Commercial Hologram Growth to Continue in 2023: IHMA Report

According to the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, commercial holography is set to experience strong growth in 2023 despite facing global challenges.

The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) is a non-profit organization comprising over 70 leading hologram manufacturing companies from around the world.

According to Paul Dunne, the president of IHMA, a verification and tracking system featuring holographic images will continue to support international efforts in strengthening both public and private protection strategies over the next twelve months. This system will aid governments and law enforcement agencies.

The act of counterfeiting remains a significant global threat both presently and in the future, constantly exposing governments, brands, and the public to potential risks. However, efforts to effectively curb this issue will continue, with the aim of reducing its impact on society as much as possible, despite facing economic, social, and global supply chain challenges. It is expected that growth will be seen by 2023, as countries strengthen and advance their holographic anti-counterfeiting programs.

These holographic images will be further integrated with other technologies to create an intuitive brand engagement plan. In addition, scanning the QR code on the label serves as a secondary method for product verification. This provides a simple and unified platform for brands to interact and engage with their customers.

Dun En believes that by 2023, holographic images on electronic cigarette labels will continue to be part of a wider range of product lifecycle tracking functions. He says that combining certification and tracking will give brand owners complete visibility and control over everything from sourcing raw materials to recycling.

This year, as more and more holographic capabilities are being introduced internally, high-security printing applications will continue to grow. This shortens the innovation cycle, allowing printers to specify their technology for new tasks such as electronic cigarettes, banknotes, product labels, and more.

Sustainability will also be one of the key themes for the next 12 months, as manufacturers develop strategies to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their corporate responsibility strategy. According to Dunne, "IHMA will lead efforts through its sustainability working group, encouraging best practices by sharing information and showcasing initiatives throughout the entire company.