New members for optical technologies trade body

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) has a raft of new members.

Welcoming the new members, chair of IOTA, Dr. Mark Deakes, said: “We thank all of them for enhancing IOTA’s growing momentum and role as a global hub for technical excellence in optical security. Each new member brings valuable expertise, strengthening our vision of an inclusive alliance that drives innovation, shares knowledge, and sets global standards in the fight against counterfeiting, fraud, and illicit trade.”

New members include NanoSilikhan Advanced Materials (formerly NANOBRICK), based in South Korea, which specializes in developing and manufacturing nano materials, including magnetically and electrically color-changeable photonic crystal materials, for applications in security, biotechnology, functional materials, and display technologies.

Lithuania-based Satoris, UAB, which specialises in security printing of ID documents, cards and driving licenses, join IOTA, alongside current members producing optical security features and products for a broad range of document protection, brand protection and anti-piracy applications.

Also onboard is Switzerland’s SICPA, a globally recognised authority in optically variable inks (OVIs) and traceability; and Vietnam’s Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer, which is an emerging player in polymer banknote substrates.

UK-based XRD Nano (UK) brings its specialism in UV replication technologies with a strong focus on nano- and micro-structured features to IOTA, while TOPITCAL, based in Hong Kong and engaged in the development, design, and production of material, technologies and products in optical security overlays and security labels, completes the current round of new members, who will contribute their expertise and intellectual property to strengthening the optical security technologies international ecosystem.

Revitalised in 2024, IOTA membership embraces all developers and suppliers of security features based on technologies that in addition to holography, include micro-lens arrays, micro-mirrors, plasmonics, nano-gratings, colour change, caustics, polarisation, photonic crystals, special print-generated effects, or a combination of these.

The current indications are that brand protection, track and trace and other anti-counterfeiting technologies will continue to increase as economies wrestle with international challenges and the global trade in fake goods, which has reached USD 467 billion according to the OECD-EUIPO, posing risks to consumer safety and compromising intellectual property.

Dr Mark Deakes, said further: “We look forward to all the new members’ active involvement as we promote optical technologies and expand the scope of IOTA’s work across a wide range of commercial activities.”