Infineon Launches SECORA Pay Green: Pioneering Eco-Friendly Payment Card Technology
Infineon’s SECORA Pay Green is not just a technological innovation—it represents a shift toward sustainability in the financial industry.
Infineon Technologies AG is taking significant strides toward reducing plastic waste and CO₂ emissions in the payment card industry with the introduction of SECORA Pay Green. This new solution allows the production of the world’s first fully recyclable dual-interface contactless payment cards made from sustainable materials, marking a major breakthrough in environmentally friendly financial technologies.
Collaborations to Drive Adoption of Green Payment Cards
Infineon has begun collaborating with payment card manufacturers, banks, and payment schemes to initiate pilot programs for SECORA Pay Green. These early efforts aim to demonstrate the potential of eco-friendly cards and pave the way for widespread adoption. Mass production will follow once the initial pilots are successfully executed, accelerating the transition to sustainable payment cards across the industry.
A New Standard for Recyclable Card Design
Conventional contactless payment cards are difficult to recycle because they require embedding a copper wire antenna within multiple material layers, such as inlay foils. However, SECORA Pay Green introduces a revolutionary approach by integrating a Coil-on-Module (eCoM) package. This compact module contains the security controller, software components, and antenna, eliminating the need for copper wiring.
At the end of the card’s lifecycle, the eCoM module can be separated from the card and disposed of as electronic waste, while the card body—whether made from plastic, wood, or paper—can be easily recycled. This innovation significantly simplifies the recycling process and reduces the environmental impact of payment card manufacturing.
Reducing CO₂ Emissions and Resource Consumption
SECORA Pay Green helps cut carbon emissions by over 60% compared to traditional card systems. The new design reduces reliance on copper and streamlines logistics for material sourcing, contributing to lower CO₂ emissions throughout the supply chain. Each batch of 1,000 SECORA Pay Green cards generates 27.10 kg of CO₂e, compared to 90.08 kg of CO₂e for standard card systems.
“We are committed to driving decarbonization and digitalization,” said Thomas Rosteck, Division President Connected Secure Systems at Infineon. “SECORA Pay Green sets a new benchmark for sustainable payment solutions, helping financial institutions offer environmentally friendly products while meeting growing consumer demand for green banking.”
Industry Leaders Embrace SECORA Pay Green
Several industry leaders have praised Infineon’s SECORA Pay Green initiative:
- Mastercard, a long-time advocate of sustainable card production, has expressed support for the innovation. “Infineon’s efforts show the importance of reimagining products to reduce environmental impact,” said Joe Pitcher, Vice President of Mastercard’s Sustainable Card Program. “We encourage vendors to adopt more ambitious sustainability goals, and Infineon’s SECORA Pay Green is an exciting step forward.”
- CPI Card Group, a major card manufacturer, has also integrated the new chip into its product offerings. Toni Thompson, EVP of Credit and Debit Solutions, commented: “The SECORA Pay Green chip helps us expand our eco-friendly portfolio, delivering both convenience and sustainability to our clients.”
- Perfect Plastic Printing has similarly lauded the innovation. Mike Sabatini, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, noted: “Our collaboration with Infineon has enabled us to reduce environmental impact and adopt renewable materials in card production. SECORA Pay Green will allow us to deliver secure and innovative cards with lower carbon emissions.”
Ease of Implementation and Consumer Benefits
SECORA Pay Green is designed to seamlessly integrate into existing dual-interface card production facilities, minimizing the need for complex adjustments and speeding up adoption. The eCoM module is also optimized to work with smartphone antennas, providing users with reliable tap-to-mobile functionality for convenient, contactless payments.
This innovative solution supports various sustainable materials, including:
- Recycled PVC (rPVC)
- Recycled PETG (rPETG)
- PLA (a biodegradable plastic)
- Ocean-bound plastic
- Wood and paper
As consumers increasingly gravitate toward eco-friendly products, financial institutions have a unique opportunity to enhance brand loyalty by offering sustainable payment cards. Regulatory pressures are also intensifying, with growing expectations for environmentally responsible practices in the financial sector. Research predicts that by 2028, global shipments of rPVC-based cards will reach 1.2 billion units, compared to just 226 million cards in 2022 (Source: ABI Research, 2023).
Conclusion: Shaping a Greener Future for the Payment Industry
Infineon’s SECORA Pay Green is not just a technological innovation—it represents a shift toward sustainability in the financial industry. By reducing CO₂ emissions, enabling easy recycling, and integrating eco-friendly materials, SECORA Pay Green empowers financial institutions and card manufacturers to make a positive environmental impact.
As the demand for sustainable solutions continues to rise, Infineon’s SECORA Pay Green offers a plug-and-play solution that combines performance, convenience, and environmental responsibility—setting the stage for a greener future in the payment industry.
To learn more, visit www.infineon.com/secorapaygreen.
