The packaging industry is facing a dual challenge, with consumers demanding sustainable solutions, while increasingly stringent regulations require greater resource efficiency in production. How can companies fulfill these expectations and, at the same time, ensure transparency along the entire supply chain? The Digital Product Passport (DPP) could be the answer. How does it work in practice, and what opportunities does it bring to the industry? In a joint project with the open traceability and DPP platform R-Cycle and the flexible packaging converter Korozo Group, Henkel has demonstrated the benefits that can be achieved.
The pressure to develop environmentally compatible and resource-efficient packaging has increased tangibly. At the same time, global supply chains require greater transparency along the value chain in order to ensure that the origin of the materials, their processing and the end of the life cycle are traceable.
One key trend in the packaging industry is the shift toward a circular economy. The goal is not only to make packaging more efficient but also to return it to the production cycle at the end of its life. For this to happen, the materials need to be recyclable and the raw materials used need to be derived from sustainable sources wherever possible. In addition, there need to be clear rules for disposal. Digital solutions are becoming increasingly important in the efforts to satisfy these requirements.
The Digital Product Passport drives transparency
Against this backdrop, focus is turning to the Digital Product Passport (DPP). This is a key instrument in creating a digital record of the necessary information about the composition, life cycle and sustainability aspects of a product and making this information accessible. Driven by regulatory requirements such as the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the DPP will become mandatory in many industries from 2027.
The digital data set contains information such as the material composition, technical specifications and recyclability of a product. Each product is allocated a unique identifier, accessible via a suitable marking, such as a QR code or RFID tag, to facilitate its traceability along the value chain. The quality of the assigned data recorded is crucial here. Companies along the value chain need to provide the relevant information, which is prepared in a standardized format and made accessible to all stakeholders.
More recycling in the packaging industry?
In the packaging industry especially, the DPP not only satisfies regulatory requirements but also significantly improves the sustainability of packaging. “The DPP enables the seamless traceability of packaging along the supply chain, creates transparency and facilitates legal compliance,” says Philippe Blank, Head of Circular Economy at Henkel.
A functioning circular economy requires recyclable and ideally a high proportion of recycled raw materials to be already integrated into the procurement phase; these are then transferred to a design which takes into account various end-of-life scenarios. The goal is to recover materials for use in place of virgin material. “Reducing the use of raw materials and minimizing the resources needed are crucial for ensuring a sustainable future,” explains Philippe Blank at Henkel. Detailed material data simplify sorting and recycling, helping to preserve resources and increase the recycling rate.
Spotlight on adhesives: Henkel is testing the DPP in practice
In a joint project with Korozo Group, a flexible packaging converter, and R-Cycle, a platform based on open standards for the operation of digital product passports to ensure the traceability of packaging, Henkel decided to actively test and implement the DPP as part of its continuing commitment to make every package sustainable. The Loctite Liofol solvent free adhesive developed by Henkel is used to reliably laminate stand-up pouches. It is characterized by its chemical and thermal resistance, making it suitable for aggressive filling goods, pasteurization and high-speed packaging lines with a high seal temperature.
