The Plastic-Free Wooden Card:
From Product Development to Market Rollout.

Every year, consumers are given a total of 36 billion new plastic cards that serve a wide variety of purposes: bank and credit cards, access cards, ID cards, customer loyalty cards and much more. This equates to 180,000 metric tons of PVC each year, which ultimately ends up as plastic waste that is harmful to the environment. It was with this situation in mind that we developed our pioneering product: the plastic-free wooden card.

The Versatile Wooden Card – up to 100% Biodegradable.

Developed by Swiss Wood Solutions, the wooden card is the result of a unique combination of leading-edge technology, innovation and aesthetics. It sets new standards in sustainability and design. The wooden card is made entirely using renewable wood from domestic forestry. Its biodegradable material is completely plastic-free and therefore up to 100% compostable.

With an attractive design and high-quality feel, the cards make an elegant and stylish impression. They are highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of sectors, including financial services, retail and trade, and tourism and hospitality.

CREDIT CARDS

Debitkarte und Bankkarte aus Holz - Wooden Debit Card and Banking Cards - Swiss Wood Solutions-1

DEBIT CARDS

Prepaid Karte aus Holz - Wooden Prepaid Card

PREPAID CARDS

INSURANCE CARDS

BONUS AND LOYALTY CARDS

Wooden Business Card - Product development including sustainable wood

BUSINESS CARDS

EMPLOYEE ID CARDS

ACCESS CARDS

Memberkarte aus Holz - Wooden Member Card - Swiss Wood Solutions-1

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

Biodegradable

The wooden cards are completely plastic-free and up to 100% biodegradable, except for any chip, antenna or magnetic strip integrated in them. They make a significant contribution to shrinking a company’s environmental footprint by reducing the amount of plastic waste and greenhouse gases damaging the climate.

Exclusive Design, High-Quality Feel

With high-grade product specifications, an attractive design and a high-quality feel, the wooden cards have high emotional value and generate a feeling of exclusivity in the user experience. The texture of the wood means that each card is unique, emphasizing a stylish individuality.

Communicates a Modern Awareness of Environmental Issues

Acting as both a functional object and an emotive symbol, the wood card makes a strong statement. When the card is used, it communicates a modern awareness of environmental issues on the part of the issuer and the user, while also evoking exclusivity.

Supports CSR Programs

The wood card makes the perfect addition to a company’s CSR program, whether they are a financial service provider, a retailer or a tourism and leisure business. It underlines their commitment to the environment and society in a visible and credible way.

Swiss Wood Solutions developed the wooden card using their own densified wood technology (patent pending). Following the product development and prototyping phase, small-batch production was prepared and implemented, while in-depth market analysis was undertaken in discussion with relevant market players. Finally came a series of pilot projects and certification processes, which included verification of marketability, development, market rollout and licensing.

Licensing for Global Production and Distribution

Swiss Wood Solutions awarded the global license for producing, marketing and distributing the wood card to Copecto GmbH. Copecto distributes the card worldwide under the brand name Timbercard. The German GLS Bank (Bank of the Year 2023 in Germany) was the first to make the wooden bank card widely available to its banking customers. Series production of the Timbercard is carried out by Raiffeisendruckerei GmbH, a certified provider of payment cards with a sublicense from Copecto. Copecto GmbH is a subsidiary of DG Nexolution, the renowned service provider for cooperative banks.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Cards.

What makes the wooden cards from Swiss Wood Solutions the right choice?

The body of our wood card is made entirely from wood and paper, with no plastic, and is therefore completely biodegradable, apart from any electronic or magnetic components. This makes the wooden card from Swiss Wood Solutions the first completely plastic-free card in the payment card sector worldwide.

The wood and paper used for the cards come from sustainable FSC®-certified forests in Switzerland and the EU. The various layers are bonded together using a biological adhesive specially developed for the card.

The hardness and scratch-resistance of the surface, along with its unusual look and feel, make the card particularly impressive. Each card is also unique, thanks to the wood texture. All of this makes the cards exceptional ambassadors for the natural world.
We would like to evaluate the wood card for a project or integrate the technology into our existing card business. What are the next steps?
I want to use a wooden card with NFC technology as a business card for myself or my entire company. What should I do?

Interested in Plastic-Free Wooden Cards?

Contact Our Licensee Copecto

As the global license holder, Copecto is the contact point for sales and production of the Timbercard.

I'm Interested in Wooden Cards

Could Our Next Greentech Innovation Be for Your Business?

Looking for a Specific Greentech Solution and Sustainable Product Development for Your Business?

You’ve Come to the Right Place.

We support sustainable businesses with our wood-based technology innovations and develop new business models to help them on their journey to greater sustainability. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about bespoke greentech solutions or your project idea.

Be Smart.
With Wood Cards.

Be Smart.
With Wood Cards.

The Plastic-Free Wooden Card:
From Product Development to Market Rollout.

The Versatile Wooden Card – up to 100% Biodegradable.

Financial Services

Businesses and Private Persons

Tourism and Hospitality