As the global smart card industry speeds up its shift toward low-carbon and green production, PETG Core Sheet has evolved from an alternative solution to a preferred material. As a professional manufacturer with 26 years of experience in smart card base materials, Ketian Smart Card Technology leverages its own R&D and mass production experience of PETG Core Sheet to explore the core value of this eco-friendly base material, covering technical parameters, performance comparison and application sectors.

A Market at an Environmental Turning Point

The smart card base materials industry is undergoing a profound material transformation. According to market research data, the global smart card market size is projected to reach USD 70.8 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from 2026 to 2035. Meanwhile, the EU Circular Economy Action Plan has accelerated demand for recycled materials. It is estimated that 2.5 billion recycled plastic payment cards will be in circulation worldwide by 2028. Low-carbon eco-friendly base materials such as PETG stand out for their low carbon footprint and alignment with ESG investment trends, emerging as a core direction for industrial transition.

This trend is especially prominent in the Chinese market. PETG materials have been widely adopted for the production of China’s second-generation resident identity cards, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, third-generation social security cards, eco-friendly financial cards and other identity documents. Applications have also expanded to new-generation national ID card projects in countries including Indonesia. The market penetration rate of eco-friendly smart card base materials is rising rapidly, gradually replacing traditional PVC materials.

Key Properties of PETG Core Sheet

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-modified) is an amorphous copolyester. The cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) component incorporated into its molecular structure effectively inhibits crystallization, delivering high transparency and excellent processability. As the inner core material for smart cards, PETG Core Sheet offers the following key properties:

1.Eco-friendly & Compliant, 100% Recyclable

PETG Core Sheet is chlorine-free, eliminating the risk of toxic substance emissions that may occur during PVC production and waste disposal. Fully compliant with the EU RoHS and REACH directives, it is 100% recyclable, making it an ideal choice for the smart card industry to achieve sustainable development.

2.High Durability and Dimensional Stability

PETG Core Sheet delivers outstanding dimensional stability during lamination and resists deformation to guarantee card precision. The material features yellowing resistance, scratch resistance and wear resistance. PETG and PC substrates can achieve a service life of 10 to 20 years, far exceeding the 3 to 5 years of conventional PVC. In terms of mechanical performance, PETG offers excellent impact resistance and consistent dimensional stability.

3.Excellent Process Compatibility

PETG Core Sheet is compatible with core card manufacturing processes including printing, lamination and chip encapsulation. It supports offset, UV and screen printing. Its reliable lamination performance and processing stability make it a trusted option for smart card manufacturers worldwide.

4.Flexible Functional Expansion

PETG Core Sheet supports ultra-thin designs down to 0.05 mm and the embedding of anti-counterfeit marks, meeting high-end custom requirements. For contactless smart cards integrated with RFID chips, PETG also delivers good RF performance compatibility.

PETG Core Sheet vs PVC: Key Performance Comparison

Dimension	PETG Core Sheet	PETG Core Sheet
Environmental Profile	Chlorine-free, 100% recyclable, RoHS/REACH compliant	Chlorine-based, potential toxic byproducts
Service Life	10–20 years	3–5 years
Weather Resistance	Excellent, stable long-term performance	Poor, prone to aging
Temperature resistance	Minimal	Relatively higher
Chemical Stability	Excellent	Moderate

PETG Core Sheet outperforms conventional PVC in environmental performance, durability and processing stability. While it comes at a slightly higher upfront
cost, its extended service life and lower environmental compliance risks deliver clear advantages in total life cycle cost.

Ketian’s PETG Core Sheet is engineered specifically for smart card manufacturing and features the following key parameters:

Thickness Range: 0.05mm–0.76mm (sheet or roll form)

Density: 1.32 g/cm³

Color: White

Tensile Strength: ≥40 MPa

Surface Tension: Front ≥36 Dynes/cm, Back ≥35 Dynes/cm

Vicat Softening Point (B50): 70℃ ± 2℃

Printing Compatibility: Offset, UV, Screen printing

Certifications: RoHS, REACH

This product is compatible with core card manufacturing processes including printing, lamination and chip encapsulation. It is widely used for transit cards, high-end financial cards, government ID credentials and other applications.

Typical Application Scenarios

Financial payment card

Identity verification card

Transportation card

Business membership and gift card

Access control and security card

Application Fields

Financial payment

Government and public services

Transportation and travel

Identity verification and security

Retail and membership management

As a professional smart card substrate manufacturer, Ketian offers five material series—PVC, PETG, ABS, PC, and RPVC—backed by 15,000 tons of annual production capacity and 26 years of industry experience.

For PETG Core Sheet samples or technical data sheets, contact Ketian: info@ketian.net.cn.