FAQ
What is this world novelty about your Timbercard anyway? Wooden cards have been around for a long time - the first ones came on the market 20 years ago.
Our world novelty is the first completely plastic-free wooden card body for payment cards. It consists of several layers of maple wood and paper from certified regional forests. Other wooden cards either do not meet the high international ISO or CQM requirements for the payment sector or have a plastic inner core, for example. That's why we are proud of our disruptive new Timbercard as a contribution to sustainability in the payments business.
Is the Timbercard offered as a debit card and Mastercard/Visa credit card?
Yes, the Timbercard is available as a debit card (girocard only or with a co-badge) as well as a Mastercard and Visa credit card.
Where can I get a Timbercard card?
End customers: Through your bank – ask them if they already offer the cards.
Banks: Through your card issuer.
Card issuers: Through your card producers.
If you need help identifying the right contact person, please contact: Copecto (sales[at]copecto.com) or DG Nexolution (mina.guerbuez[at]dg-nexolution.de).
What quantities are available?
In the course of the product launch, we offer defined quantities for piloting in 2023. With an increase in production capacity in 2024, significantly higher quantities will then be available. If you are interested and would like to have a consultancy for piloting customized to your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us: Copecto (sales[at]copecto.com) or DG Nexolution (mina.guerbuez[at]dg-nexolution.de).
Where does the wood come from?
The wood is local and comes from sustainably managed forests in Europe (EU and Switzerland).
What type of wood is used?
The first wooden card is made of maple. Other domestic wood species are also possible and we are currently working on expanding the range.
Are the wood based raw materials used in the card certified?
The wood currently comes from FSC/PEFC-certified forests in the EU and Switzerland. The wood-based paper for the antenna inlays is also FSC-certified.
How big is the plastic content in the card body?
The card body of our Timbercard consists of 100% bio-based and biodegradable materials (wood, paper and bio-adhesive) and is therefore plastic-free. This clearly distinguishes our card from conventional plastic cards or from other so called "wooden cards" on the market. Because in these wooden hybrid-cards, the card body often contains a plastic core layer.
What exactly does "plastic-free wooden card" mean?
The card body consists of several layers of specially modified wood. For the modification we only use temperature, pressure and humidity - and no chemicals or plastics. The carrier material for the antennas is also plastic-free, as it is made of normal wood-based paper. Of course, a security chip module, an antenna and a magnetic stripe are also required for the full payment functions of the card. These regulatory and technologically necessary card components are the same as in all other payment transaction cards and consist of metals, semiconductors, plastics and adhesives in small quantities.
What kind of glue is used in the wooden cards?
The adhesive is bio-based and bio-degradable.
Are the card bodies of the Timbercards biodegradable?
Yes, because the card bodies are made of wood and paper bonded with a bio-adhesive. The Timbercards are therefore completely biodegradable, except of the antenna, the chip and – if present – the printing ink and the magnetic stripe.
What is the correct way to dispose of the Timbercard?
In fact, as the card body is fully biodegradable, you could use the card as fertilizer in your flower pots. However, since the card contains a magnetic stripe, a chip and a copper antenna. In the sense of an optmimal recycling, it is therefore best to return the card to your bank or to the card manufacturer, with whom we are currently evaluating concepts for 2nd life cycle concepts ("cradle-to-cradle").
In Germany, all banking cards are officially classified as electronic equipment and should be treated as such.
What is the detailed ecological aspect and life cycle of the card?
We are currently having a full life cycle analysis (LCA) done that will evaluate the Timbercards in direct comparison to PVC cards, wood-plastic hybrid cards, and other card materials in terms of their environmental footprint.
Are the inks used on cards also environmentally friendly?
No, not at the moment, so we avoid the use of printing inks as much as possible. However, this is not always possible for regulatory reasons (e.g. Maestro or Mastercard logo).
Wouldn't it be better to leave the trees in the forest instead of turning them into wooden cards?
No, because forests from which wood is regularly removed through sustainable timber harvesting achieve higher volume growth rates per year and finally store more CO2. In addition, the forests in our regions fulfill three main functions that are mutually dependent. Sustainable use of wood and regular care lead to
- income for the forest owners
- preservation of the protective and recreational function
- stabilization of the forest ecosystem.
Very important in everything: The wood must come from certified and sustainably managed forests.
Where does the term sustainability actually come from?
The term sustainability originally comes from forestry: if you only cut down as many trees as can grow back, you ensure that the forest is available for future use and that it retains its value in the long term.
Can my Timbercard do everything that a plastic card can?
Yes, all technical features such as antenna, chip, magnetic stripe, contact and contactless functionality are identical to conventional cards.
Is the surface of the Timbercard treated?
No, the surface is untreated and uncoated. It is a pure wooden surface that is absolutely smooth and closed-pored thanks to our patented modification process – without any chemicals or plastics.
Where do the color variations between the different wood cards come from?
We currently use maple wood, which has a natural range from light to caramel brown tones after the card has been made. This variance is perfectly normal and is proof of the natural origin of the wood.
Will the card be produced with a magnetic stripe and signature field?
For regulatory reasons, payment cards must have a magnetic stripe by about 2026. We already do without a signature field. This is no longer mandatory.
How durable is the Timbercard with regard to the 4-year term?
The Timbercard is designed for use with a term of four years. Like all other cards made from different materials, the card has been subjected to extensive ISO-testing and has also gone through the load scenarios according to the Mastercard CQM. The card was approved by Mastercard with restrictions on breaking strength and moisture resistance, since wood is a hygroscopic material (reacts to moisture changes) and is more rigid than plastic.
How shatterproof is the card?
Our Timbercard is more rigid than a conventional plastic card and requires significantly more effort to bend. In contrast to plastic, the card cannot be deformed over very tight bending radii, but then breaks. However, such a load does not occur in normal use and can only be generated willfully with great effort.
Is the Timbercard prone to damage in daily use?
No, the Timbercard is made for everyday use. This means that the mechanical and environmental stresses associated with regular use of a card do not affect the wooden card. But one thing is clear: wood is neither plastic nor metal.
What happens to the wooden card if it gets wet or is exposed to high humidity?
Since the card is made of specially modified, but still natural wood without additional plastic, it absorbs moisture to a small extent. However, this effect is significantly reduced compared to normal wood. Short-term exposure to moisture is therefore not a problem, and immediate re-drying leads to complete restoration of the initial condition. It is therefore acceptable for the card to be briefly wet if it is subsequently dried off.
Prolonged exposure to extremely warm and humid climates (>30 °C and > 85% relative humidity) may cause slight swelling and visual brightening of the card surface. However, this will not affect the function of the card.
In general, contact with water should be avoided and the card should be kept in a closed wallet.
Why does the card warp under high humidity?
Due to the one-sided contact with moisture, the wood expands slightly and – like a bimetallic strip – the card then curves slightly. However, due to our special modification, this effect is greatly dampened compared to an ordinary wooden card. And – once the humidity on both sides of the card has equalized again – the curvature is also completely reversible.
Can I use the Timbercard in a humid climate, e.g. on a skiing holiday/in the mountains or in the tropics/beach?
Yes of course. The Timbercard is made for everyday use. This means that the mechanical and environmental stresses associated with regular use of a bank card do not affect the wooden card. But one thing is clear: wood is neither plastic nor metal.
What happens to the wooden card when it gets warm, for example under the windscreen in a car?
The Timbercard is made for everyday use. This means that the mechanical and environmental stresses associated with regular use of a card do not affect the wooden card.
What happens to the wooden card if I accidentally wash it?
If the card survived and is still functional after being re-dried, you're in luck and can contiue enjoying your Timbercard. If it no longer works, please contact your bank.
Can the wooden card bend if I carry it in my wallet?
As with normal plastic cards, the Timbercard can show a slight permanent deformation under permanent bending stress. This deformation can be corrected by gently bending it by hand in the opposite direction.
How do I stow the wooden card correctly?
No special precautions need to be taken with regard to safety against breakage.
In order to avoid bending the card, it should not be stowed away loosely in a damp environment, eg individually in a trouser pocket. It is recommended to keep the card in a purse, cardholder or wallet at all times.
If the card nevertheless bends sharply due to incorrect storage, it must not be used in an ATM in this condition. However, contactless or contact-based use with other card readers is not critical. The warping will reduce itself if you keep the card in a dry environment and in your wallet for a long time.
Are there any reports on the use of the Timbercard?
Yes, the first prototypes (e.g. business cards, sample cards) have been in use for more than 2 years. And since September 2022 also the first payment transaction cards.