Security and innovation: 28 nm technology’s role in the future of EMV payment cards

20.03.2023

Powerful things come in small packages. Infineon’s new 28 nm technology node is no exception. Hans-Jörg Frey, Senior Product Marketing Manager, explains how recent advances in microchip technology are enabling new payment card innovation.

A new era of payment card security

Seismic shifts in the way we make payments, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and embraced by consumers, have placed even greater importance on the microchip technology that enables secured contactless, mobile, and biometric applications. Today, consumers are flocking to new payment forms like wearables, fobs, stickers, and key rings that rely on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to facilitate swift, secured, and hassle-free contactless payments.

At the same time, payment cards are undergoing a transformation of their own as issuers introduce new materials and features to differentiate their cards and provide consumers with personalized offerings. Metal, wood, LED lights, etchings and other innovative designs are being used by banks, financial institutions and fintechs to create cards that stand out from the crowd.

Consumer demand for environmentally friendly cards has also spurred several initiatives across the industry, while the number of multi-application cards continues to increase.

What’s fueling these exciting developments and innovative new uses cases?

pressebild payment update
pressebild payment update
pressebild payment update

The new standard for payment cards

Huge advances in 28 nm microchip technology are driving the evolution of payment cards and setting new benchmarks for performance and security across the industry.

It’s important to note that 28 nm technology has been available commercially to the general semiconductor market for some time. The launch of our 28 nm technology node represents the first time that this future-focused technology has been used specifically in payment cards, reflecting Infineon’s long-standing commitment to the payment card market.

But what’s the value? Firstly, 28 nm technology will enable a broad array of security applications for payments and transport ticketing. It also aligns with highest security requirements, evidenced by EMVCo certification. As new security requirements emerge, manufacturers that already embrace 28 nm technology nodes will be better prepared to adapt and introduce innovations into the payment card value chain.

SECORA Pay on 28 nm solutions: your ticket to new galaxies

Infineon’s SECORA™ Pay solutions on 28nm brings the flexibility and security on the future-proof possibilities for innovation and new use cases.

The result?

A platform that allows manufacturers to realize efficient production of robust dual interface cards for payment and multi-application use cases. And for standard card production, it offers an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio.

Because size does not impact performance, it can be used for everything from convergence use cases right through   addressing environmental concerns.

For instance, the microchip’s high transaction performance means that SECORA Pay on 28 nm solutions can perfectly support transport ticking and payment applications at the same time.

 Since Coil on Module technology offers the thinnest module on the payment card market, it can be integrated into virtually anything, simplifying the realization of contactless payment cards and making it possible to create truly eco-friendly card offerings .

Ultimately, the payment security marketplace will be shaped by those stakeholders that are able to both anticipate and respond to evolving consumer demand for increasingly personalized and comprehensive digital offerings – being ahead of the competition.

Find out how Infineon can help your business unlock new levels of innovation with the SECORA Pay solutions on 28 nm technology.

More information about SECORA Pay on 28nm can be found on the product page.

SECORA™ Pay S: ready-to-use for standard Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards.

SECORA™ Pay S: ready-to-use for standard Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards.

SECORA™ Pay X for multi-application cards

SECORA™ Pay X: for multi-application payment cards and domestic schemes.

Hans-Jörg Frey, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Infineon
Hans-Jörg Frey, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Infineon
Hans-Jörg Frey, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Infineon

Author: Hans-Jörg Frey, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Infineon