PR: New banknote holograms win international security awards

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 Russian-based KRYPTEN Research and Production Company, and SURYS of France.

3D-GRAM CONTRUST – a photopolymer holographic patch with a striking and unambiguous colour change when rotated at 180° - scooped first place for KRYPTEN in the ‘Innovation in Holographic Technology’ category. The feature be applied to both paper and polymer-based banknotes as well as ID documents, with the clear colours and contrast designed to enhance security.

Gold Fish from SURYS’s represents the first application of its Plasmogram Reverso technology on a window in a polymer banknote. The feature, which is based on plasmonic sciences and nano-technologies, won the ‘Best Origination’ award. It offers a range of different optical effects as well as different colours when viewed from the front and reverse of the note, and in transmission, and 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: “The awards reflect year-on-year advancement and achievement in the design, development and technology of commercial holograms, which continue to find new and innovative ways to add value and appeal to products used and enjoyed by billions of people all over the world.”

The IHMA is made up of 80 of the world's leading hologram companies. Members include the leading producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world, and actively cooperate to maintain the highest professional, security and quality standards.

Louisenthal’s RollingStar LEAD Mix foil strip for the Bank of Azerbaijan’s new 50 Manat note

Many outstanding security features have been carefully integrated into the 50 Manat. Perhaps the most pronounced feature is the entire RollingStar® LEAD “Mix” version foil strip to the right of the front. It carries a massive number of dynamic and attractive security features. At top, a metallic surface relief motif “flip” effect created with micromirrors, alternating between denomination 50 and the Manat symbol. Immediately below is colour shifting motif with micromirror animation which shows the arch of an educational institution with animated relief structures and a depth background inside the arch. Underneath, stairs in holographic and micromirror spectrum display featuring the Banks “AMB” signage and the denomination number.

At the bottom of the foil is an eye-catching animated walking university student which can be seen on the frontside. By tilting the note, the “walking student” shows very impressively the movements of a walking person. It is one of the most attractive and referenced banknotes issued in recent years. After intensive research and development, we have succeeded in reaching a new level in micromirror technology. The innovative multi-facet substructure with an even more sophisticated way of aligning and shaping the micromirrors allows for an attractive and realistic look. The proven combination of design, dynamics and colour shift creates strong aesthetic appeal. It raises security to a higher level.