The authors of the third edition of Tax Stamps & Traceability: A Market Analysis and Technical Update (TSR 3), published by Reconnaissance International in 2020, estimated that there were then ‘about 80 prime contractors for tax stamp programmes around the world’, of which 50 were commercial organisations and 30 state-owned enterprises. Those state-owned entities mainly supplied their own country’s tax stamp requirements, but many were also operating commercially on the open market, albeit primarily supplying regional neighbours.

Oman has announced changes to the implementation timeframe and scope for extending its tax stamp and digital traceability programme to excisable drinks.

The global security print landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, and, in its wake, there are two extremes of skills shortage.

Following a competitive tender, Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts (SKSC) has been awarded a contract by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners – the Irish government agency responsible for customs and excise – to supply tobacco tax stamps, in the wake of tax increases introduced in 2024 and 2025.

India’s government banknote printer, the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) has reported a 29% growth in its tax stamp division.

The Malaysian newspaper printer Ultimate Print has entered into a deal with Türkiye’s state printer, Darphane, to establish a high-security printing hub in Malaysia.

Following De La Rue’s announcement, a few months ago, that it was in discussions with several parties interested in acquiring one or both of its businesses – Authentication and Currency – the company has now entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of its Authentication division to Crane NXT, for £300 million.

UAE-based E7 Group, a provider of commercial printing, security solutions, sustainable packaging, and logistics services, has announced a significant AED 182 million (approximately $50 million) investment in its security solutions division, E7 Security.

Texas-based security solutions provider Authentix has acquired the authentication business assets of Meta Materials – namely, Nanotech Security Corporation (NSC) – for $10 million, excluding assets such as cash and real estate.

De La Rue has announced its full year results for the period ending 30 March 2024, with its Authentication division (including tax stamp programmes) achieving record sales of £103.2 million. This figure surpasses the division’s £100 million target, and represents a 12.5% increase over 2023. The results are, however, overshadowed by a £235 million loan that becomes payable next July.