THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 09 January 2024 - Circularise, a blockchain platform for supply chain transparency and traceability, has completed a successful trial with the Japan Circular Economy Partnership (J-CEP), AMITA Corporation, and Marubeni Corporation, setting a new standard in the fight against plastic pollution. This collaboration has led to the creation of digital product passports (DPPs) that track and verify the lifecycle of plastic bottle caps, from collection to their transformation into high-quality recycled products.
With over 20 million bottle caps being collected globally on beaches over three decades, the urgency to address this issue has never been greater. J-CEP's "PET Bottle Cap Collection and Recycling Project," launched in October 2022, leverages Circularise's cutting-edge traceability solutions to transform waste into valuable consumer products.
The trials resulted in the creation of two digital product passports (DPPs) designed to trace plastic bottle caps collected in Kobe City, Japan. These caps were sorted into polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) types, and then successfully recycled into high-quality consumer goods, marking a significant step forward in sustainability efforts.
The project's success is not just in its environmental impact but also in its demonstration of Circularise's supply chain traceability software with six Japanese companies. Circularise’s patented ‘Smart Questioning’ technology allowed them to test the secure sharing of material compositions without exposing sensitive data, offering a glimpse into the future of privacy-conscious, sustainable supply chains.
Circularise co-founder Jordi de Vos commented on the project's outcomes, "Our work with J-CEP shows the potential of digital product passports to transform the recycling industry. Our vision is to arm more companies with this technology, driving a tangible shift towards a circular economy."
Following the successful Proof of Concept (PoC), J-CEP is set to expand the conversation around the societal benefits of digital product passports in Japan. The initiative aims to establish DPPs not just as a regulatory requirement but as a strategic advantage for businesses and a benefit for consumers.
This initiative has also sparked the potential for widespread adoption of DPPs in the recycling industry, demonstrating how this technology can lead to more efficient resource use and waste reduction. Circularise's DPP has proven effective in plastic recycling, offering detailed tracking information, and represents a significant advancement in sustainable supply chain management. This could revolutionize recycling globally, supporting the fight against climate change and serving as a model for eco-friendly practices across various industries.
About J-CEP
The Japan Circular Economy Partnership (J-CEP) is a consortium of companies, organizations, and individuals working to promote the circular economy in Japan. The participants of J-CEP include a diverse range of stakeholders from various sectors, including major corporations, SMEs, NGOs, research institutions, and government agencies.
J-CEP aims to promote the circular economy by identifying opportunities for circular business models, promoting circular design and innovation, and raising awareness of the benefits of the circular economy among stakeholders. J-CEP provides a platform for collaboration among its members, including businesses, NGOs, academia, and government, to share best practices, exchange knowledge and expertise, and develop joint initiatives to advance the circular economy in Japan.
About AMITA Corporation
AMITA is a Japanese company that provides environmental and energy-related services, including waste management, and renewable energy. As a promoter of J-CEP, AMITA is committed to promoting circular business models and resource efficiency, as well as collaborating with other stakeholders to advance the circular economy in Japan.
About Marubeni Corporation
Marubeni is a major Japanese trading and investment company that operates in a wide range of industries, including energy, metals and minerals, and food and agriculture. Marubeni has committed to advancing the circular economy through its participation in J-CEP and other initiatives, including the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE) and the Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA).
About Circularise
Circularise is a digital product passports and mass balance bookkeeping software provider founded in The Netherlands in 2016. Circularise’s software system helps suppliers in chemicals, plastics, battery materials, metals, and other industries to trace materials and share their environmental footprint without risking their sensitive data. By extension, it helps brands to get visibility into their own Scope 3 emissions and other metrics, which is aligned with the regulatory push around Digital Product Passports, the SEC’s proposed climate risk disclosure rules, and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
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