Agfa presents two new films in its innovative PETixTM polyester film range

At the Cartes 2010 tradeshow (Paris, December 7-9, 2010), Agfa will present PETix OLE 100 and PETix PFD 105, two new members of its PETix portfolio of crystalline polyester films for the production of smart cards and ID documents such as financial cards, cards for mass transport, ID cards and driver licenses.

PETix OLE 100 is a new transparent overlay film that combines the robustness of an oriented polyester film to protect the outer surface of the card with excellent laserability. The film offers easy processing with standard PVC or PETG cores or prelams. Using only one film, smart cards which offer an unparalleled performance when it comes to durability and secure personalization, can be created.

PETix PFD 105 is a new opaque printing film for easy and cost-efficient manufacturing of durable, temperature-resistant smart cards for dye-sub or retransfer personalization. As with all PETix films, the new film can be easily combined with PVC or PETG core films and prelams.

"Agfa is a longtime leader in the production of materials and systems for high-end ID documents. We have won prestigious projects around the world, such as the paper/polyester French national ID card and the e-ID card of Morocco, the world's first contactless national ID card in credit card size and made of 100% polyester. We have developed the new PETix films to bring the well-known advantages of crystalline polyester also to the broader market of smart card manufacturing with the goal of breaking though existing cost/performance barriers", says Peter Willaert, Agfa's ID&S Global Marketing and Business Development Manager.

Visit us at the Agfa booth - Cartes 2010 hall 4 K096

About PETix

Standard crystalline polyester cannot be used for laminated card manufacturing. Therefore Agfa has developed PETix, an enhanced and innovative range of PET films tailored to the card makers' specific needs of today. Crystalline polyester (PET) is a material that has the characteristics that are becoming increasingly important for all kind of card applications. Card makers will use this highly robust plastic film to produce cards with the best-in-class resistance against mechanical and chemical influences. Because the films can be combined with standard PVC core films and prelams, and are highly compatible with standard card manufacturing processes, their usage does not come at a prohibitive cost for card makers.

The Agfa PETix portfolio consists of the following films each targeting specific market segments:

PETix OL, a PET overlay that gives standard PVC cards an extended service life and scratch resistance, while being perfectly compatible with standard PVC card making processes. Aimed at the production of all kinds of smart cards that need longer life times and higher service temperatures.

PETix LE , a PET film that offer superb laser engraving quality. This film must be combined with PETix OL film to protect the card surface. This film is aimed at the production of highly durable, high-security ID cards and driver licenses, for which high-end security printing is combined with high quality

PETix PFW, a white film that is perfectly printable with standard PVC inks but can be laminated with thin PVC overlays for subsequent dye-sub personalization (direct or retransfer). Aimed at the production of cards that need longer life times and higher service temperatures in combination with dye-sub personalization.

PETix PFT, a transparent film that is perfectly printable and can be combined with PETix LE and PVC overlays. The resulting card is durable and combines both dye-sub and laser engraving personalization in one card. Aimed at the production of durable ID cards with dual personalization: colour dye-sub and crisp, secure laser-engraving.

For more information please contact

Agfa-Gevaert N.V.

ID&S

Septestraat 27

B-2640 Mortsel

Belgium

T: +32 3 444 4083 or + 32 3 444 2977

E: petixsales@agfa.com