In the field of smart card manufacturing, the selection of substrates directly determines card performance, service life and environmental compliance. As global requirements for sustainable development grow increasingly stringent, RPVC (Recycled Polyvinyl Chloride) — a smart card substrate balancing reliable performance and environmental benefits — is attracting growing attention from card manufacturers.

What Are RPVC Card Base Materials?

RPVC Card Base Materials refer to smart card substrates refined from post-consumer recycled PVC feedstock through sorting, washing, impurity removal, drying, shredding and other processes. Ketian’s RPVC product portfolio covers two main categories: RPVC Core Sheets and RPVC Overlays, which are used respectively for the inner core layer and surface cover film of smart cards.

The core value of RPVC lies in that it retains the excellent processability and physical strength of PVC while substantially cutting carbon emissions by adopting recycled raw materials. Ketian’s RPVC sheets deliver around 44% lower carbon emissions compared with conventional PVC, making it a key option for green card manufacturing.

Core Characteristics of RPVC Card Base Materials

1. Eco-friendly & Fully Certified

Ketian’s RPVC products adopt eco-friendly formulations. We only source raw materials from suppliers with valid environmental qualifications. Subjected to full-process quality control, the finished products have obtained multiple internationally recognized certifications including UL, GRS, RoHS and REACH. Among them, the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification is an internationally acknowledged verification system for recycled materials, delivering authoritative endorsement for the eco-friendly attributes of RPVC materials.

2. Stable Physical Properties & Excellent Process Compatibility

RPVC Card Base Materials deliver outstanding physical performance. Taking Ketian’s RPVC Core Sheets as an example, they feature tensile strength ≥40 MPa, Vicat softening point of 72℃–78℃, thickness ranging from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, and thickness tolerance controlled within ±0.02 mm. These parameters enable RPVC materials to meet stringent requirements throughout the full workflow of smart card manufacturing, including lamination, die-cutting and chip embedding.

RPVC Overlay can withstand lamination temperatures of 130℃–170℃. The adhesive layer resists aging and degradation, with peel strength ≥6 N/cm, ensuring no delamination of cards during long-term service.

3. Excellent Print Compatibility

After corona treatment, the surface tension of RPVC materials reaches Dyne (#4) ≥34, offering strong ink adhesion. Compatible with offset printing, UV printing, screen printing and other printing methods, the material can clearly render card information and anti-counterfeit marks.

4. Wear & Impact Resistance

Benefiting from the high-strength properties of RPVC base substrates, smart cards made from RPVC materials are drop-proof and wear-resistant. They can effectively withstand impact damage during daily use and guarantee the service life of the cards.

Key Differences Between RPVC and Standard PVC

Aspect	Standard PVC	RPVC
Raw Material Source	Virgin PVC resin	Post-consumer recycled PVC
Carbon Emissions	Baseline	~44% lower than traditional PVC
Environmental Certifications	Partial	UL, GRS, RoHS, REACH
Thickness Range	0.1mm-0.8mm	0.1mm-0.8mm
Core Advantage	Lower cost	Eco-compliance + uncompromised performance

Ketian’s Expertise in Smart Card Substrates

Founded in 2000, Ketian has focused on smart card substrate manufacturing for 26 years. We have established five major product series: PVC, PETG, ABS, PC and RPVC. With 14 core patents and 13 quality inspection procedures, our annual production capacity reaches 15,000 tons. The company has obtained authoritative certifications including UL, GRS, ISO9001, REACH and RoHS. Our products are widely used in finance, transportation, telecommunications and social security sectors.

In the RPVC segment, Ketian is one of the few manufacturers in South China that masters the core production technologies for both RPVC Core Sheets and RPVC Overlays. Our products serve many well-known smart card producers worldwide.

Conclusion

RPVC Card Base Materials represent a smart card substrate solution that balances performance and environmental sustainability. For card manufacturers pursuing green card production without compromising card quality, RPVC materials merit serious evaluation. Drawing on 26 years of manufacturing experience and technical know-how, Ketian offers professional customisation services of RPVC substrates for global customers.

Contact Ketian for free samples: info@ketian.net.cn