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IOTA Broadens Global Network With New Members and Tools

2 Sep 2026 | Press Release

The International Optical Technologies Association (IOTA) is continuing its global expansion as optical security technologies find increasing applications across identity, currency, security printing and brand protection. With members now representing more than 30 countries, the association has added four new members in 2026 while expanding its member services and international technical engagement.

Expanding the network

The latest members bring expertise across sovereign security printing, digital identity, advanced materials and anti-counterfeiting.
• Uchkun OJSC (Kyrgyzstan): as IOTA’s first member from the Kyrgyz Republic, Uchkun brings sovereign security printing expertise to the association, including the production of banknotes, passports and other high-security documents.
• EMPTECH (China): Shenzhen Emperor Technology, known as Emptech and established in 1995, brings expertise in identity products and digital identity solutions, supported by international R&D and service infrastructure.
• Covestro (Germany): Covestro brings expertise in high-performance polymer films, including Makrofol® ID polycarbonate films for secure documents and Bayfol® HX photopolymer film for security holography. Covestro and EMPTECH have also entered a strategic partnership focused on high-security identity document solutions (see also HOTN July 2026).
• ASY Anti-Forgery Science and Technology (China): part of the ASY Group, the Fujian-based company specialises in anti-counterfeiting technologies, security printing, labels, certificates, packaging and identification systems.

Welcoming the new members, IOTA Chair Dr Mark Deakes said: ‘the variety among our new members reflects IOTA’s expanded technological scope. Each new member brings valuable expertise, strengthening our vision of an inclusive alliance that drives optical security innovation, shares knowledge, and sets global standards in the fight against counterfeiting, fraud, and illicit trade’.

Expanding member value

IOTA is also developing tools and services designed to give members greater access to industry intelligence.

DocCheck, a reference and data intelligence service, provides information on identity documents and banknotes from 220 countries and territories.

The association is also developing its Security Image Register, alongside optical technology news, patent monitoring and global tender alerts.

In June, IOTA launched its Start-Up Membership category, designed to bring early-stage companies and emerging technologies into the optical security ecosystem and connect them with established industry participants. The initiative could become increasingly relevant as optical security expands into areas such as micro- and nano-optics, advanced materials, digital identity and new optical effects.

Strengthening global engagement

IOTA has also maintained an active presence at major international conferences during the first seven months of 2026.

Its activities included discussions on next-generation security features at High Security Printing™ EMEA in Morocco, combating counterfeit pharmaceuticals at ASPA TAF Connect in India, a specialist workshop at the Banknote Conference in Washington, DC, and technical presentations at the Security Document Summit in China.

Looking ahead

IOTA’s international programme will continue through the second half of 2026, with a presentation scheduled for the Silk Road Cash & Payments Conference in Kazakhstan in September, followed by further engagement around Intergraf’s Currency+Identity conference in Copenhagen in October.

Preparations are also underway for the Excellence in Optical Technologies Awards 2027, which will form part of the Optical & Digital Document Security Conference™ in Berlin in January 2027.