New Banknote Hologram Wins International Security Award
18 Nov 2021 | Press Release
A holographic device that provides improved protection for banknotes against the risk of counterfeiting, has won an international award organised by industry trade body, the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA).
Germany’s banknote and security paper manufacturer Louisenthal’s RollingStar LEAD Mix foil stripe for the Bank of Azerbaijan’s new 50 Manat note has scooped the top slot in the ‘Best Applied Security Product’ category at the Excellence in Holography Awards 2021, which was presented by the IHMA at this year’s virtual Holography Conference (17-18 November).
Reflecting a banknote ‘thriving with the most advanced and attractive security features’, the 50 Manat 50 marks the importance of education and progress made by young school children to university students. Key anti-counterfeiting devices include a metallic surface relief motif ‘flip’ effect, colour shifting motifs and animation, which were created through a combination of micromirrors and unique multi-layer coating colour shift technology. This delivers improved levels of protection against currency counterfeiting and is considered a market leader in the banknote field.
The judges were particularly impressed by the proven combination of design, dynamics and colour shift, which provide both eye-catching appeal and raise banknote security to a higher level.
Also marked out for their security related products were the Russian Federation-based KRYPTEN Research and Production Company, and SURYS of France. A holographic patch that can be applied to both paper and polymer-based banknotes and ID documents to improve enhanced security and protection scooped first place for KRYPTEN in the ‘Innovation in Holographic Technology’ category.
SURYS’s Plasmogram Reverso banknote, which features an optical security based on plasmonic sciences and nano-technologies, won the ‘Best Origination’ award. It marks the first application of the technology on a polymer note, which was recognised by the judges as a real success from an eye-catching design, product integration and anti-counterfeiting perspective.
The Excellence in Holography event recognises outstanding achievement, marking success for those at the forefront of the sector who have developed innovative or commercially viable hologram products or techniques over the last 12 months.
Involving sector suppliers, manufacturers and end-users from around the world, the event, held again online due to the pandemic, saw Dr Paul Dunn, chair of the IHMA, commend the high standard of entries, reflecting a strong, resilient and vibrant industry that continues to expand and push commercial and technological security and anti-counterfeiting boundaries.
He said: “Congratulations to Louisenthal, who have followed last year’s success and demonstrated once again the highest standards of quality, creativity and technical ambition in meeting the security needs of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and the wider banknote sector.”
