Gemplus, the French smartcard manufacturer which last week saw its IPO held up twice through technicalities, has finally launched its listing on the Euronext Paris exchange.

The wait was worthwhile for the smartcard company, which saw its shares open at a first-day premium to the issue price of more than 16%. Gemplus shares, which were priced at €6 ($5.29), opened at €7 and hit a morning high of €7.5.