The Austrian State Printing Company (OSD) celebrated its 222nd anniversary with a ceremony on September 29. Founded by Austrian Emperor Franz I in 1804 as the “Imperial Printing Office,” the company looks back on an extraordinary success story. With its transformation into a globally active high-tech company specializing in secure physical and digital identity, the Austrian State Printing Company has opened a new chapter in its success story in recent years. “Security is always our top priority—whether in the physical or digital world. We consistently offer our customers the highest quality standards and set the international pace for digital identity solutions,” said OSD Director General Helmut Lackner.

Austrian Minister of the Interior Karner: A secure identity system leaves no room for error

Austrian Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner emphasized that the protection and secure verification of personal identity are among the core responsibilities of every democratic state. According to Karner, when it comes to secure identity, there must be no room for error—neither in the analog nor in the digital realm. For this reason, the state sets the highest quality standards for identity documents and proof of identity, standards that are consistently and reliably met by the Austrian State Printing Company. In this context, the Minister of the Interior praised the new generation of passports, whose quantum-secure QR code can be easily verified by using a free verification app.

Austrian Minister of Innovation Hanke: Becoming a “hidden champion” through continuous innovation

At the ceremony, Austrian Minister of Innovation Peter Hanke explained that the Austrian State Printing Company had evolved into a “hidden champion” that stands in a special way for innovation “made in Austria” and Austrian expertise. “Even in a highly competitive global industry with major players, the Austrian State Printing Company demonstrates what is possible through continuous innovation and targeted development of the region,” said Hanke.

Secure Identity as the Foundation for Democracy, the Rule of Law, and the Business Environment

Especially in light of growing international uncertainties and developments in the field of artificial intelligence, secure identity is becoming increasingly important for nations, companies, and individuals. “Our highly secure products and identity solutions build trust and provide security even in the digital world. This strengthens democracy, the rule of law, and Austria as a business location,” said Lackner. The connection between secure identity, a stable democracy, and a successful business location was also highlighted during the ceremony, which was attended by members of the federal government partners, experts, and district administrators from across Austria.

Investments in Internationally Acclaimed Innovations

Key pillars of OSD’s success include a highly qualified workforce, strong innovative capabilities, and significant investments. The company’s own innovations and patents, as well as its leading role in international expert committees (e.g., ICAO and ISO), underscore its leadership in innovation. Its digital subsidiary, “youniqx Identity AG,” is an internationally renown developer of digital identities and launched the world’s first digital identity app as early as 2015. With the Austrian “eAusweise” app—which includes a digital driver’s license and digital vehicle registration certificate in Austria—the “eID.li” in Liechtenstein, and the digital infrastructure of the German EUDI Wallet, the company is setting new standards for secure digital identity.

The Austrian State Printing Company’s strong innovative capacity is also backed by significant investments. Over the past ten years, OSD has invested approximately 30 million Euros in its transformation into a high-security company specializing in physical and digital identity. OSD Director General Lackner: “In the next two years alone, we will invest an additional 10 million Euros to continue living up to our ‘best-in-class’ standard. We remain at the forefront of technology so that our customers can continue to rely with confidence on ‘made in Austria’ solutions for their identity needs in the future.”

Austria’s “Red-White-Red” Safety Culture Is Being Successfully Exported

For the Austrian State Printing Company, safety is not just a matter of technology, but also a cultural topic that encompasses all areas of the company, which employs approximately 250 people in Vienna. A highly secure production and personalization environment in specially shielded security areas, combined with consistently high quality standards—including a “zero-error” policy—ensures that sensitive personal data is protected to the greatest extent possible. Production takes place exclusively in Austria. Austrians’ personal data never leaves the country at any stage of production.“No passport travels abroad without its owner,” emphasizes OSD Director General Lackner.

The high-security products “made in Austria” are highly regarded worldwide: The company supplies customers on five continents around the globe. In addition to physical passport production and secure personalization infrastructure, customized ID systems represent an important international growth market. The export share has doubled over the past eight years to about 25% of revenue. OSD Director General Lackner: “On September 29, we celebrated not only 222 years of extraordinary history, but also the future of secure physical and digital identity.”

Fact Box: Austrian State Printing Office (OSD)

• Founded: 1804by decree of Emperor Franz I
• Employees at the location: Morethan 250 employees
• Core business: High-securityproduction and personalization of analog ID cards, as well as customized software solutions for digital identities
• International Demand:Customers on five continents worldwide
• Value creation: Over the past 10 years, approximately 30 million Euros have been invested in the Vienna facility and its machinery. Another 10 million will follow in the next 2 years alone
• Export share: Exports account for nearly a quarter of revenue (23.2%). The export share has more than doubled over the past 8 years