Brite iD introduces new passport inlays

Brite iD, based in Stratford Upon Avon, UK, has introduced its revolutionary iLam process for the production of inlays containing RFID chips and antennas for use in the new electronic passports which are being introduced worldwide. The iLam inlays can be used in any of the three positions for the chips allowable under ICAO regulations – cover, data page or between the centre pages.

The key difference between iLam and the many other systems on the market is the method of encasing and protecting the chip against damage and tampering. The chip and antenna are embedded in a Polyester based elastomer core which is sealed under heat and pressure to two outside layers without adhesive. This process has been proven not to cause any damage to the embedded chip. The core is more flexible and less brittle than polycarbonate and offers better protection to the chip than paper or thin plastic based inlays. As the bonding uses no adhesive, it is not possible to freeze or heat the inlay to remove the outside layers and access the chip without irreparable damage.

For e-passports with a chip incorporated into the cover page, one face of the iLam structure is the existing cover material, which provides a more secure construction than a glued-in inlay. It is not possible to remove and replace the RFID chip without destroying the cover material or antenna. As an additional security feature, the outside cover can be 3D embossed to give a unique tactile verification of the passport which would be extremely difficult for a counterfeiter to simulate. A further benefit of the iLam inlay is that it can be used in a standard passport production line without any modification, whereas many other systems require the costly installation of an additional lamination station to glue the inlay to the cover material.

For e-passports with the chip in the data page, the outside layers of the iLam structure can be printed security paper or laser engraveable polycarbonate. If security paper is used, it is extended to form a hinge for sewing into the passport book in the normal way. All the security features of the paper remain visible after lamination. Alternatively, the flexible core material in a polycarbonate faced laminate is extended to form the hinge, avoiding the problems of PC hinges or the need to attach additional hinge material. The data page can then be personalised by ink jet or laser engraving as appropriate and an overlay applied. One or both sides of the data page inlay can be 3D embossed as described above.

The iLam process is well proven, having been used for several years for the manufacture of non-security printed products in a facility in the North of England. Brite iD was established to make available the technology to the security printing industry, initially for the production of electronic passports, but eventually for the production of electronic ID and other smart cards.

For further information, contact:

Paul Bagnall, Managing Director Brite iD Ltd Unit 5, Church Green Atherstone-on-Stour Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 8NE United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1789 459105 Fax: +44 1789 450411 Email: pbagnall@brite-id.com