The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) has a new name – the International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA). The change is part of the industry body’s strategic plan to broaden its scope to better serve evolving markets and new technology frontiers, particularly in optical security.

In a management earnout of up to 100%, Currency Research’s CEO and President Jens Seidl and Vice President Shaun Ferrari will become majority shareholders of the company. The founder, and current sole shareholder, Richard Haycock will sell all his shares and resign from the Chairman position, effective 1 January 2025.

Not content with being a leader in banknote substrates, features and print, Crane NXT is certainly gunning for the brand protection market, having acquired three companies in this area since the start of the year.

Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd recently released its 2023/24 Annual Report, registering a rise in production, but a small drop to Rs 47.14 billion (US$555 million). Costs were up 7.7% to Rs 36.95 billion.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the deadline for responses to its Expression of Interest (EOI) for services related to the modernisation of India’s currency management infrastructure 4 December 2024.

De La Rue has announced that it will sell its Authentication Division to Crane NXT for a cash consideration representing an enterprise value of £300 million.

China Banknote Printing and Minting has been implementing a series of clean production and carbon reduction measures in the production of raw materials such as paper, thread, and ink, in order to make the production of the renminbi and other currencies more environmentally friendly.

New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has cleared the way for Evergreen NZ Holdings to acquire 100% of the shares of ACM New Zealand. Evergreen already owns Armourguard, the country’s dominant supplier of CIT and related service, and the acquisition of ACM from its parent Linfox Armaguard will create a monopoly.

In last month’s issue of Currency News, we provided details of Oberthur Fiduciaire’s new house note series, on the theme of the Art of Butterflies, comprising five different designs and five different security threads printed on one sheet.

In this new periodic feature for Currency News™ we report on the latest tenders and contract awards for banknotes, coins and related services.