Tag: International Hologram Manufacturers Association

  • Group Predicts Growth for Holograms in 2023

    Group Predicts Growth for Holograms in 2023

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    Commercial holograms will maintain robust growth in 2023 despite the global challenges, according to the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), which marks its 30th anniversary this year.

    Authentication and track-and-trace systems featuring holograms will continue to help to underpin international efforts by government and law enforcement agencies to bolster overt and covert protection strategies in the next 12 months, said IHMA chair Paul Dunn.

    “Counterfeiting is and will remain a massive global threat, continually placing governments, brands and the public at risk—and will continue to be tackled effectively to minimize the impact on society. Despite the economic, social and global supply chain challenges, we expect to see [growth] in 2023 with countries enhancing and bringing forward their anti-counterfeiting plans, which feature holograms,” he said.

    “These holograms will become even more integrated with other technologies to create intuitive brand engagement programs while, simultaneously, authentication through scanning a QR code on the label acts as a secondary product verification method. This provides a simple unified platform for brands to interact and engage with their customers.”

    Dunn also sees the hologram on labeling continuing to become part of a wider function to track a product throughout its lifecycle and post-life cycle in 2023. This combination of authentication and tracking, he says, will give brand owners complete visibility and control from sourcing raw materials through to recycling.

    This year will also see continued growth in high security print applications as, increasingly, holography origination capabilities are brought in-house. This cuts the innovation cycle and enables printers to get their technologies specified for new banknote work.

    Sustainability will also be one of the key themes of the next 12 months with manufacturers developing strategies to cut their carbon footprints as part of their corporate responsibility strategies. “The IHMA will be leading efforts through its Sustainability Working Group to encourage best practice by sharing information and showcasing companywide initiatives,” Dunn said.

  • Scams Drive Demand for Authentication

    Scams Drive Demand for Authentication

    Photo: Michael Bleyenberg

    New demand for security and authentication devices to tackle the threat of counterfeiting caused by the Covid-10 crisis will strengthen the holography market in 2021, according to a global trade body.

    The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) says authentication and track-and-trace systems, which use holographic technologies, will help to underpin international efforts by government and law enforcement agencies to bolster overt and covert protection strategies in the next 12 months.

    While Asia will continue to offer opportunities for holograms in 2021, the IHMA says countries across North America and Europe will also be ramping up investment in technologies to tackle counterfeiting as Covid-19 rages, offering additional opportunities for hologram sales across these regions.

    Recent media reports about the dangers of buying fake products online indicate that the pandemic will contribute towards the push for more security devices.

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that a growing volume of fake medicines are on sale in developing countries, while Interpol has seen an increase in fake medical products.

    This situation is set to continue in the next 12 months, predicts the IHMA, while growth in packaging authentication devices will stay “strong and lucrative” on the back of forecasts that the market for anti-counterfeit pharmaceuticals and cosmetics packaging will reach more than $10 billion by the end of 2026, growing by almost 9 percent in the next five years despite the current situation.

    The overall global market for anti-counterfeit packaging is projected to be worth more than $188 billion by 2025.

    A poll has revealed that almost 50 percent of hologram manufacturers and suppliers are seeing an increase in demand from customers, specifiers and end-users for holographic devices and technologies. This indicates that hologram users will continue to be concerned about the impact of counterfeiting on e-commerce supply chains as the pandemic continues to be felt well into new year.

    The IHMA advises brand owners and product manufacturers to tackle the threats, stepping up plans for investment in authentication and verification technologies to protect brands, profits and reputations.

    Paul Dunn

    “Criminals are infiltrating global supply channels, deploying scams and counterfeits to trick people during these difficult times,” said IHMA Chair Paul Dunn. “Furthermore, items such as falsified medicines and drugs pose a terrible threat and can endanger lives.

    “It’s clear that in the face of the continued impact of Covid, we can legitimately say brand owners, law enforcement, government and other influencers will continue to push demand for authentication and brand protection devices such as holograms.”

    The use of authentication solutions, as advocated by the ISO12931 standard, enables examiners to verify the authenticity of a legitimate product, differentiating it from fake products coming from counterfeiting hot spots in Asia and eastern Europe. Even those that carry a “fake” authentication feature can be distinguished from the genuine item if that item carries a carefully thought-out authentication solution.