Hueck Folien acquires WaveFront Technology in strategic security expansion

USA – Hueck Folien has acquired US-based WaveFront Technology in a move that significantly expands its origination capabilities for advanced security films, while establishing a dedicated development and production site in Los Angeles.

The acquisition adds optical-grade micro and nanostructure origination expertise to Hueck Folien’s portfolio, strengthening its ability to design and industrialize next-generation security features for banknotes and high-security documents.

WaveFront Technology brings more than 30 years of experience in developing and manufacturing optical microstructures, a critical component in modern authentication solutions where increasing counterfeit sophistication is pushing suppliers toward more complex, harder-to-replicate effects.

WaveFront’s site in Paramount, California employs around 30 people and will operate as a fully integrated development and production hub within the Hueck Folien Group.

The expansion enables Hueck Folien to deepen R&D capacity and speed up development cycles by bringing key origination technologies in-house, an increasingly strategic advantage as security printing customers demand shorter innovation timelines and higher feature complexity.

“We have long envisioned partnering with a global leader in the banknote and security document industry,” said Chris Rich, CTO of WaveFront Technology.

“We believe Hueck Folien embodies the ideal combination of market leadership, technical depth and collaborative culture to elevate the considerable technology WaveFront Technology has developed over the past 30 years.”

Hueck Folien said the acquisition supports its long-term strategy to internalize future technologies and strengthen independence in a segment where intellectual property, process know-how and production control are essential competitive assets.

“The expertise and IP portfolio of security features of our new colleagues in Los Angeles is vital for the further development of Hueck Folien,” said Christoph Steger, CEO of Hueck Folien.

The company added that it will continue collaborating with partners and origination manufacturers worldwide, signaling that the integration is designed to complement, rather than replace, its existing innovation ecosystem.

Hueck Folien currently supplies security features for roughly one-third of the world’s currencies, including the Euro and Swiss franc, placing the company among the most influential technology providers in the banknote security supply chain.

With WaveFront’s origination capabilities, Hueck Folien is also positioned to broaden its reach beyond currency and government documents into adjacent markets such as luxury packaging, trading cards, lighting, and other special optical applications where visual effects and brand protection are becoming increasingly intertwined.

To ensure continuity and preserve technical expertise, WaveFront founders Chris Rich and Joel Petersen will remain with the business, while Hueck Folien will support the integration with regular on-site engagement from its headquarters in Baumgartenberg, Austria.

The move follows Hueck Folien’s recent technology investments, including the commissioning of a high-vacuum metallization facility at Baumgartenberg in November 2025, reinforcing the company’s focus on advanced, scalable manufacturing for security and functional films.

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