Bayer receives ICMA Élan Award for Superlaser film

Manufacturers of security cards have been asking for it for some time now: a high-performance film that saves time and money while also reducing the risk of laser-induced bubbling. Makrofol® ID Superlaser from Bayer MaterialScience is a film with exactly these properties, for which the company was recently honored with the coveted ICMA Élan Award. ICMA stands for the International Card Manufacturers Association.

The new polycarbonate film offers clear advantages to manufacturers and issuers of security and identity documents. For example, it enables cards to be personalized with a laser much faster than with conventional laser engraving. Contrast and image quality remain at a high level. Cards utilizing Makrofol® ID Superlaser films can be personalized about 20 percent faster than other cards with comparable construction and contrast levels, which saves considerable time and money.

The new film also significantly reduces the risk of laser-induced bubbling. This, in turn, reduces quality defects and increases productivity. Certain types of designs, in particular those with high ink coverage, have proven particularly prone to bubbling. Card manufacturers have to carefully plan the design of the cards to avoid such defects. This often requires them to make compromises with respect to performance or price. Makrofol® ID Superlaser film allows card manufacturers greater design flexibility in both printing and the choice of printed features, as well as in layer configuration.

In addition, the film includes a forensic security feature. This covert feature assists law enforcement with establishing the validity of a document. Each year, an independent jury honors the best and most innovative developments in security and identity documents with the ICMA Élan Awards. Prizes are awarded in twelve categories. Bayer MaterialScience received the 2013 Élan Best Supplier/Vendor New Product, Service or Innovation Award for its Makrofol® ID Superlaser film. The company will be presenting this development at two international trade events this year: the "Cartes" fair in Paris from November 19 - 21, and the "Intergraf" conference in Vienna from December 4 - 6.

With 2012 sales of EUR 11.5 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world’s largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2012, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,500 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company.

Source: Bayer