The International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) has appointed a new general secretary, Micaal Sidorov, pictured. The IHMA is a trade body for producers and converters of holograms for authentication, ID, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications. He brings business development, sales and marketing, market research and intellectual property management experience, after working across the ID document and security printing sectors.
The association is looking at expanding its membership base, to include more non-traditional members coming from outside the security and brand protection industries.
Developing collaborative initiatives with the Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau, which includes expanding the Hologram Image Register to include images for other optically variable devices besides holograms, Secure Identification Union in China and Intergraf, the security printers trade association, will also be priorities. Other plans include a series of workshops, with the first one due in Abu Dhabi this spring.
Chair of the IHMA Dr Paul Dunn, said: “The IHMA board looks forward to working with Micaal to continue to promote the best interests of holography, which is an important and growing sector, across the world. Despite the economic, social and global supply chain challenges, we continue to see strong activity for holography with brand manufacturers and countries bringing forward their anti-counterfeiting plans. Micaal will help the industry to continue to grow and innovate, which remains the mission of the IHMA, as well as supporting the sector meet the challenges it faces.
“In this respect, the implementation of ISO14298 standard for the management of security print and security foil production processes, meeting international image registration requirements and highlighting the benefits of holography against competing products and technologies remain priorities for the IHMA.”
About the association
Founded in 1993, the IHMA has expanded from a dozen initial members to nearly 100 hologram companies, including producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications. Visit www.ihma.org.
