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Star product
Arjowiggins PowerCoat Alive NFC

Smart Card Insert

A recyclable alternative to potentially wasteful plastic smart cards, Simon Eccles
process, unlike plastic cards which are
etched with aluminium circuits in a process
that typically generates a lot of waste.
“Arjowiggins paper-based alternative is
both non-polluting and fully recyclable,” the
firm claims. A plastic film laminate isn’t
necessary for protection as the cards can be
finished with a water-based varnish that is
water resistant and durable. This ensures the
cards remain fully recyclable. It is also
possible to separate the fibres from the ink,
so nothing is rejected during the recycling
process.
The smart cards are supplied to order,
with lead times depending on the size of the
order and the type of chip the customer
wants to use. Typically, orders are completed
within weeks, rather than months, the
company says.
What does it do? fine printed silver circuits and chips, with The material is supplied as either finished
PowerCoat Alive NFC is a paper-based low absorbency meaning minimal inks are cards, or the inlay can be supplied on
350mm wide reels for further processing.
alternative to plastic smart cards developed needed. Alive is what the product is called
by Arjowiggins Smart Papers. It is a once the circuits are printed. What’s new is Arjowiggins can supply a complete
sustainable and 100%-recyclable paper inlay Specifications the Smart Card inlay creation and solution to order if required. The printed
that forms the core of a card, with NFC Blank paper roll production service, launched earlier this inlay can be seamlessly laminated with any
(near-field communication) circuitry size 325mm wide x year. other paper and board using a water-based
printed by conductive inks rather than 500m Target applications are those that need glue, and the outer surfaces can be printed
formed from aluminium. secure authentication, such as travel cards, and finished as required. Alternatively it will
The circuits respond to being brought Pre-printed card access control badges, hotel key cards, just supply the paper inlay with or without
close to an NFC reader (sometimes built layouts 2-up, 4-up, warranty certificates, gift cards, loyalty cards circuits and the customer can do the rest.
into a smartphone). No battery is needed in 21-up, 25-up, 54-up and leisure passes. The cards are completely What’s the USP?
the card. and others on secure as the circuitry cannot be removed The big message is the replacement of plastic
Arjowiggins can supply blank card request and applied to anything else. Plastic will still with sustainable and recyclable FSC-
material to suitably equipped security be needed where long-term durability is certified paper, plus the replacement of
printers, though it mostly expects to handle Certification FSC needed, but laminated and varnished paper aluminium with less wasteful conductive
the creation and printing of the card is fine for many other applications. ink for the circuits. Some 37.1bn cards were
circuitry itself. It can either complete the Price comparisons made worldwide last year, the vast majority
process as laminated finished cards, or Costs are similar to How does it work? being plastic. Most are disposed of in
supply the inlays to production sites for plastic cards for Arjowiggins is able to print the circuitry to landfills or incinerators, generating
lamination with facing card, printing and quantities of 10m order at its Guarro Casas mill in Spain. pollution.
top coat varnishing. and above. 5%-10% Alternatively, if the customer has the
Arjowiggins head of R&D Gael Depres higher than plastic printing capability in place, it can supply What support is offered?
says that “it offers the same functionality below that blank paper substrate directly. Arjowiggins offers technical information
and performance as before, responding to Circuits are printed by flexography using and support to producers.
NFC, with the added benefit of being eco- water-based conductive ink. “The ink is What does it cost?
friendly”. infused with a conductive material and acts There’s no price list as costs are very
as a liquid medium that can flow freely while dependent on quantities and processes
When was it launched and what market is it building a chain of conductive materials ordered, says the company. However it offers
aimed at? behind it,” says Depres. “Once the ink dries, a comparison to conventional plastic smart
Arjowiggins first introduced PowerCoat it locks the conductive particles in place, cards: “In terms of cost of materials and
Alive as an NFC aluminium-free product in leaving a completed electrical circuit.” production, print versus plastic, when
2014. PowerCoat is a cellulose based paper This ink is only used where needed and reaching 10 million units, prices will
with a special coating that can accept very can be removed during the recycling become more or less the same.”

“Arjowiggins can supply a complete solution to order if required.”
www.printweekmena.com November 2021 PrintWeek MENA 29