Thales Group Delivers Over 70 Million Sustainable Payment Cards, Including PLA Bio-Sourced Cards Reducing PVC by Over 80%

August 2, 2026

Thales Group France

Overview

Thales Group is offering sustainable payment cards made from responsible materials like recycled plastics and bio-sourced polymers (e.g., PLA), aiming to reduce waste and support sustainability goals. Their Thales Gemalto Bio-Sourced (PLA) cards replace over 80% of PVC with PLA, a non-toxic, petroleum-free material with a lower carbon footprint, and have delivered over 70 million worldwide. They also offer cards made from 100% recycled PETG and Parley Ocean Plastic®.

In Depth

Key Findings

Thales Group is actively contributing to waste reduction and sustainability goals by offering sustainable payment cards manufactured from responsible materials, including recycled plastics and bio-sourced polymers like PLA. Notably, their ‘Thales Gemalto Bio-Sourced (PLA)’ cards have successfully reduced PVC content by over 80%, utilizing non-toxic, petroleum-free PLA to achieve a significantly lower carbon footprint. To date, over 70 million of these sustainable cards have been delivered worldwide, complementing their portfolio which also includes cards made from 100% recycled PETG and Parley Ocean Plastic®.

Technical / Clinical Details

Thales’s sustainable payment card portfolio primarily includes three types. The Thales Gemalto Bio-Sourced (PLA) card uses Polylactic Acid derived from renewable plant resources like sugarcane or corn starch, substantially reducing reliance on fossil resources and lowering the carbon footprint. Secondly, their 100% recycled PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) cards are manufactured from post-consumer waste, offering excellent durability and security. Furthermore, cards made with Parley Ocean Plastic® incorporate materials recovered from marine plastic waste, contributing to ocean pollution mitigation efforts. All these cards comply with ISO international standards, maintain compatibility with existing card infrastructure, and retain high security features.

Background & Context

The financial industry is compelled to transition towards more sustainable business models due to rising consumer environmental awareness and strengthening global environmental regulations. Payment cards, produced and discarded in vast quantities, represent a significant challenge in terms of material sustainability. The introduction of innovative material solutions by leading technology companies like Thales is essential for financial institutions to meet their sustainability targets and align with customer expectations. The proven track record of over 70 million cards already in circulation underscores the commercial viability and strong market demand for these technologies.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The widespread adoption of sustainable payment cards by Thales Group is expected to create a ripple effect, promoting the adoption of bio-based and recycled materials across a broader range of plastic card products and other industries. Future advancements in material technology are anticipated to bring even more sophisticated solutions that balance enhanced card performance with further reduced environmental impact. This initiative marks a crucial step in accelerating the green transformation of the financial industry and deepening its contribution to a circular economy.

Source: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/solutions-catalogue/enterprise/financial-services/sustainable-payment-cards

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