Tokyo-based Teijin and Fujitsu have jointly developed a blockchain-based platform that supports the use of recycled plastics, promotes environmentally conscious product design and enables manufacturers to quantify their business’s environmental impact.
The commercial platform uses Teijin’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Calculation Method to measure the impact of production processes throughout the value chain. Powered by Fujitsu’s blockchain technology, the platform can collect and track environmental impact data.
The aim is to promote the sustainable use of recycled plastics and other materials and to provide manufacturers with reliable information on the origin of recycled resources as well as data on greenhouse gas emissions. Fujitsu’s blockchain technology ensures transparency and traceability, making it almost impossible to falsify the data.
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Image courtesy of Teijin/Fujitsu
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| The blockchain-based platform will provide manufacturers with verifiable environmental impact data. |
Teijin’s LCA methodology is certified according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. The analysis can identify carbon hot spots in production and point to options for emission reduction. Teijin is a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber products, and also promotes initiatives related to fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) recycling.
The new blockchain platform will enable environmentally friendly design and use of recycled materials by providing manufacturers who design products from recycled plastics with accurate environmental impact data, including proof of origin of recycled materials.
Manufacturers “mainly [in the] automotive and aerospace industry” will be the first to use the platform, a Teijin spokesperson told Plastic today. “FRP using our high-performance fibers, such as carbon and aramid fibers,” will initially be the core of the platform.
FRPs are used in transportation products such as aircraft and electric vehicles, as well as in the construction, infrastructure, energy and marine markets.
Manufacturers across industries face the ongoing challenge of measuring and reducing their environmental impact and increasing the environmental value of recycled plastics. Consequently, a growing number are using LCAs to gain insight into their carbon footprint, disclose evaluation results, and apply for labels or certifications related to their products’ environmental impact reductions.
But transparency and traceability of recycled materials is still a challenge. The need for reliable information management will grow along with the trend towards verifying the use of recycled plastics and other resources.
Teijin and Fujitsu plan to start full-scale trials with the blockchain platform this year. Based on test results, the companies will consider expanding the scope of the project to include additional materials. The partners hope to develop the platform globally.
