Cooperation with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

SecurityLab Potsdam (IAP)

Following their successful cooperation in the PolySecure sponsored project, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) and Bundesdruckerei have been co-operation partners in the newly established SecurityLab Potsdam since the beginning of 2008. One of the major issues on which the researchers of both companies are working is the question of how polymer-electronic components can be integrated into advanced security documents and innovative production processes.

Dr. Hans-Peter Fink (Fraunhofer IAP) and Ulrich Hamann ( CEO of Bundesdruckerei GmbH)

As one of the key technologies of the 21st century, organic electronics have a central role to play in the development of new security processes related to ID documents. At the same time, the strain limits of materials and processes currently available are delaying the swift implementation of innovative concepts. Concrete requirement profiles from industrial production and the development of new chemical and physical processes for polymeric materials will help to significantly boost the marketability of new products for high-security technology and other sectors of business. Bundesdruckerei, which operates one of the most advanced production lines for security printing products in Berlin, will primarily contribute to SecurityLab Potsdam its production expertise and its experience as one of the leading international suppliers of integrated ID system solutions. Research by the polytronic experts of the Fraunhofer IAP institute primarily focuses on synthesis and polymer technology as well as on the integration of functional polymer systems into electronic and optical applications.

One important aim of the co-operation is to develop reliable new security features (for example, specific pixel structures of flexible OLED displays) for future ID documents via the use of innovative materials which can be subjected to comprehensive analyses and testing for practical suitability at the test bays of the Potsdam future lab.