security holography. Covestro and EMPTECH have also entered a strategic partnership focused on high-security identity document solutions (see also HOTN July 2026).
• ASY Anti-Forgery Science and Technology (China): part of the ASY Group, the Fujian-based company specialises in anti-counterfeiting technologies, security printing, labels, certificates, packaging and identification systems.