Coop Bank Denmark first to deploy Gemalto’s unique bio-sourced contactless EMV cards
Amsterdam, Mar. 31, 2015 – Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, announces that Coop Bank Denmark, part of the Coop retail group that is owned by its 1.4 million members, is deploying Gemalto’s unique bio-sourced Optelio Contactless EMV cards. This represents the first commercial rollout of its kind, further strengthening Coop Bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The cards are manufactured from a unique, corn-based PLA1 material that is 100% biodegradable and carbon neutral, while retaining the potential for creative, high quality artwork solutions.
The innovative combination of bio-sourced technology and contactless EMV has been approved by the major international payment associations. In the summer of 2015 the card will also incorporate the national payment scheme, Dankort. Under the multi-year agreement, Gemalto is providing the bank with comprehensive artwork, production and fulfilment services.
The infrastructure for contactless payments is being massively rolled out in Denmark, with deployment of contactless-enabled POS terminals set to boom in 2015. The speed and convenience of contactless payments will ensure strong customer adoption and the deployment of contactless products will open up previously untapped markets for low value cash transactions, thus creating new revenue streams for the bank.
“Having already deployed the first ever bio-sourced EMV cards from Gemalto’s Optelio range, it is a natural step for Coop Bank to also launch the first dual interface version of the product. We hope this will set a new global environmental standard for the banking industry,” said Charlotte Skovgaard, Managing Director for Coop Bank Denmark. “Gemalto was an equally natural choice as supplier, with proven delivery capabilities and strong local presence in Denmark.”
“Our bio-sourced solution fits perfectly with Coop Bank’s vision for a business rooted in social and environmental sustainability,” added Philippe Cambriel, President for Europe, Mediterranean and CIS at Gemalto. “The environmental awareness in Denmark is high and people are expecting environmentally friendly products in every part of their life, including banking. This new deployment will also help to familiarize Coop Bank’s customers with completing transactions with nothing more than a tap, paving the way for even more exciting developments such as mobile payments.”
1 Made from poly lactic acid (PLA), a plastic substitute, Gemalto’s bio-sourced card is non-petroleum based, biodegradable and compostable, and is also non-toxic if incinerated.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2014 annual revenues of €2.5 billion and blue-chip customers in over 180 countries
Gemalto helps people trust one another in an increasingly connected digital world. Billions of people want better lifestyles, smarter living environments, and the freedom to communicate, shop, travel, bank, entertain and work – anytime, everywhere – in ways that are enjoyable and safe. In this fast moving mobile and digital environment, we enable companies and administrations to offer a wide range of trusted and convenient services by securing financial transactions, mobile services, public and private clouds, eHealthcare systems, access to eGovernment services, the Internet and internet-of-things and transport ticketing systems.
Gemalto’s unique technology portfolio – from advanced cryptographic software embedded in a variety of familiar objects, to highly robust and scalable back-office platforms for authentication, encryption and digital credential management – is delivered by our world-class service teams. Our 14,000 employees operate out of 99 offices, 34 personalization and data centers, and 24 research and software development centers located in 46 countries.
For more information visit www.gemalto.com, www.justaskgemalto.com, blog.gemalto.com, or follow @gemalto on Twitter.
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