The relevance of blockchain in every sector has recently been demonstrated. The Dutch startup Circularise received € 1.5 million from the European Commission through Horizon 2020 with its initiative. Circularise 'follows' plastics during the entire cycle from 'resin' to 'end product'. This enables brands that incorporate plastics in their products to trace the origin and determine the impact on the environment. Data that is also crucial for the recycling process.
Privacy key
Circularise builds a blockchain protocol for data exchange, in which privacy and data protection are central. It is precisely this that makes cooperation between large companies possible. This is a smart strategy, because transparency often prevents companies from cooperating.
Mercury: yes/no?
Circularise's solution includes the Smart Questioning technology, which makes it possible to determine whether a product contains mercury or another material. With a simple yes/no answer, that question checks the entire supply chain. The plastics are linked to the blockchain using different types of identifiers, such as QR codes, RFIDs, NFC, chemical tracers and DNA.
Encourage recycling
Other examples of blockchain applications for plastics recycling are BASF and its reciChain pilot. While Circularise and reciChain go deeper into the plastic production process, other blockchain solutions focus more on the first stage of the recycling process. For example, Dell and its subsidiary VMware are investigating the recycling of packaging materials. And SC Johnson and Plastic Bank are investigating blockchain to stimulate consumer recycling of plastic. IOTA has a similar initiative.
Traceability of plastic
We are seeing increasing funding for sustainable use innovations - in this case the use of Blockchain to support the traceability of plastic throughout its lifecycle. A development that fits seamlessly with the mission of the Twice-based companies Ioniqa and Tusti. And to our recently launched BrainBloC learning work programme in partnership with Weconomics that helps companies accelerate the digitisation of their business processes.
Learn more about the apprenticeship programme BrainBloC?
