The technique employed to make three-dimensional images is known as holography. Holograms have a unique feature, known as "parallax" , according to which a viewer observes the virtual object from different perspectives in full three-dimensional. Holograms also have the advantages of providing security, brand protection and enhancement and preventing fraudulent practices. There is no way to duplicate a hologram and hence it has been widely demanded in every sectors of the economy today.

The Hologram Industry

The hologram industry is a growing one. The Indian hologram industry started in 1992. Worldwide hologram products began to enter the marketplace in the mid-1980s. Since then holographic industry has experienced an impressive growth. There are many companies who have experienced growth rates more than 30% a year, in the last few years. According to an estimate, there are about 300 companies worldwide making up this sector of holograph. The market comprises large international, national, and regional companies and even individuals.

Worldwide Surface Relief Hologram Industry

This holography industry comprises the key market sectors of brand protection, packaging, security print, retail and promotion and illustration, as well as equipment sales and installations related to these. As per a report of global industry overview by Reconnaissance International, the publisher of Holography News, the surface relief industry was valued at approximately $ 1.39 billion in 2002. Since 1996, the holography industry has seen an annual growth rate between 25 and 35%. According to the same report, hologram sales of divisions of privately owned companies had average sales of $19.5 million and larger public companies had sales of $17 million annually.

World Holographic Market

The holography market, worldwide is divided into three main sectors:

• Security
• Promotion and
• Packaging

According to an estimate, the total sales of hologram and holographic products used for security, promotional, packaging applications, grew at a compound annual rate of 31.7% per year from $90 million in 1990 to $617 million in 1997. During the period from 1998 to 2002, there was a compound annual rate of approximately 25% and the sales reached $1.9 billion by the year 2002. It was estimated in 2003 that commercial display holograms was approximately $791.2 million industry. Pricing in the holography market is based on performance, quality and control.

• Security sector: In 1997, the total sales in the security sector was approximately $380 million. The security sector of the holography market grew at a compound annual rate of over 20% over the five year period from 1998 through 2002. This sector of the holography market comprising credit and other transaction cards, product authentication and documents of value, represented approximately 62% of overall industry sales. According to the Nilson Report, in the US, electronic payments via credit, debit, benefits transfer and prepaid cash cards increased from approximately 15% of all consumer purchases in 1990 to approximately 40% in 2005.
  
  
• Promotion sector: The promotion sector of the hologram and holographic market accounted for approximately 17% of overall industry sales in 1997. This sector grew at a compound annual rate of 7% over the period 1998-2002.
  
  
• Packaging sector: In 1997, the sales in the packaging sector of the holographic market represented approximately 21% of overall industry sales. The packaging sector grew at a compound annual rate of over 42% over the period 1998-2002.

Industrial Market Share for Holography (1998)

Industrial Market Share for Holography (1998)	$ Million	%
Scanning	1000	60
Holographic Data	25	2
Holographic CAD, TV, and other uses	55	3
Testing	455	29
Holographic Optical Elements	100	6

Value of Commercial Holography (Million $)

1993	1997	1998	1999	2003	AAGR %
201	402	491	579	791.2	18.5