ePassport

World's first purpose-built 'ePassport' factory opens in Malta, from Earth Times:

Malta became Wednesday the site of the world's first purpose-built research and production facility for the ePassport, or biometric passport, which is increasingly required by countries for security reasons. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officiated at the inauguration of the six million euro (7.7 million dollar) plant built by the British- based De La Rue company, adjacent to the large banknote printing facility it already operates on the small Mediterranean island.

The new 2,600 square metre building will print and assemble machine-readable and biometric passports. It is expected to produce two million ePassports annually and could double that if required.

ePassports have a microchip embedded - containing the digitised facial image and personal details of the passport holder - which enables authorities to authenticate the identity of travellers.