State lender's plastic cards to be coated with antibacterial films

SEOUL -- All plastic cards to be issued by Industrial Bank of Korea will be coated with antibacterial films to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the request of customers who have responded positively to antiviral debit cards issued by the state lender earlier.

Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) said on December 21 that each side of its new plastic cards, credit or debit, will have 99.9 percent antibacterial effects. A debit (check) card can be used instead of cash when making purchases. Unlike a credit card, the money is immediately transferred directly from the cardholder's bank account when performing any transaction.

Due to a COVID-19 pandemic, various materials have been developed to hinder the growth and spread of microorganisms. In November, Samhwa, a leading paint maker in South Korea, developed an anti-viral paint made from acrylic resin that creates a strong layer of washable film which is hard to contaminate.

Lotte Chemical, a petrochemical unit of Lotte Group, works with a college medical center to develop anti-bacterial plastic materials. Antibacterial films and materials are widely used in South Korea for elevator cabins, door handles and other vulnerable places to prevent the invasion of viruses.