CardTREX Europe
Thank you for joining us! Stay tuned for information regarding CardTREX 2023.
Thank you for joining us at CardTREX Europe
As the card manufacturing industry landscape continues to evolve, organizations need to know how to adapt and grow in a competitive marketplace. Card manufacturers have an ongoing commitment to improve their productivity, performance, delivery, quality, compliance, environmental footprint and customer satisfaction. Understanding the unique solutions other manufacturers develop to universal challenges has never been more important. CardTREX Europe brings together the “who’s who” of card manufacturing executives, cutting-edge technology providers and supplier partners for the International Card Manufacturers Association’s premier European event. The one-and-a-half-day conference, which offers networking opportunities and educational presentations on trends specific to the European region, is open to ICMA members and non-members. However, ICMA members receive significant discounts.

CardTREX events are open to ICMA members and non-members, however ICMA members receive significant discounts. Non-members are encouraged to attend to see what ICMA events have to offer.
ACE training will not be available at CardTREX Europe. For further details on trainings for ICMA’s ACE programs, click here.
CARDTREX EUROPE 2022 SCHEDULE
Plastic has been the main source of materials for payment cards in the past years, yet plastic pollution and energy consumption are becoming a growing global concern for human beings. When we wish to pursue a greener future for the payment card industry, the choice of material can indeed largely determine the environmental impact of payment cards— that is why we will need to end the use of virgin plastics in the industry. The choice of materials can influence the entire lifecycle of a payment card, from the aspect of the supply chain, product design, manufacture, and usage to end-of-life recycling.
This session will explain why we need to choose more eco-friendly materials, how can the choice of materials be critical for payment cards, and how can payment card manufacturers utilize their existing resources to drive the adoption of more sustainable material choices for their clients and end customers.
Denise Noha, EMV Product Manager, Barnes International, will present Advances in Card Certification Testing: Visa Europe Self-Service PVT.
Tabletop exhibitors briefly present; groups rotate from exhibitor to exhibitor
Presentation of a new biometric solution among various biometric access offers. Value proposition of the biometric card and targeted market for an emerging solution.
Today everybody is talking about going green, but there’s still a long way to go. Switching off the lights and not flushing toilets is not enough; in this situation there are no half measures. Going green is a matter of change, in terms of production, use of resources and product portfolio.
This presentation will include:
- A short introduction about SPICA’s approach and investments in the last few years to be more sustainable, both on the production side and in terms of catalogue.
- An explanation of the circular economy approach.
A look toward the next steps in this evolution.
Efficient internal processes are key for the success of each company. With the market globalization, this approach gets new size of complexity. On top of the internal challenges, the majority of external drivers are forcing card manufacturers to thoroughly rethink their production landscape, supply chain and general business set up. Geopolitical issues like the continuing pandemic, lack of raw materials and costs of energy need to be taken into consideration for future strategy development. Inside impacts, like organic and inorganic growth, pressure for cost efficiency and call for efficient thinking in product design and process execution.
What can be done within new product developments and in the daily card manufacturing production process?
In the card manufacturing and engineering of the card construction, the associated raw materials production technologies are the main levers for optimization. Standardization on material and process is key for implementing a multisource concept. The multisource concept requires a global approach on one side, combined with a local network of suppliers on other side, to find the optimum overall material supply, sustainable product design requirements, cost of freight and energy; all parameters are even more important to be considered in the light of geopolitical issues. Compatible manufacturing technologies enable flexible supply chain and load balance and improve product producibility and lead times. A holistic Total Cost of Ownership approach is the right way to accurately evaluate the cost impacts of the different parameters.
This presentation follows the evolution of chip payment cards from the early days of contact-based chips to dual-interface; progressing to new innovations such as biometric cards, NFC tags, custom logo and payment + crypto.
Metal cards for financial applications are encountering a strong growth in diffusion in many countries, thanks to the perception of being stylish and exclusive products, associated to high-value services reserved to successful individuals. Branding and marketing by financial institutions have raised the expectations of customers in terms of design, quality and duration, driving the introduction of new combinations of materials and manufacturing processes. The many constructions of the cards generically defined as “metal,” together with the growing volumes, require adequate manufacturing and personalization methods.
Because of their flexibility, laser and inkjet represent a powerful technical solution, allowing to interact with many different substrates to make variable permanent marking and engraving and color printing. The appropriate use of laser technology opens the possibility of obtaining multiple and attractive visual effects, leveraging the material interaction knowledge and appropriate configuration of sources and optics. Ink jet requires appropriate selection of components and inks, where these last are crucial to ensure the quality of the results, but also the persistence of the same.
For both applications, rather than a traditional “card personalization expert” approach, it is required a specialized knowledge of the base technology and its components, in parallel with the development and experimental work, so to address the most effective way to benefit from all the potential of the available solutions.
IXLA’s presentation will brief some examples and conclusions from the experience cumulated during the product development and testing of laser solutions and some initial considerations regarding the inkjet use in this field.
Michael Dorner, owner and CEO, Variuscard, will review how the card industry can profit from new technologies such as blockchain, non-fungible tokens and phygitals. He’ll also introduce new ways of promoting cards and adding value to the product.
This is not your typical tabletop display! Attendees will join exhibitors set up within the Networking Zone during meals and breaks, and will have an opportunity to promote their BEST product during our Speed Share session. Exhibitors will be able to pitch their product and attendees will vote on the best product of the event.
MEMBER EXHIBITOR FEES:
CardTREX Europe Only:
Register by 30 September: $975
Register after 30 September: $1,175
Bundle Package: Both CardTREX Europe & North America (must exhibit at both events for discounted rate)
Register by 30 September: $875 (Per Event)
Register after 30 September: $1,075 (Per Event)
NON-MEMBER EXHIBITOR FEES:
CardTREX Europe Only:
Register by 30 September: $1,275
Register after 30 September: $1,475
Email Nicole Lauzon for a contract or for more information.
Again this year, we will be doing a Speed Share Session where you’ll be showcasing your best product to all attendees in a quick presentation about your product at your exhibit, to be voted on by all attendees! Once you are signed up as an Exhibitor, we will fill you in on all of the details.
2022 Exhibitors Include:
Hotel/Travel
Join us at the Munich Marriott Hotel in Munich Germany
- Rate: 159 EUR, rate includes breakfast
*CardTrex Attendees and Exhibitors:
ICMA Attendees and Exhibitors: Beware of solicitation from unauthorized hotels and housing agencies. Attendees and exhibitors may be subjected to inappropriate solicitation identifying themselves from hotels or third-party housing agencies not affiliated with ICMA. Specifically, they will offer to make hotel reservations within the Association’s room block on your behalf, and some will also mis-represent that they are calling from the host hotel. ICMA is not utilizing the services of any housing service for CardTREX events. Reservations for ICMA should be made directly with the hotel through the web link or phone number listed on this website.
ACE

Advance Your Career and Your Company’s Reputation with ACE Designation
(ACE training and exams are available to ICMA members only.)
There’s a lot of competition in the card manufacturing and personalization/fulfillment industry, but the ACE-M (Manufacturing), ACE-P (Personalization), and ACE-A (Advanced Technologies) designations will set you apart. It’s awarded to people with a broad and detailed knowledge of the industry who successfully complete a rigorous exam. As the demand for experts grows, continual training and expertise are crucial for individuals – and companies – to stay ahead of the pack. At CardTREX Europe, ICMA offered the ACE-A training and exam.
To sign up for this seminar, the cost is $249, please click this link and apply for the ACE program as a first step. Once your ACE application is approved, you can register for an exam, then the training seminar through the exam registration process. Dates will be announced soon.
COUNTDOWN TO CARDTREX EUROPE 8-9, NOVEMBER / MUNICH, GERMANY
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Register for this event
Pricing
- Member Early Rate (by 19, October): $575 USD
- Non-member Early Rate (by 19, October): $695 USD
- Member Regular Rate (after 19, October): $595 USD
- Non-member Regular Rate (after, 19, October): $725 USD
- Member Onsite Rate: $645 USD
- Non-member Onsite Rate: $750 USD
Stay connected with CardTrex & ICMA
#CardTREX
Experience. Learn. Connect.
ICMA is the leading provider of education and networking in the card manufacturing industry. CardTREX Europe continued with the tradition of providing leading card industry education and networking in Munich, Germany. ICMA’s CardTREX event is designed for technical and card production staff who are looking to elevate and empower themselves and their company through a unique learning experience.