Koenig & Bauer Vision & Protection, a leader in inspection and security technologies for the printing industry, has announced a strategic collaboration with Bosch Secure Authentication GmbH, a newly established subsidiary of the Bosch Group. The partnership is designed to strengthen brand protection and traceability for printed products by integrating Bosch’s advanced authentication technology directly into Koenig & Bauer printing systems. This cooperation represents a significant step forward in combating counterfeiting, a growing global challenge that poses significant financial, safety, and reputational risks for manufacturers and consumers alike.

Bosch Secure Authentication, founded in 2025, builds on years of research into digital authentication and traceability technologies initially developed for Bosch’s own production lines. Its Origify software converts the unique microstructures of each individual product into a digital identity, allowing for precise verification without the need for physical security marks. Building on this foundation, Bosch developed Ovjera, a software system specifically optimized for the printing industry. Ovjera captures subtle micropatterns and material variations in printed products, assigning a distinct digital fingerprint to each item — much like a biometric identity.

For Koenig & Bauer, integrating Ovjera directly into printing presses allows every printed product to be uniquely identified without adding visible markings or disrupting production speed. Once captured, the “entropy essence” of each item’s surface is stored in a secure database. Authenticity can later be verified by comparing a simple smartphone photo of the item with its reference record in the system. This capability enables both internal counterfeit detection and customer-facing verification through approved mobile apps.

“With Ovjera, we are integrating a technology that lays the foundation for the next generation of brand protection,” said Marc Hunsänger, Director of Protection Technologies at Koenig & Bauer Vision & Protection. “Our customers receive a future-proof tool for embedding the digital, counterfeit-proof identity of their products directly in the printing process,  without any additional materials. This approach increases security while reducing the risks linked to artificially created security features.”

Julian Schubert, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Vision & Protection, emphasized the strategic importance of the cooperation: “By integrating cutting-edge technology into our printing presses, we are strengthening our position as a leading provider of security solutions and offering customers and brand owners added value in protecting their products.”