German specialty chemicals company Covestro AG is to unveil an integrated passport concept, featuring a new concept for clear window technology and a new generation of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) for passport hinges.
The new concept will be displayed during the Trustech show, held Nov. 27-29 in Cannes, France.
The Leverkusen-based chemicals company will present a new concept for clear window technology, which offers additional security features against counterfeiting attempts, during the show.
For the manufacture of ID cards, it is essential that the card construction has a flat surface without irregularities.
Covestro says it has developed a very thin film “with extremely high opacity,” which can be particularly suitable for the seamless integration of clear window applications.
The new film enables a new production method which does not require filling a punched window inside a polycarbonate card or passport data page with additional material.
During the lamination process, the transparent layers merge and the thin hole is filled without any irregularities on the document's surface.
This construction offers more space for transparent layers and for the integration of additional security features.
Additionally, Covestro is introducing a new generation of multi-layer TPU composites for the interior design of passports.
Based on the concept, the data page of the passport is laminated onto a thin fold that is integrated into the passport for a secure fit.
According to Covestro, the production process is very efficient, and the bond is durable, therefore allowing the passport to be opened and closed as often as required without the flexibility suffering or the fold tearing.
The fold consists of a new Platilon ID multi-layer film composite TPU, which offers a further 35 percent increase in tear resistance compared to the standard product Platilon ID 9122.
The layers in the film composite have lower layer thicknesses compared to individual films, and therefore allow greater design freedom, especially for the thinner data page. As a result, the integration of safety features is simplified and the lower layer thickness saves costs.
Multi-layer Platilon ID can also be “excellently bonded” with polycarbonate and ensures that data pages cannot be delaminated without destroying the passport completely.
Additionally, Covestro has developed Makrofol ID superlaser polycarbonate film for, particularly, forgery-proof security cards.
The composite of three layers is extremely sensitive to laser radiation. Laser engraving therefore requires less energy than conventional laser-sensitive films and saves at least 20%.