Teslin^® Sheets Travel into Electronic Passport Market

Reprinted from Chemicals Update, May 2006 With deadlines fast approaching for some 40 nations to switch to electronic passports, PPG’s Teslin synthetic printing sheet is receiving significant international attention as a preferred substrate material for these high-volume, high-security documents. Unlike a traditional passport, an e-passport includes an embedded electronic chip and antenna. The chip stores basic personal information but also can include biometrics, such as iris scans and fingerprints. This information is electronically conveyed via the antenna when the e-passport is placed close to a special reading terminal. “Teslin is an ideal substrate material for e-passports, because it’s tamper-resistant and also tamper-evident—you’ll know if somebody has tried to pull apart the layers,” said Pam Martino, market development manager for Teslin sheet. “The material also helps protect the chip and antenna because of its cushiony texture, and it’s durable enough to withstand the typical 10-year lifespan of a passport.” E-passports represent a significant potential market for Teslin sheet. Each year, an estimated 35 to 50 million passports—10% of all passports in circulation worldwide—are replaced. Demand for U.S. passports is anticipated to increase 28% this year alone due to a 2007 deadline for U.S. citizens to have a passport for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. “We have a strategy in place to grow our Teslin sheet business both organically and through expansion of our product offering,” said Paula Shepard, general manager of Silica Products. “Incorporation of electronics, such as e-passports, is one such initiative for us.” E-passports are already being used by Australia, Belgium, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden. The U.S. has begun issuing e-passports to diplomats and will soon expand this to the public. By October 26, 2006, 27 countries whose citizens currently aren’t required to have a visa to enter the U.S. must begin issuing e-passports. The European Union also has set a requirement for its member countries to begin requiring e-passports.