Episode 15

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Published on:

29th Aug 2023

The world's first plastic-free wooden card: Solving the 6 billion annual plastic cards production challenge | Christian Lehringer, CEO at Copecto

My guest today is Christian Lehringer, CEO at Copecto. Copecto’s innovative product is The TIMBERCARD. The world’s first plastic-free wood payment card that can be used like any conventional banking card. It is fully biodegradable, except for the chip, antenna and magnetic stripe. and when exposed to the soil, it decomposes much quicker than conventional plastic cards

We talk about the 6 billion per annum plastic cards problem and how the Timbercard is part of the solution. He talks to us about the innovative processes behind the card and the challenges in building such an innovative product, including the controversial topic of deforestation. Let’s go and create a world where we have a wood bank card in everybody’s wallet!

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Let’s dive into it!

👉 You can find Christian here

👉 And you can find Monica here:

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In this episode we cover:


(0:00:00) The problem of plastic cards in the payment industry

(0:03:08) Introduction to Copecto and the Timber card

(0:07:06) Definition of success and building long-term relationships

(0:13:03) Purpose of using wood as a material in Copecto's products

(0:21:02) Customers demanding sustainable products in financial services

(0:22:55) Impact of plastic card waste on the environment

(0:24:19) Size of the plastic card waste problem

(0:25:55) Biodegradable components and decomposition process of Copecto card

(0:27:07) Laser engraving and personalization options for Copecto card

(0:29:17) Contactless engraving and scheme logos on Copecto card

(0:32:18) Challenges in manufacturing and selling the product

(0:40:41) Leadership style and team approach

(0:43:37) Desire for a more balanced approach in the fintech industry


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Production and marketing by Monica Millares. For inquiries about coaching, collabs, sponsoring the podcast or creating or editing your podcast email fintechwithmoni@gmail.com


Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

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About the Podcast

Purpose Driven FinTech (& AI FinTech Innovations)
Building FinTech Products & AI in FinTech with Impact
Welcome to Purpose Driven FinTech!

I'm your host, Monica Millares - Product Leader and fellow FinTecher.

These days, with the rising cost of living, financial stress among customers, loss of trust in banks, speculation of crypto, and uncertainty, we're facing unprecedented challenges. But there is hope. We as FinTechers have the power to make a positive impact.

Our products, the how we do product, and our people can make a difference on customers’ financial lives - and as a result, in the quality of their lives.

However, more than ever Founders, CEOs, Leadership teams and all FinTechers have a ton of pressure to build solutions that actually solve customer problems, that people want, that are differentiated And profitable

Yes that's you and me too!

That's why I've created this podcast!

I speak with Founders, Product Leaders, VCs, and industry experts to uncover their stories, challenges, and lessons learnt in building products with impact.

You'll get to hear real-life conversations, and you’ll walk away with practical questions, frameworks and insights that you can apply to your own FinTech products. So, are you ready to make a bigger difference in FinTech?

Let's come together and discover how Purpose, Product, and People can help us create a future of better financial wellbeing while building sustainable and profitable FinTechs.

Follow me on LinkedIn, TikTok, and  YouTube to stay connected and be part of the conversation.

Cheers to making better FinTech and making FinTech better!

Love, Moni 

About your host

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Monica Millares

Monica advocates for financial safety for all. She is the Product Principal at BigPay, where she leads Product and Design. As part of the founding team, Monica led building BigPay’s product from zero to one, to multi product line, and international expansion. Her leadership shaped the culture and ways of working to grow from startup to scaleup. BigPay has over 1.4 million customers, and has presence in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Monica has almost 20 years’ experience in Financial Services. Prior to BigPay, she was one of the first joiners in UK’s challenger Tandem Bank, where she focused on building credit cards from scratch. Previously she worked in leading Financial Services brands like Visa, Barclays, and a Mexican Development Bank.

She sits on the Board of PayEd, and is recognised as Singapore’s #Fintech65 Product Leaders and Women in FinTech. She’s been multiple times speaker at the prestigious conference Money2020 and shared stage with JP Morgan, Standard Chartered Bank, Konsentus, and Money2020’s Rise Up. Her commitment to innovation and financial inclusion resonates in her podcast “Purpose Driven FinTech” where she explores how FinTech’s can have 10x more impact.

Monica has a background in Engineering and a Master’s Degree on Analysis, Design, and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics.