Molecular Gate
Multifunctional Anti-Counterfeit SolutionsTransformative Anti-Counterfeiting Technology
Molecular Gate SL is advancing a novel Polargram™ labelling technology based on printed polarisation contrast in ultrathin films of plastic ‘molecular electronic’ materials. No ultraviolet lamps, scanners or other specialised verification tools are required, thereby qualifying the technology as Level 1 or, by interfacing with ubiquitous hardware such as smartphones, a hybrid Level 1.5.
OUR SOLUTIONS
Polargram™ labelling technology is based around
Our patent-protected materials micro-processing technology
its proprietary trade-secret-protected adaptation to digital printing fabrication
end-user-centred verification concepts.
See-through Polargram™
Reflective Polargram™
Molecular Gate Level 1 anti-counterfeit technology offers the following added-value aspects with respect to state-of-the-art solutions
High security due to the use of cutting-edge materials and fabrication concepts.
Rapid verification with the naked eye or common LCD screens.
Versatile verification scenarios including see-through and reflected-light modes.
Flexibility of security image selection, including smartphone-scannable QR codes.
Low cost deriving from the underpinning thin-film technology (thickness » 100 nm) and correspondingly low required quantities of molecular electronic materials.
Printing-based fabrication aligned with digital drop-on-demand printing processes used in the packaging industry, therefore minimising the upscaling costs and time-to-market.
Intuitive and engaging consumer experience via the vivid colour-shifting optical effects resembling a classical hologram, thereby requiring minimal consumer re-education.
Complementing product aesthetics by harnessing a wide variety of available Polargram colours to harmonise the security features with the overall packaging design and enhance on-shelf presence.
See-through Polargram™ security elements
Our see-through Polargram™ security elements are printed on transparent substrates such as the plastic films commonly used for primary and secondary packaging or as carton overwrap. They appear virtually featureless to the naked eye but reveal hidden colour-shifting patterns when viewed against any LCD screen: smartphone, computer, tablet and many others
Current smartphone penetration rates exceed 80% and 30% of the population for developed and low-income countries respectively―with even higher numbers for personal computers―ensuring full compliance with Level 1 authentication.
Reflective Polargram™ security elements
Our reflective Polargram™ security elements are typically printed on aluminium foils that are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical packaging and are currently being adapted to carton. They appear virtually featureless under diffuse ambient light but reveal hidden colour-shifting patterns when tilted under any direct light source such as sky- or sunlight, ceiling lights, desk-lamp or smartphone flash
Sectors
Our anti-counterfeiting technology can be used in various business sectors, especially in high security sectors or with luxury products. The most frequent are
Official documents and Currency
Pharmacy
Fashion
Cosmetics
Perfume
Addressing Market Challenges
To capitalise on the market potential and increasing prominence of counterfeiting due to the growth of online retail, several technical challenges need to be addressed.
The first is the optimisation of Molecular Gate security inks and printing processes to closely align them with the typical configurations and high throughputs used in the packaging industry.
Second, long-term abrasion resistance of anticounterfeit tags needs to be enhanced by the use of cross-linking additives or lacquer-based encapsulation.
Finally, introducing additional functionalities, such as temperature-dependent optical response for cold-chain monitoring, will ensure that Molecular Gate technology represents a uniquely multifunctional ‘smart-label’ solution for a maximally broad range of applications.