As part of its corporate venture capital activities, Covestro has invested French tech start-up Crime Science Technology (CST) to strengthen its business with special films for ID documents, and gain access to the Optical Variable Material (OVM) technology for polycarbonates and polyurethanes.
Covestro
Covestro gains shares in Crime Science Technology
Covestro and CST are looking forward to further co-operation in the production of even safer identity documents
This innovative technology developed by CST enables new security features and makes identification documents even safer than before.
CST was founded in 2010. The transaction is one of the first projects of Covestro´s strategy to invest in start-upsDr Thorsten Dreier, Global Head of the Specialty Films business at Covestro, said: “With this step, we are strengthening our position as an innovation driver in special films for ID documents. With the new partnership and the introduction of Makrofol ID OVM films, we are creating a new degree of security.”
Covestro has many years of experience in the development and production of films for identification documents.
CST Founder Cosimo Prete added: “We value Covestro as a very innovative partner in the development of film solutions for the production of identification documents and look forward to working together in this growing market.”
Covestro and CST have been working together in this field since 2016. Last year, Covestro introduced the transparent Makrofol ID OVM film to the industry. The OVM material technology creates a completely new colour change effect, which is a very strong level 1 security feature.
The new film can be integrated into existing card manufacturing processes without further modifications.