Awards Reflect Ongoing Integration of Traditional Holograms with Other Techniques

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) Excellence in Holography awards recognises those at the forefront of developing innovative or commercially viable holography products or techniques.

For this year’s awards, held online on 22 November, the judges were impressed by strong advances in new application areas and the continued integration of traditional holograms with other technologies to deliver added-value authentication solutions.

Among the winners was Meta Materials for Best Origination – as well as Best in Show – with its QUANTUM stripe banknote authentication product. Based on the company’s KolourOptik® technology, QUANTUM stripe combines movement, 3D stereoscopic depth, and multi-colour effects in an ultrathin form factor.

According to the judges, ‘the plasmonic developments by Meta are among a new range of optical technologies pushing the boundaries of anti-counterfeit security features and developments in recent years’.

Moving to the Best Applied Security Product category, this was won by the Green LongLife RollingStar® Hologram Micromirror LEAD Mix, produced by banknote security specialist Louisenthal. The judges particularly noted the complex combination of micro (holo) and macro (mirror) structures and colour shift, integrating a traditional hologram with a micromirror feature incorporating ‘great’ dynamics and 3D.

Green LongLife RollingStar Hologram Micromirror LEAD Mix, Louisenthal.

IHMA Chairman, Dr Paul Dunn, commented: ‘what’s clear to see in this year’s crop of winners is that the speed of technical evolution continues unabated, particularly developments in digital technologies, which will probably be the most significant to impact the future of anti-counterfeiting solutions next year and beyond.

‘We are seeing optical technologies merging with digital solutions and greater levels of optical security by combining technology functions. These awards mark ongoing advancement in the design, development and technology of commercial holograms, which continue to find fresh and innovative ways to add value and heightened levels of security and packaging enhancement to products used by millions of consumers the world over.’ 

https://ihma.org/all-awards/