Press release submitted on behalf of LEONARD KURZ
Fürth/Germany, April 2, 2025: Each year, counterfeit cigarettes, spirits, and luxury goods cause billions of dollars in tax losses and expose consumers to
serious risks. LEONHARD KURZ addresses these challenges with a cutting-edge tax stamp system that helps prevent counterfeiting, protects tax revenues, and
enhances supply chain transparency. Combining advanced optical and digital security features, the solution sets new benchmarks for tax control and consumer
protection. Authorities and businesses alike benefit from a flexible and tamperproof solution.
The modular system integrates three core security components: Diffractive security elements, printed security labels, and advanced digital authentication
software. These modules are available individually or as a tailor-made complete solution and can also be customized to meet specific customer requirements.
Attendees at the international Tax Stamp & Traceability Forum, which will take place from April 7 to 9 in Cape Town, South Africa, will get an exclusive look at
KURZ’s latest innovations. In their presentation ‘Future-Proofing Tax Stamps: Using Physical Features in Software-Supported Authentication and Data Management,’ Thomas Brücklmeier and Dr. Benno Schmitzer will present the latest developments in future-proof tax stamps.
Diffractive Transfer Carriers Based on KINEGRAM® Technology
At the heart of the system is a diffractive transfer carrier featuring more than 30 selectable security elements. Both the shape and size of these features can be
customized. Thanks to KURZ’s proprietary KINEGRAM® technology, the stamps deliver strong visual authentication and make counterfeiting extremely difficult.
KINEGRAM® has proven its reliability on billions of banknotes worldwide and outperforms standard holograms by offering controlled movement and unique
security effects.
Marking, Coding, or Authenticating with Security Printing
The second core element includes custom-designed security labels, available as wet-glue or self-adhesive options. These labels prevent reuse and can be
enhanced with exclusive ValiGate® technology, which adds a unique security structure directly to the stamp via direct printing. End users can verify the digital
certificate simply by scanning a QR code with their smartphone.
TRUSTCODE®: Digital Authentication and Transparent Supply Chain Security
KURZ also offers TRUSTCODE®, a web-based authentication and information platform. Seamlessly integrated into KINEGRAM® elements, TRUSTCODE®
enables full traceability of tax stamps throughout their entire lifecycle – from issuance and tracking to data analysis. Tax authorities benefit from higher
revenues, businesses protect their brands from counterfeiters, and consumers gain immediate confidence by verifying product authenticity with a simple scan.
By combining these modules, KURZ provides a flexible, highly effective solution that strengthens security and supply chain transparency. As a full-solution
provider, KURZ goes beyond individual components to offer end-to-end support – from system design to long-term operational management.
KURZ: More Than 30 Years of Anti-Counterfeiting Expertise
For more than three decades, KURZ has been safeguarding governments and companies worldwide with innovative security technologies. Its subsidiary, OVD
inegram, is the global leader in high-security documents like passports and driver’s licenses with KINEGRAM® technology. KURZ continuously invests in
R&D and complies with top international quality and security standards (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, Intergraf, ITSA), ensuring the highest levels of trust
and reliability for clients.
About KURZ: LEONHARD KURZ is a world-leading thin-film technology specialist with more than 5,800 employees at more than 50 locations worldwide. KURZ develops and produces decorative and functional layers, including for the printing, packaging, and the plastics industry, for banknotes and ID documents, as well as for the automotive, electronics and medical technology sectors. The company’s comprehensive product portfolio ranges from decorative and smart interactive surface finishes, to design consulting and security concepts for product and brand protection. Together with its subsidiaries, KURZ offers solutions for digital embellishment, cold transfer, hot stamping, related printing and embossing machines, and embossing tools. KURZ is also developing its own recycling programs, is a UN Global Compact participant, and has been repeatedly recognized by EcoVadis for its sustainability activities.