PR: Closing date for first international optical technologies awards announced

The closing date to enter the best in commercial optical security technologies for the first ‘Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards’ has been announced.

Recognising advancement and technical achievement in technologies such as holography, micro-lens arrays, micro-mirrors, plasmonics, nano-gratings, colour change, caustics, polarisation, photonic crystals, special print-generated effects, or a combination of all of these, the awards are organised by the new global trade body, the International Optical Technologies Association (formerly the International Hologram Manufacturers Association).

Nominations will be accepted up to 8 August, and entries will be judged by a panel of experts in authentication, design and optical security, including the IOTA Board.

The awards will be presented at the annual Optical & Digital Document Security Conference - the highly respected technical conference for physical, digital and virtual document security, which takes place from 15 - 17 September in Warsaw, Poland.

Involving delegates from suppliers, manufacturers, and users from around the world, the awards recognise outstanding achievement and progress, marking those who have been at the forefront of some of the most significant sector developments in recent times.

They reflect innovative or commercially viable optical security products or techniques which have been introduced or launched since September 2023. Any company or individual is eligible to enter the award categories covering:

Best Innovation in Optically Variable Technologies
Best Origination
Best Disruptive Technology
Best Integrated Technology / Best Document Security Application
Best Product Security Application
Best Decorative/Packaging Product

In addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to the individual who has made a special contribution to the industry throughout their career.

Dr Mark Deakes, chair of IOTA, said: “These inaugural awards are a landmark moment for the optical security industry. They recognise not only the best in design and technical excellence, but also the spirit of innovation that drives our sector forward. Optical technologies continue to play a vital role in protecting brands, securing identities, and defending against counterfeiting.

“Through these awards, we aim to celebrate the groundbreaking ideas, commercial impact, and creative applications that are shaping the future of optical security. We encourage entries from across the globe to showcase the strength and diversity of this dynamic industry.”

Those involved in a project can still enter, while others can nominate optical solutions projects for an award if they provide details of the user or producer of the technology. More information at https://iot-association.org/excellence-in-optical-technologies-awards/ while the link to the nomination site itself is https://iota.awardsplatform.com/

The International Optical Technologies Association - www.iot-association.org/ - is made up of the world's leading holography, micro-lens arrays, micro-mirrors, plasmonics, nano-gratings, colour change, caustics, polarisation, photonic crystals, special print-generated effects, or a combination of these manufacturers, suppliers and convertors. These technologies are used in a wide range of banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world. Member companies actively cooperate to maintain the highest professional, security and quality standards.