Gemalto, a company that specializes in digital security, reportedly announced an expanded portfolio of eco-friendly products suitable for banking, telecom and government customers.

 

Company sources said that this portfolio highlights Gemalto’s (News - Alert) commitment to develop safe digital security solutions to enhance everyday digital interactions, production and logistics processes besides reducing its environmental impact.

 

“Gemalto has a long track record of environmentally friendly practices and is committed to these in all aspects of our business,” said Paul Beverly, executive vice president of Gemalto, in a statement. “For years Gemalto has been developing eco friendly products, such as chlorine free or bio sourced cards, implementing new production practices to reduce water and energy consumption and minimizing waste production.”

 

“These continuous efforts contribute to our corporate goal of sustainability,” Beverly said. “Today we are grouping all of our new and existing eco friendly product innovations into one portfolio to provide our customers with clear visibility on our environmentally sensitive product options. This will allow us to partner with our customers toward the mutual goal of sustainability.”

 

Gemalto said that its eco friendly product portfolio incorporates safe practices such as usage of non-chlorine polymers like Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol or PETG based card products. This is a chlorine-free alternative to polyvinyl chloride and can be disposed safely. ABS (News - Alert) molded cards are also PVC free and reduce amount of waste during manufacturing process.

 

The smart card reader known as PC TWIN Reader satisfies eco-design criteria and is easy to recycle. The cards are designed with small from factors when used for telecommunications and banking industries to reduce the amount of material used in production.

 

Gemalto has implemented safe manufacturing processes like using laser inscription methods in marking cards instead of using ink jets where the solvents used are hazardous to the environment. Rags used in cleaning equipment are recycled for use instead of being discarded. More vegetable based inks are used in printing processes, said company sources.

 

The company is also actively promoting the use of renewable and recyclable materials to reduce its carbon footprint significantly. It has incorporated such measures in product development and company programs. Polylactic acid cards are used which are made from materials derived from corn, sugarcane and potato starch. These are recyclable and compostable.

 

In addition, Gemalto also promotes the use of paper-based materials for short-term use cards such as in starch cards. ECOpack is an eco friendly way of making 100 percent recyclable packing materials. The packaging size is also made smaller thereby reducing the amount of material used.

 

Gemalto strives to comply with international environmental guidelines and in view of this has developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy which encompasses all business practices.