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Guri Dhillon

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Why Use UV Resin for Hologram Casting?

UV resin is the preferred material for hologram casting because of its high precision, fast curing, and excellent optical properties. Here’s why UV resin is widely used in security holograms, diffractive optical elements (DOEs), and high-resolution embossing applications.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Bolivia’s Bicentennial Commemorative Banknote

Amidst the gradual introduction of a new banknote series, Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) has also launched a new bicentennial commemorative banknote, which was unveiled at a special event attended by the country’s President at the Casa de Libertad in Sucre, a heritage museum and former church where the country signed its declaration of independence in 1825.

Currency

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Optoelectronics Brings Smartphone Holograms a Step Closer

A new advance in optoelectronics from the University of St Andrews could accelerate the arrival of holographic technology in consumer devices, including smartphones, wearables, and entertainment platforms.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Authentix Powers Crypto Banknote with Next Generation Security

The ultra-fast trading platform Fastex recently announced the release of a series of collectible currency notes, each backed 1:1 by FTN token, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. Unveiled in early July at the Harmony Meetup 7 in Yerevan, Armenia, the annual event that unites top minds from Web3 and iGaming, these notes feature banknote-grade anti-counterfeit features provided by Authentix.

Currency

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

5 min read

IOTA Honours Legacy and Leaders at Inaugural Optical Awards

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) revealed the winners of its inaugural ‘Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards’ 2025 during a special ceremony held on 16 September at the Optical & Digital Document Security™ (ODDS) conference, Warsaw, Poland.

Awards Free IOTA (IHMA) Free

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

Investcorp-Backed Canpac Acquires Shriram Veritech Solutions

Canpac Trends, one of India’s leading packaging solution providers, has announced the successful acquisition of Shriram Veritech Solutions, a company specialising in holographic security labels and anticounterfeiting solutions. The deal value was not disclosed.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Chander S Jeena

23 Sept. 2025

2 min read

EPFL Finds Way to Capture Every Twist of Polarised Light

According to researchers at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, polarisation is key for future technologies, ranging from quantum computers to secure communication and holographic displays.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

15 Sept. 2025

3 min read

ASPA Charts the Future: Fresh Leadership and First Industry Report

The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), India’s leading industry body for authentication and traceability solutions, has announced its newly elected board members for the 2025–2027 term. The appointments were confirmed at ASPA’s annual general meeting (AGM), held on 10 September in New Delhi.

Associations

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

3 min read

Crane Expands Micro-Optics Portfolio with Cost-Efficient cBREEZE™

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.

Optical Security

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

8 min read

A Year After the Nanotech Acquisition: Optical Innovation at Authentix

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.

Interviews

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

4 min read

Mints Continue to Explore Holograms

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.

Currency

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

1 min read

Gixel Secures €5M for Advanced Optical Displays in AI and AR Glasses

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.

Displays

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

IN Groupe Completes Acquisition of IDEMIA Smart Identity

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.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Deadline Passes for IOTA First Optical Excellence Awards

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.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Optical Technologies Shine in ODDS 2025 Programme

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.

Events

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

4 min read

News In Brief

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.

News

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Hazen’s 'TIME TRAVELER' Celebrates Century of Holographic Innovation

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.

Free IOTA Members Free

Chander S Jeena

18 Aug. 2025

2 min read

Optical Features Retained in Argentina’s Revamped Tax Stamps

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.

Tax Stamps

Chander S Jeena

13 July 2025

5 min read

News in Brief

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.

News

Chander S Jeena

13 July 2025

3 min read

Ultra-Thin Lenses That Make Infrared Light Visible

Researchers at ETH Zurich, University (Switzerland) have developed an ultra-thin metalens that can convert infrared light into visible light. This innovation relies on a special material, lithium niobate (synthetic salt consisting of niobium, lithium, and oxygen), and a novel fabrication process that stamps nanoscale patterns onto its surface.

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