As card markets mature and digital payment methods proliferate, one question stands out: How can physical cards remain relevant, desirable and essential?
At this year’s CardTREX, hosted at the Otto Künnecke Group’s create:hub in Holzminden, industry leaders explored the technologies redefining premium cards. In her presentation, ICMA member Ursula Schilling of Infineon Technologies outlined how innovation in materials, security and sustainability is driving the next generation of payment cards—transforming them from simple tools into powerful brand experiences.
Redefining Differentiation: The Premium Experience
In a competitive marketplace, premium cards have become symbols of status and innovation. Their look, feel and sound create a tactile experience that resonates emotionally with users, turning every transaction into a moment of distinction.
Metal cards, for instance, embody robustness, exclusivity and “top-of-wallet” appeal. Their substantial touch and tone signal quality, while inductive coupling technology ensures seamless contactless functionality, even with heavy or metal-faced designs.
For issuers, these cards deliver measurable benefits: increased customer loyalty, extended product lifespan and new opportunities for premium services, from loyalty programs to VIP access.
When Security Meets Style: Biometrics and Premium Cards
Luxury and security are no longer separate concepts. Biometric payment cards unite them, offering a secure yet elegant solution that enhances user trust and convenience.
- For banks: Biometric authentication reduces fraud, eliminates unintended transactions and strengthens customer confidence.
- For users: It replaces PINs with touch-based verification, protects against stolen or skimmed cards and raises transaction limits safely.
- For manufacturers: It introduces complexity but also opportunity—a path toward differentiation through innovation.
As Schilling noted, “A premium card should not only feel valuable—it should make the user feel secure.”
Ceramic: The Smart Metal
A new material is emerging in the premium card landscape: ceramic. Known for its sleek feel and durability, ceramic offers a lighter, more versatile alternative to metal while maintaining an equally refined presence.
With UV or laser printing, ceramic cards achieve stunning designs, though manufacturers must navigate challenges like hologram integration and torsion testing. The reward is worth it—electrical performance remains on par with metal cards, but with greater sustainability potential.
Sustainability: The New Status Symbol
Today’s cardholders care as much about how their cards are made as they do about how they look. Banks are responding with eco-friendly materials such as PLA, PET, PETg and recycled PVC, helping to phase out virgin PVC and reduce up to 900 million kilograms of CO₂ emissions annually.
This shift isn’t just about compliance. 62% of consumers prefer sustainable card options, viewing them as meaningful contributions to an eco-focused world. Every small step, from recycled cores to biodegradable bodies, moves the industry closer to greener innovation.
Lighting the Way: The Rise of LED Cards
The next generation of cards doesn’t just perform; it performs visibly. LED-enabled cards light up when near an NFC field, signaling an active contactless transaction. While not a security feature, LEDs create a striking moment of interaction and joy, a visual cue that underscores the issuer’s creativity and brand identity.
Smarter, Safer Gift Cards
Gift cards, long popular among consumers, face increasing threats from tampering and fraud. With more than $1 billion in annual losses reported in the United States alone, the shift to contactless smart cards is both a safeguard and an enabler.
In some U.S. states, these advanced cards are already mandated, offering improved retailer security and promoting financial inclusion for unbanked citizens.
Authentication Reimagined: FIDO on Card
FIDO2-compliant cards are revolutionizing authentication by merging identity, access and payment in one secure form factor. These cards enable users to:
- Activate or manage card features in the field
- Enroll safely into digital wallets
- Authenticate high-value transactions
- Replace SMS-based one-time passwords
For issuers and users alike, on-card Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) represents a leap forward in convenience and cybersecurity—no more phishing-prone text messages or fragmented verification flows.
Digital Currencies, CBDCs, and Quantum Readiness
As digital currencies and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) evolve, the physical card remains a key access point. Crypto-enabled and CBDC cards enable secure offline transactions, increase economic resilience during power outages and ensure social inclusion for all citizens.
Meanwhile, the industry must prepare for the Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) era. Traditional RSA and ECC algorithms will no longer be secure once quantum computing matures. Migration to PQC-certified algorithms, such as ML-KEM, will be essential within the next decade.
The Path Forward: Partnership and Purpose
The card industry stands at the intersection of technology, sustainability and trust. From metal and ceramic innovation to biometric authentication and PQC readiness, manufacturers, issuers and technology providers all play a role in shaping a smarter, safer and more sustainable ecosystem.
As Schilling emphasized at CardTREX, “The card isn’t going away—it’s evolving.” The future of premium cards is one where design, security and responsibility converge to create products that are not just functional, but aspirational.
Why ICMA Membership Matters
As ICMA celebrates 35 years of leadership in 2025, the association remains steadfast in its mission to empower the global card manufacturing community. Through a blend of cutting-edge marketing support and robust professional development, ICMA equips its members with the tools they need to lead, innovate and grow.
ICMA’s professional development programs are designed to elevate technical knowledge and leadership skills. Programs like Advanced Card Education (ACE) and the Card Industry Training & Education (CITE) initiative help individuals deepen their expertise, while the EXPO and CardTREX bring together the brightest minds in the industry for learning, networking and innovation.
Members who engage in ICMA’s educational offerings and industry events don’t just keep pace with change—they help drive it. Whether contributing thought leadership to Card Manufacturing magazine or gaining recognition through programs like the Élan Awards of Excellence, ICMA provides members with meaningful opportunities to raise their profile and shape the future of the industry.