New High-Tech Plastic Film Helps Combat Counterfeit Security Documents Used by Criminal Elements

BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands – August 12, 2008 – Arrests and seizures by international law enforcement agencies of counterfeit passports and other security documents have been raising concerns for some time. These concerns came to a head in June when, according to Asian Times Online (www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JF26Ae01.html), United States and Thai security officials seized thousands of counterfeit and stolen passports from around the world.

Border security and other threats, such as identity theft, are driving the development and use of electronic identity security documents that can resist compromise by incorporating a variety of sophisticated graphic technologies like laser marking. One company on the forefront of these developments is SABIC Innovative Plastics, which has developed three new high-tech plastic films so its global customers can manufacture electronic ID and security documents to combat the rise of counterfeiting.

The new products, launched this spring, are made from polycarbonate plastic and are marketed and sold under the Lexan* SD film brand. They include a laser-markable product; a bright white, opaque material; and a clear grade for the cover or intermediate layers of ID cards. All of these have been developed to help combat counterfeit documents and ensure the integrity of passports, border crossing cards, drivers’ licenses and other identity cards.

* Trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.

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