Digital platform improves circularity for textile industries
Textile and clothing (TC) industries are considered major drivers of climate change. In the EU, where the average garment is worn only three times before being discarded, there is a critical need to disrupt disposable clothing culture. Citizens are eager for such a change, with 66 % of consumers stating they are willing to pay more for clothing that is sustainably produced. To meet this growing demand, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must ensure the eco-friendly nature of their merchandise. The EU-funded project TRICK has established a digital platform to enable reliable data collection about TC traceability, circularity, sustainability, health and social assessment by blockchain.
Ecodesign requirements
In July 2024 the cornerstone of the European Commission’s approach to environmentally sustainable and circular products came into force. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is framework legislation intended to guide rules and regulations on a product-by-product basis. Aspects targeted by ESPR include durability, recyclability and energy and resource efficiency. An electronically accessible Digital Product Passport (DPP) shares information about product performance, the nature and origin of materials and lifecycle environmental impacts, at lot level. The DPP provides manufacturers, retailers and consumers with relevant information about a product’s environmental profile, as well as assurance that the product in question has not been subjected to greenwashing. Supporting the implementation of ESPR is integral to the TRICK approach. According to project coordinator Alessandro Canepa: “The project’s overarching goal is to establish a reliable, accessible platform that supports data collection for traceability, transparency, and circularity across the supply chain and in compliance with EU regulations, at single lot level.”
A comprehensive digital platform
The platform developed by TRICK was tested in pilot studies involving the TC and food industries. It demonstrated scalability in the TC sector and potential replicability in the food sector. The platform’s adaptability across different industries is a promising feature of project results, indicating the possibility for widespread and rapid adoption. Adaptability is a key feature of the platform. Blockchain enables secure information sharing among many stakeholders and data portability, while AI, used to analyse data, provide business insights and verify the reliability of data declared, prevents from green washing. As Alessandro Canepa shares: “One of the standout aspects of the platform is its ability to integrate various services into a seamless user experience for SMEs, ranging from traceability and preferential certification of origin to circularity and PEF, from consumer health protection to social assessment and AI for anticounterfeiting of data.” The services provided on the platform help SMEs meet DPP standards while improving sustainability and circularity in business. In addition to collecting and sharing data across the supply chain, the platform provides circularity assessments, product environmental footprint assessments and services to help SMEs procure preferential certification of origin. Alessandro Canepa states: “The services developed under the TRICK project align with key EU regulations, including those related to environmental sustainability and health protections, making it easier for SMEs to meet regulatory requirements, including the future DPP for TC.” Creating a secure, sustainable and circular future for TC industries is a complex endeavour. By creating a platform designed for SMEs, TRICK has streamlined the process. The potential replicability of the platform in other industries is a promising indication of Europe’s green future. Learn more about TRICK in this video.
Keywords
TRICK, ESPR, traceability, circularity, digital platform, Digital Product Passport, product environmental footprint, anticounterfeiting