Plastic cards usually serve as identity documents, thus providing authentication. In combination with other assets that complement the data stored on the card, like PIN numbers, they also serve authorization purposes, most often as bank cards for allowing their holders to do financial transactions. While early and simpler cards feature only hard-to-imitate integrated photographs, security holograms, guillochés, or a magnetic strip on which few bytes of personal data could be stored, smart cards, i.e. those equipped with an electronic chip (storage, or RFID), nowadays serve as high-security active electronic documents that allow their holder to qualify for driving cars (drivers license card), receive medical treatment (health insurance cards), do banking and more.

Industry

In their January 2020 report, the International Card Manufacturers Association's (ICMA) indicates a production increase to a record-high of 37.1 billion cards and $27 billion revenue in 2019.^[1] Forecasts predicted market growth at a rate of 8.2% from 2021 to 2028, which was counteracted by losses through the Covid pandemic.^{[2] [3]}

Production

Plastic cards (standard size ID-1) come in various colors and finishings.^[4] The laminated mixture of various dyes, paper and plastics (so far mainly PVC and PVCA) and the integration with electronics makes them hard to recycle.^[5][6]

Classification

^[2]

Non-electronic security features

Plastic cards may be printed with the following security-relevant features, some of them also containing personal information, others only serving as anti-forgery devices:^[10][11]

• QR code and / or barcode
• photograph
• signature
• security hologram
• microprinting
• guilloché patterns (similar to bank notes)

See also

• Electronic banking
• Plastic recycling
• Plastic compounding

References