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Aftab Baloch

24 June 2026

2 min read

From E-Passports to Holographic Concerts: Pakistan’s Emerging Optical Landscape

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.

ID & Secure Documents

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Scientists Create Octopus-Inspired Material

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.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

UCLA Breakthrough in 3D Imaging: 28 Layers, One Shot

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.

Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

6 min read

Award-Winning Innovation: The Best of HSP Latin America 2026

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.

Awards

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

SDS 2026: Bringing Together the Global Security and Identity Community in Beijing

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).

Events

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

Industry Performance Review 2025: SecurityTech Leaders Report Resilient Growth

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.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Malaysia Reaffirms Confidence in Hologram-Based Medicine Authentication

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.

Authentication Strategy

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Light as the Key: KAIST Creates New Hologram Technology for Future Security

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.

Free Technical Features Free

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

1 min read

IOTA Launches Start-Up Membership Programme to Foster Innovation

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.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

1 min read

Global Label Market Continues to Expand

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.

Studies, Reports

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Covestro and EMPTECH Forge Strategic Alliance for High-Security Identity Documents

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.

Collaborations

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

Holoflex Plans New Manufacturing Unit, Targets £10 Million Revenue

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.

Strategy

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

Editorial: Is Malaysia’s Hologram Security Label System Failing?

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.

Editorial

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

De La Rue Bets on the Future of Cash with New Malta Supersite

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.

Strategy

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

3 min read

KINEGRAM® Around the World

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.

Optical Security Technical Features

Chander S Jeena

24 June 2026

2 min read

IOTA Patent Watch

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.

IOTA (IHMA)

Chander S Jeena

23 June 2026

2 min read

Q&T and KURZ Partner to Embed KINEGRAM® in PolySecure®

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.

Companies

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

3 min read

New Documents in 2026

In our last edition, we reported on the launch of Georgia’s new e-passport and its advanced security architecture. This article reviews other major identity and travel documents introduced in recent months, including those from Oklahoma, the Netherlands, asylum residence permits, and Liechtenstein’s latest e-passport programme.

ID & Secure Documents

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

2 min read

PWPW Scales Up R&D and Intellectual Property Investment

According to a recent social media post, Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych (PWPW) is emphasising research and development (R&D) and intellectual property (IP) as central to its future growth strategy.

Strategy

Chander S Jeena

21 May 2026

4 min read

News in Brief

Epson has partnered with the KURZ SCRIBOS to deploy an advanced anti-counterfeiting and supply chain transparency solution across Southeast Asia, strengthening protection for its printer consumables business.

News

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