AIMPLAS, Plastics Technological Institute, has developed an innovative digital totem that simulates the digital passport for plastic products, which will be a mandatory requirement for marketing products in the European Union and which companies must implement from 2025 to adapt to its probable entry into force in the following year, although the exact specific date is not yet known.. This is a tool that provides consumers with essential information on the traceability, materials, recycling and carbon footprint of the products they purchase. In addition, this solution developed by AIMPLAS officially demonstrates that plastic products comply with all European regulations.
As an example of what this digital passport will entail, the totem includes examples of a supermarket ice cream tub and a toy house, which, in addition to being made with at least 90% recycled plastic, seeks to educate about sustainable habits and respect for nature.
Both products (packaging and toys) are framed within the priorities defined by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre for the Regulation on Ecodesign of Sustainable Products.
The totem, designed as an interactive screen with code and label readers, allows users to visually and intuitively explore the information that these two products could present in their future digital passport. It integrates detailed data on the product's life cycle, from its origin and manufacturing process, to its material components and recycling options at the end of its useful life, as well as its impact on the carbon footprint. With this demonstrator, AIMPLAS seeks to raise awareness in the industry and consumers about the importance of having verified and accessible information that encourages more responsible and circular consumption.
Digital passport: transparency, security and sustainability
The digital product passport will offer consumers easier, more transparent and more secure access to key information about the products they buy. This will improve the shopping experience, promote sustainability and reinforce consumer confidence in product authenticity and quality.
The digital passport will give consumers access to the complete history of a product, from its manufacture to its distribution and consumption. Through the digital passport, consumers will be able to access detailed information about the product's characteristics (materials, manufacturing date, etc.), instructions for use, warranties, and recycling recommendations. This will allow them to make more informed and safer purchasing decisions. In addition, digital passports will make it easier to track a product's environmental impact throughout its lifespan, which can include its carbon footprint, resource use, and recycling practices. This will help consumers choose more sustainable products and companies demonstrate their commitment to the environment.
The products that the European Commission has identified as key to be included in the Sustainable Product Ecodesign Regulation (which includes the digital passport) are eleven final products (textiles and footwear, furniture, tyres, bed mattresses, detergents, paints and varnishes, lubricants, cosmetics, toys, fishing gear, absorbent hygiene products), seven intermediate products (iron and steel, basic chemical products, non-ferrous and non-aluminium metal products, aluminium, plastics and polymers, pulp and paper, glass). In addition, three horizontal requirements will be taken into account (durability, recyclability, recycled content).
The development of this demonstrator of the future digital passport has been possible thanks to the support of the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) with funds from the Generalitat Valenciana for the development of independent R&D activities by technology centres. It has been framed within the Circular Economy Line promoted by AIMPLAS and represents a step towards transparency and sustainability in the plastics industry.
Businesses ITC Packaging and Famosa have collaborated in this development by providing relevant information on the technical data sheets of the ice cream packaging and the toy. Both companies work with AIMPLAS in the OASIS project, which is in the financing evaluation phase by IVACE+i within the aid programme aimed at technological centres in the Valencian Community for non-economic R&D projects carried out in collaboration with companies for the year 2024, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union within the framework of the 2021-2027 Operational Programme.
