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IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496

A
A Collaborative Architecture to support Circular Economy through Digital
A Collaborative
Collaborative Architecture
Architecture toto support
support Circular
Circular Economy
Economy through
through Digital
Digital
A Collaborative Architecture
Material
A CollaborativeMaterial
Architecture to
Passports
to
Passports support
and
support
and Circular
Internet
Circular
Internet of
ofEconomy
Materials
Economy
Materialsthrough
through Digital
Digital
Material Passports and Internet of Materials
Material
Material Passports and Internet of Materials
Passports and Internet of Materials
Luigi Panza*, Giulia Bruno*, Franco Lombardi*
Luigi
Luigi Panza*,
Panza*, Giulia
Giulia Bruno*,
Bruno*, Franco
Franco Lombardi*
Lombardi*
Luigi Panza*, Giulia Bruno*, Franco Lombardi*
*Department
*Department of
of
*Department (e-mails:
Management
Management
of Management
LuigiandPanza*,
and GiuliaEngineering,
Production
Production Bruno*, Franco
Engineering,
and Production giulia.bruno@polito.it,
Lombardi*
Politecnico
Politecnico
Engineering, Politecnico
di
di Torino,
di Torino, 10129
Torino, 10129 –
10129 – Turin, Italy
– Turin,
Italy
Turin, Italy
luigi.panza@polito.it, franco.lombardi@polito.it).
*Department of
of Management
*Department (e-mails:
(e-mails: and
and Production
luigi.panza@polito.it,
Management Engineering,
Engineering, Politecnico
Production giulia.bruno@polito.it,
luigi.panza@polito.it, Politecnico
giulia.bruno@polito.it, di
di Torino,
Torino, 1012910129 –
franco.lombardi@polito.it).
franco.lombardi@polito.it). – Turin,
Turin, Italy
Italy
(e-mails:
(e-mails: luigi.panza@polito.it,
luigi.panza@polito.it, giulia.bruno@polito.it,
giulia.bruno@polito.it, franco.lombardi@polito.it).
franco.lombardi@polito.it).
Circular Economy
Abstract: Circular Economy is is regarded
regarded to to be
be a suitable strategy
strategy toto achieve
achieve the sustainable
sustainable production
production andand
Abstract:
Abstract: Circular
consumption of theEconomy
Earth’s resources.
resources. to be aa suitable
is regardedHowever, suitable
the effective
effective to achieve the
strategyimplementation the sustainable
of the production
the Circular
Circular Economyand
consumption
Abstract:
Abstract:
consumption Circular
of
Circular theEconomy
Earth’s
of theEconomy
Earth’s is regarded
is regarded
resources. to be
However, a suitable
the
to be a suitable
However, strategy
strategy
thelifecycle
effective to achieve
implementation
to achieve
implementation the sustainable
of
the sustainable
of production
the Circular Economy
production
Economyand
and
requires
requires information
consumption of
informationthe about
Earth’s
about materials
resources.
materials throughout
However,
throughout the
the
the effective
lifecycle phases. This paper
implementation
phases. This paper provides
of the
provides a framework
Circular
a Economy
framework for
for
consumption
requires
the material of
informationthe
lifecycle Earth’s
about resources.
materials
digitization throughHowever,
throughout
the the
the effective
lifecycle
establishment of implementation
phases.
the This
digital paper
material of the
provides Circular
passport. a Economy
framework
The latter for
born
requires
the
requires
the information
material lifecycle
information
material lifecycle about
about materials
digitization
materials
digitization throughout
through the
throughout
through the the
the lifecycle
establishment
lifecycle
establishment of
of phases.
the
phases.
the This
digital
This
digital paper
material
paper
material provides
passport.
provides
passport. aa The
framework
latter
framework
The latter for
born
for
born
together
the
together withlifecycle
material
with the physical
the physical material
digitization
material at the
through
at thethesourcing
sourcing phase,ofand
establishment
phase, and
the flow with
digital
flow it in
material
with it in all
all the lifecycle
passport.
the lifecycle
The phases.
latter born
phases.
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together
Examples with
of lifecycle
the digitization
physical materialthrough
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and digital
flow material
with it in passport.
all the The
lifecyclelatter born
phases.
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Examples
together
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with
with
of the
the physical
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to
to
be
be stored
tomaterial
stored
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be storedat in
the
at in
the digital phase,
sourcing
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in sourcing
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and
of flow
of materials
with
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provided.
To foster
To fosterphases.
lifecycle
lifecycle
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foster
more
more
phases.
more
sustainable
Examples
sustainable and
of
and circular
information
circular products,
to be
products, a digital
stored in
aa digital the
network of
digital
of material
passport
material passports
of is
materials
passports needed,
are
is needed,
needed, the Internet
provided.
the Internet
InternetTo Materials,
foster
of more
Materials,
Examples
sustainable
which of
wouldand information
circular
act as an to be
products, stored
eco-collaborative in
digital the digital
network
platform of passport
material
that of materials
passports
assistspassports is
designersisand
and are provided.
the
engineers To foster
of
duringofthe more
Materials,
the product
sustainable
which
which would
sustainable
wouldand
and circular
act as an
circular
act as an products,
products, a
a digital
eco-collaborative
digital
eco-collaborative network
platform
network
platform of
of material
that assists
material
that assists designers
passports
designers is needed,
needed,
and the
engineers
the
engineers Internet
during
Internet
during of Materials,
product
Materials,
the product
development
which would activity.
act Requirements, effects, and challenges
challenges ofdesigners
such platform
platform are discussed.
discussed.
development
which
development act as
as an
would activity.
activity. eco-collaborative
anRequirements,
eco-collaborative
Requirements, platform
effects, and
platform
effects, that
that assists
and challengesassistsof such
ofdesigners and
and engineers
such platform are
engineers during
during the
are discussed. the product
product
Copyright
development © 2022 IFAC
activity. Requirements, effects,
is an openand challenges
access article of
undersuchthe BY-NC-ND
platform
CC are license
discussed.
Copyright
Copyright
development ©
© 2022
2022 The
IFAC
activity.
Copyright © 2022 IFAC Authors. This
Requirements, effects, and challenges of such platform are discussed.
(https://creativecommons.org
Keywords:
Copyright
Keywords: ©Material
2022
2022 IFAC
Material Lifecycle;
Lifecycle;/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Material
Material Passport; Material Information; Material Properties; Internet of
Copyright
Keywords:
Materials;
©Material
Circular
IFAC Material Passport;
Lifecycle;Sustainable
Economy; Passport; Material
Material Information;
Consumption. Information; Material
Material Properties;
Properties; Internet
Internet ofof
Keywords:
Materials; Material
Keywords:Circular
Materials; Lifecycle;
MaterialEconomy;
Circular Material
Material Passport;
Lifecycle;Sustainable
Economy; Sustainable Material
Material Information;
Consumption.
Passport;
Consumption. Information; Material
Material Properties;
Properties; Internet
Internet ofof
Materials;
Materials; Circular
Circular Economy;
Economy; Sustainable
Sustainable Consumption.
Consumption.
1.
1. INTRODUCTION aa digital network of material passports, namely the Internet of
1. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION a digital
digital network
Materials network
(IoM).
of
of
The
material
material
platform
passports,
passports,
could
namely
namely the
support the Internet
Internetand
designers
of
of
Environmental 1.
crisis
1. INTRODUCTION
is increasingly
INTRODUCTION demanding for a a
a digital
Materials
digital
Materials network
(IoM).
network
(IoM). of
The
of
The material
platform
material
platform passports,
could
passports,
could namely
support
namely
support the
the Internet
designers
Internet
designers of
and
of
and
Environmental
Environmental crisis
crisis is
is increasingly
increasingly demanding
demanding for
for aa engineers by providing them information about the materials
sustainable exploitation of the planet’s resources. Circular Materials
engineers
Materials
engineers (IoM).
by
(IoM).
by The
providing
The
providing platform
them
platform
them could
information
could
information support
about
support
about designers
the
designers
the and
materials
and
materials
Environmental
sustainable
Environmental
sustainable(CE) crisis is
exploitation
crisis
exploitation isof increasingly
the planet’s
of increasingly
the demanding
resources.
demanding
planet’s strategy
resources. for
for aa available
Circular
Circular in the economy. In this way, designers and engineers
Economy is considered aa suitable to decouple engineers
available
engineers
available inby
inby the
theproviding
economy.
providing
economy. them
themIn
In this information
way,
information
this way, about
designers
aboutand
designers the
and materials
the engineers
materials
engineers
sustainable
Economy
sustainable
Economy exploitation
(CE) is
exploitation
(CE) considered
is considered of
of the
the planet’s
suitable
planet’s
aresources resources.
strategy
resources.
suitable strategy to Circular
decouple
Circular
topopulation could
decouple available be supported to carry out more responsible choices
the use of the limited Earth’s from the could be
available
could be in
in the
supported
the
supportedeconomy.
economy. to
to In
carry
In
carry this
this way,
out
way,
out more
moredesigners
designers and
responsible
and
responsible engineers
choices
engineers
choices
Economy
the
Economy
the use
use of
of (CE)
the
(CE)
the is
limited
is
limited considered
Earth’s
considered
Earth’s a
a suitable
resources
suitable
resources strategy
from
strategy
from the
the to
to decouple
population
decouple
population during the product development activity.
consumption through the reintroduction of used materials in could
during
could be
during be
the supported
product
the supported to carry
development
to carry out
product development out more
more responsible choices
activity.
activity. responsible choices
the use
consumption
the value of the
use ofchains.
consumption limited
through
thethrough
limited Earth’s
the
Earth’s
the resources
reintroduction
resources
reintroduction from
of
from
of used
usedthe population
materials
thematerials
population in
in during
the It is estimated that the adoption of the CE during
In this the
the product
product
scenario, development
development
the present activity.
activity.
work aims to contribute to
consumption
the value through
chains. It is the reintroduction
estimated that the of used
adoption materials
of the in
CE
in In
consumption
the
would valuereduce through
chains. both the
It isthe reintroduction
estimated
use of that
raw the of used materials
adoption
materials andof the
energyCE In this
this scenario,
answering scenario,
the
the
the present
following present
Research
work
work aims
aims to
Questions to contribute
contribute to
(RQs): to
the
would value chains.
reduce both It is
theestimated
use of that
raw the adoption
materials andof the
energyCE In this scenario, the present work aims to contribute
the value
would
consumption chains.
reduce by both It isto
up theestimated that
use of compared
80-90% raw the adoption
materials
to the andof the
energy
traditional CE In answering the
this scenario,
answering following
the following Research
the present
Research workQuestions
aims to
Questions contribute to
(RQs):
(RQs): to
would
consumption
would
consumption reduce
reduce by
by both
both up
up the
to
the
to use
80-90%
use
80-90% of
of raw
compared
raw
compared materials
to
materials
to the
the and
and energy
traditional
energy
traditional answering the following Research Questions (RQs):
linear economy model "take-make-use-dispose". Additionally, answering
RQ1)
RQ1) How the
to following
digitize theResearch
material Questions
lifecycle (RQs):
and what are the
consumption
linear
consumption
linear economy
economy by
bymodel
modelup
up to 80-90%
80-90% compared
to"take-make-use-dispose".
compared
"take-make-use-dispose". to
to%the
the traditional
Additionally,
traditional
Additionally, RQ1) How
useful How
information
to
to digitize
digitize
to be
the
the material
material
stored in the
lifecycle
lifecycle
digital
and
and what
Material what are
are the
Passport?the
the
linear
the product
economy
product costs
costsmodel can
can be reduced by
"take-make-use-dispose".
be reduced by 25-30
25-30 % too (Ahmed,
Additionally,
too (Ahmed, RQ1)
useful How
informationto digitize
to be the material
stored in the lifecycle
digital and
Material what are
Passport?the
linear
the producteconomy model
costs can "take-make-use-dispose".
be reduced by 25-30 Additionally,
% too (Ahmed, RQ1)
useful How
informationto digitize
to be the material
stored in the lifecycle
digital and
Material what are
Passport?the
Nazzal,
the
Nazzal, and
product
and Darras
costs
Darras 2021),
can be
2021), (Tolio
reduced
(Tolio et
et al.
by
al. 2017).
25-30
2017). % too (Ahmed, useful information to be stored in the digital Material Passport?
the product costs can be reduced
Nazzal, and Darras 2021), (Tolio et al. 2017). by 25-30 % too (Ahmed, useful
RQ2)
RQ2) information
What effects to be
can stored
the in
Internet the digital
of Material
Materials Passport?
have on the
Nazzal,
Nazzal, and
and Darras
Darras 2021),
2021), (Tolio
(Tolio et
et al.
al. 2017).
2017). RQ2) What
What effects
sustainability effects
and
can
can the
circularitythe Internet
Internet
of
of
of Materials
products? Materials have have on on the
the
A circular business needs information relating to location, RQ2)
A
A circular
circular business
business needs
needs information
information relating
relating to
to location,
location, RQ2) What
What effects
sustainability
sustainability and
effects can
can the
and circularity
circularitythe Internet
of
of products?
Internet of
of Materials
products? Materials have have on on the
the
conditions,
A circular
conditions, and availability
business
and needs
availability of materials,
information
of materials, as well
relating
as well as
astoit
it requires
location,
requires sustainability and circularity of products?
A circular
conditions, business
and needs
availability information
of materials, relating
as well astoit location,
requires sustainability
The
The article is and circularity
structured as of products?
follows. Section 2 reports the
aconditions,
coordination
aaconditions,
coordination
coordination and
and
between
availability
between
availability
between
material
of
material
material
and
of materials,
and
materials,
information
as
as well
and information well as
information
flows
it (Berg
it requires
asflows
flows (Berg
requires
(Berg The article
currentarticle
literature
is
is structured
structured
related to
as
asthe follows.
follows.
digital
Section
Section
passport
2
2ofreports
reports
materials.
the
the
et aet al. 2020).
coordination Therefore,
between to effectively
material and implement
information the
flows CE,(Bergan The
The article
current literature
article
current literatureis
is structured
related
structured
related to
toas
as the
thefollows.
digital
follows.
digital Section
passport
Section
passport 2
2 of
ofreports
materials.
reports
materials.the
the
al. 2020).
a coordination
et al. 2020). Therefore,
between
Therefore, to effectively
material
toinformation implement
and information
effectively implement the
flows CE,
the CE, (Bergan
an Section 33 summarizes fundamental concepts of the circular
efficient
et al. flow
2020). of resource
Therefore, to effectively among
implement stakeholders
the CE, in
an current
Section
current
Section literature
3 summarizes
literature
summarizes related
related to
to the
fundamental
the
fundamental digital
digital passport
concepts
passport
concepts of
of of
the
of
thematerials.
circular
materials.
circular
efficient
et al.value flow
2020).
efficient flow of resource
Therefore,
ofisresource information
toinformation
effectively among
implement
among stakeholders
thetheCE,
stakeholders in
in material
an lifecycle. Section 44 shows the proposed architecture
the chain required. This represents one of main Section
material
Section
material 3 summarizes
3lifecycle.
summarizes
lifecycle. Section
Section fundamental
4 shows
fundamentalshows concepts
the proposed
concepts
the proposed of the
the circular
of architecture
circular
architecture
efficient
the value
efficient
the value flow
chain
flow
chain of
of resource
is required.
resource
is required. information
This
information
This among
represents
among
represents stakeholders
one of the
stakeholders
one of the main
mainin
in for establishment of the digital passport of materials. Some
difficulties, mainly due to the following reasons: (i), scarce material
for
material
for lifecycle.
establishment
lifecycle.
establishment Section
of the
Section
of the 4
digital
4
digital shows
shows the
passport
the
passport proposed
of
proposed
of architecture
materials. Some
architecture
materials. Some
the
the value
difficulties,
value
difficulties, chain
mainly
chain
mainly is
is required.
due
required.
due to
to This
the
This
the represents
following
represents
following one
reasons:
one
reasons: of
of the
(i),
the
(i), main
scarce
main
scarce examples of the information to be stored are also provided.
awareness of the need for circular information; (ii), lack of for
for establishment
examples of
establishment
examples of the
the of
of the
information
the
information digital
digital to
to passport
be stored
passport
be stored of
ofare
arematerials.
also
materials.
also Some
provided.
Some
provided.
difficulties,
awareness
difficulties,
awareness ofmainly
the
ofmainly
the need due
need
due to
for the
circular
to the
for circularfollowing
following reasons:
information;
reasons:
information; (i),
(ii), scarce
lack
(i),lack
(ii), scarceof
of Section 55 of describes the IoM platform, its requirements and
system for sharing values along material lifecycle; (iii), examples
Section
examples
Section 5 of the
describes
the
describes information
the
information
the IoM
IoM to
to be
platform,
be
platform,stored
storedits
its are
are also
requirements
also
requirements provided.
and
provided.
and
awareness
system
awareness
system for
for of
of the
sharing
the
sharing need
need for
values
for
values circular
along
circular
along information;
material
information;
material (ii),
lifecycle;
(ii),
lifecycle; lack
lack of
(iii),
of
(iii), effects to support the development of more sustainable
information
system for uncertainty
sharing about
values resources;
along (iv),
material limited
lifecycle; sharing
(iii), Section
effects
Section
effects to
to5
5 describes
support
describes
support the
the IoM
IoM platform,
development
platform,
development its
of
its
of requirements
more sustainable
requirements
more sustainableand
and
information
system
information uncertainty
for uncertainty
sharing about
values
about resources;
along
resources; (iv),
material limited
(iv), lifecycle;
limited sharing
(iii), products.
sharing Finally, Section 66 concludes the paper by answering
of information
information due
uncertainty to fear
about of competition;
resources; (iv), (v),
limited limited
sharing effects
products.
effects
products. to
to support
Finally,
support
Finally, the
Section
the
Section development
concludes
development
6 concludes of
the
of
the more
paper
more
paper by
by sustainable
answering
sustainable
answering
of information
information
of information due
uncertainty
due to fear
to about of competition;
resources;
fearrecovering
of competition;(iv), (v),
limited limited
(v),ofsharing
limited to the RQsFinally,and by Section
providing the next challenges to address.
knowledge about resources at the end usage products.
to the
the RQs
products.
to RQsFinally,and
and by providing
by Section
providing 6
6 concludes
the
the next
concludes the
the paper
paper by
next challenges
challenges to answering
to address.
by answering
address.
of
of information
knowledge
information
knowledge about
about due
due to
resources
to
resources fear
fear of
recovering
of
recovering competition;
at
competition;
at the
the (v),
end
(v),
end of
of limited
usage
limited
usage
(Kurilova-Palisaitiene, Lindkvist, and Sundin 2015). to
to the
the RQs
RQs and
and by
by providing
providing
2. RELATED the
the next
next
WORKS challenges
challenges to
to address.
address.
knowledge about
(Kurilova-Palisaitiene, resources
Lindkvist, recovering
and at
Sundin the end
2015). of usage 2.
knowledge about resources
(Kurilova-Palisaitiene,
(Kurilova-Palisaitiene,
Lindkvist,
Lindkvist,
recovering
and Sundin
and
at the2015).
Sundin
end of usage
2015). 2. RELATED
RELATED WORKS WORKS
A (Kurilova-Palisaitiene,
promising approach Lindkvist,
to address and
this Sundin
challenge 2015).
is to exploit The application of 2.
the
2. RELATED
digital
RELATED materialWORKS
WORKS passport is still aa novelty
A promising approach to address this challenge is to exploit The application of the digital material passport is
the A promising
digital approach
technologies to address
and this
create challenge
a digital is to exploit
identity of The
and application
needs to be of the
further digital
explored material
in the passport is still
manufacturing
novelty
still adomain.
novelty
A
the
A
the promising
digital
promising
digital approach
technologies
approach
technologies to
to address
and
address
and this
create
this
create challenge
a digital
challenge
a digital is
is to
to exploit
identity
exploit
identity of
of The
and
The application
needs
applicationto be of
of the
further
the digital
explored
digital material
in
material the passport is
manufacturing
passport is still
still a
a novelty
domain.
novelty
materials, namely the Material Passport (MP). MP can be Aand needs
similar to be
conceptfurtherhas explored
been in the
defined manufacturing
in the building domain.
and
the
the digital
materials,
digital technologies
namely
technologies
materials,ofnamely the
the Materialand
Material
and create
Passport
create
Passport a
a digital
(MP).
digital
(MP).in MP identity
MP can
identity
can theof
be
of and
A needs
similar
be construction
andsimilar to
needs toconcept be
concept
be further
furtherhas explored
been
explored in the
defined
in the manufacturing
in the
manufacturing building domain.
and
domain.
thought as a digital information system which A field. In has
the been
work defined
proposed in
by the building
(Honic, and
Kovacic,
materials,
thought
materials,
thought of
of namely
as
namely
as a
a the
digital
the
digital Material
information
Material
information Passport
Passport system
system(MP).
(MP). in
in MP
MPwhich
which can
can be
the
be
the A
A similar
construction
similar concept
field.
concept Inhas
the
has been
work
been defined
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1492 Luigi Panza et al. / IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496
based MP was to assist the design stages for building
optimization, as well as to act as inventory at the building’s
end of usage. Also the work of (Atta, Bakhoum, and Marzouk
2021) developed a BIM-based MP framework by providing
three quantitative sustainability indicators (de-
constructability, recovery, and environmental scores) to
support builders in the choice of sustainable constructive
solutions since the early design stages.
The importance of digitize information related to the product
lifecycle and especially for the manufacturing phase is
described in several works (Bruno, Lentes, and Zimmermann
2016), (Bruno, Taurino, and Villa 2018). A work most focused
on the recycling purpose is presented (Wang and Wang 2019).
The authors proposed a Digital Twin (DT) model for the Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) to support
remanufacturing operations at the product’s end of usage.
Their model entails to adopt a product data model based on
ISO standard and to adopt the concept of DT from product
design stage to recovery phase by means of Industry 4.0
technologies.
More recently, the work of (Berger, Schöggl, and Baumgartner
2021) proposed a conceptual framework for the development
of a Digital Battery Passport (DBP) for Electric Vehicles
(EVs). They provided the information needed to fulfill DBP
considering four different perspectives such as: (i), battery:
(ii), sustainability and circularity; (iii), diagnostics,
performance, and maintenance; (iv) value chain actors. The
aim was to support the decision-making process for a
sustainable management of electric batteries.
When it comes to the management of material flows, different
standpoints can be adopted according to different levels of
detail, that are: (i), the higher level, i.e., the product-level,
intended as an assembled of components providing to the
customer the required functions (e.g., car); (ii), the
intermediate level, i.e., the component-level, intended as a sub-
assembly of the final product made of several fundamental
parts (e.g., engine); (iii), the lower level, i.e., the part-level, a
material properly shaped and processed to constitute a finished
part belonging to a component (e.g., steel crankshaft) (Berg et
al. 2020),(Parchomenko et al. 2020). Depending on the
product complexity, product and/or component and/or part can
sometimes coincide as the same entity.
3. CIRCULAR MATERIAL LIFECYCLE
We decided to adopt the classical model of circular material
lifecycle characterized by the following main phases.
• Sourcing: it represents the phase where primary raw
materials are produced, or secondary (recycled) materials
are employed. Such phase can be composed of several
steps, starting from the extraction of the material from
mines, up to the production of intermediate goods (bars,
tubes, sheets, etc.) which represent the raw materials of
the manufacturing companies.
• Processing: it represents the manufacturing phase of a
product where raw materials are processed and shaped to
form a finished part with ready-to-use properties. In the
case of a multi-part product, shaped materials (parts) are
then assembled together.
• Usage: it corresponds to the operative phase of a product
where materials provide their functionality to the user.
During operations, the materials conditions degrade over
time.
• Recovery: in the CE paradigm, at the end of usage,
materials are not disposed, but recovered according to
different possible strategies described in the following.
At the end of Usage, different scenarios can be carried out
depending both on the material conditions and on the
knowledge possessed by the stakeholders involved in the
recovery process. Such scenarios can be summarized in
reusing, regeneration, and recycling. Particularly, reusing is
applied when the entire product, component, or specific part,
has still good conditions to continue providing functionality
without requiring significative restoring interventions (unless
some cleaning and slight maintenance operations).
Regeneration entails to take back the materials in the
processing phase and restore it to its initial conditions; this
phase is also known as Remanufacturing. Finally, recycling of
materials requires the total disassembling of the
product/component to feed the Sourcing phase of the material
lifecycle as secondary raw materials.
4. DIGITAL MATERIAL PASSPORT
Differently from the previous works, our approach consists of
tracking the material-related information along all the lifecycle
phases through the digitization and transferring of the material
properties among the stakeholders involved in the value chain.
Starting from the first step of the sourcing phase, the material
information is stored in a digitized information system, i.e., the
Material Passport, which will flow together with the physical
material. From this step, the material will feed the subsequent
stages and each receiver stakeholder will update the MP
according to its working information. In this way, a single MP
diffuses in multiple MPs by generating a ramification of MPs
that will form different value chains. Figure 1 displays such
information flow. For the sake of simplicity, we refer just to
the four material lifecycle phases previously described
(Sourcing, Processing, Usage, Recovery). Based on the
specific considered application, each phase can be composed
by several different steps that will be managed with the same
approach.
 Luigi Panza et al. / IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496
Figure 1 Generation and incremental update of material passport through the material lifecycle
4.1 Digital Material Passports based on Cyber-Physical
Systems
The advancements in computers, sensors, and communication
technologies, have made possible the coupling between the
real and the virtual world related to a physical asset (product,
machine, etc.) by forming the so-called Cyber-Physical
Systems (CPSs). In CPSs, data are collected from the physical
world, pre-processed at the edge side close to the
product/machine, and then sent to the cyberspace, the digital
environment, where information are extracted and used to
improve the decision-making activity (Lee et al. 2020).
Today, CPSs find applications in all the material lifecycle
phases (Ahmed, Nazzal, and Darras 2021). In the Sourcing
phase, most of the primary raw materials come from extraction
processes. Environmental impacts and human health risks are
two main issues to be faced during such activities. CPSs can
be exploited to safely automatize operations, as well as to
collect material properties. In the Processing phase, CPSs are
widely used to control manufacturing processes, monitor
machines, schedule production and maintenance activities.
Important data relating to the processing of materials can be
recorded and converted into information in the cyberspace.
During the Usage phase, CPSs are largely used to monitor
product conditions and predict maintenance interventions for
product life extension (Ahmed, Nazzal, and Darras 2021).
For such reasons, CPSs can be used to get the material-related
information and write them in the digital MP.
Several CPS architectures can be found in literature; the so-
called 5C architecture is one of the most famous and it can be
used as a reference for the present work (Lee, Bagheri, and
Kao 2015). For the establishment of the digital MP just three
layers can be employed.
The first layer is the Physical Space, where data come from the
sensors embedded on physical assets are gathered and sent to
1493
the Cyber-Physical Interface. The latter represents the second
layer, where data are processed and converted into information
by exploiting mainly statistical analysis and machine learning
algorithms. The third layer is constituted by the Cyberspace,
where information is further processed and converted in
knowledge through data analytics, and artificial intelligence
tools.
Figure 2 displays the framework conceived for the material
lifecycle digitization. Stakeholders belonging to the Sourcing
phase connect their cyberspaces to the digital MP to
automatically write the material-related information. When the
physical material flows to the next phase, i.e., the Processing
phase, the stakeholders will update the digital MP by adding
new information coming from their cyberspaces. When the
finished product is delivered to the final customer for the
Usage phase, usually a break in the material information flow
happens (Preut, Kopka, and Clausen 2021); the user might not
take care to detect the material conditions and update the
associated material passport. However, in such phase the
materials information can be detected in different ways. If the
product is embedded with sensors, the digital MP can be
updated using data collected during operations and exploit
Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) techniques to
assess the material conditions. Otherwise, the material
conditions can be detected at the end of usage phase by
employing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques, such
as thermographic inspection, ultrasonic testing, computed
tomography, just to name a few. Furthermore, reverse
engineering techniques, such as 3D scanning systems, can be
also used to detect geometrical changes of the used material.
At the end of Usage, according to the selected Recovery
scenario, different properties can be detected and stored in the
digital MP. At this time, the material will be re-integrated in
the economy and new Usage, Processing, or Sourcing
information will be written in the digital MP through the
cyberspaces of the involved stakeholders.
1494 Luigi Panza et al. / IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496
Figure 2 Material passport propagation along the material lifecycle. Solid lines refer to the physical flow, whereas dashed lines refer to the information flow
The adoption of such a architecture can offer several
advantages to the involved stakeholders. Since 2018,
companies operating in the European Union and the United
States are required to publish a Sustainability Report (SR)
about their activities. The information written in the digital MP
by the stakeholders can act as proof of compliance with
environmental and social requirements. Such information can
be included in the SR and improve the brand image and
corporate reputation. Digital MP information can also be used
by third independent organizations to assess sustainability
indices. High performance in this area can be turned in
competitive advantage (Ashby 2020). Additionally, as the
digital MP give transparency to the entire material lifecycle,
ethical concerns in the material sourcing, poor environmental
responsibility in manufacturing, and overconsuming in the
usage phase, can more easily detected and addressed.
In the following paragraphs we provide some examples of the
useful information to be stored in the digital MP. Based on the
specific material and application, some fields may be left
blank.
4.2 Sourcing information
Sourcing steps are carried out in compliance with the relevant
international standards in terms of safety of operations,
limitation of the environmental impact and properties of the
materials to be certified. In these stages the information can be
normalized (i.e., per unit of kg or ton) and categorized as
follows.
• Geographical properties: geographical localization
of the operations, etc.
• Eco-properties: embodied energy, equivalent CO2
emissions, water consumption, energy consumption
for transport, equivalent CO2 emissions for transport,
etc.
• Technical properties: Chemical (chemical
composition, toxicity, corrosion resistance, etc.),
Mechanical (density, elastic modulus, tensile
strength, fatigue strength, etc.), Thermal (thermal
conductivity, thermal expansion, melting point, etc.),
Electrical (electrical resistivity, capacitance,
dielectric constant, etc.), etc.
4.3 Processing information
Manufacturing operations are carried out by complying with
specific standards aimed to guarantee human safety, to limit
the environmental impact, and to certify the product
performance. Examples of some information to be recorded
and stored in the material passport are listed below.
• Geographical properties: geographical localization of
the operations, etc.
• Eco-properties: processing energy, equivalent CO2
emissions, water consumption, energy consumption
for transport, equivalent CO2 emissions for transport,
etc.
• Technical properties: Geometrical (2D drawing of
the shaped material, CAD model, etc.), Assembly
(assembly mode, assembly time, etc.), update of
previous properties.
4.4 Usage information
During operations, material properties change over time
because of different deterioration mechanisms. The most
significative changes must be detected to update the material
passport.
• Geographical properties: geographical localization of
the operations, etc.
• Eco-properties: energy consumption, equivalent CO2
emissions, water consumption, energy consumption
for transport, equivalent CO2 emissions for transport,
etc.
• Technical properties: Maintenance (maintenance
mode, maintenance time, etc.), update of previous
properties.
• Usage properties: usage time, usage mode, etc.
4.5 Recovery information
Once the product reaches its end of usage, recovery activities
should be tracked and added to the material passport. The
recovery process is different according to the selected recovery
scenario.
 Luigi Panza et al. / IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496
• Geographical properties: geographical localization of
the operations, etc.
• Eco-properties: energy consumption, equivalent CO2
emissions, water consumption, energy consumption
for transport, equivalent CO2 emissions for transport,
etc.
• Technical properties: Disassembly (disassembly
mode, disassembly time, etc.), update of previous
properties.
4.6 Reusage, Regeneration, Recycling information
When the material is re-integrated in economy, it can be
reused, regenerated, or recycled. According to the selected
scenario, new Usage, Processing, or Sourcing information will
be updated in the material passport.
5. INTERNET OF MATERIALS
The establishment of the digital MP can create new
opportunities for CE businesses. To take full advantages of its
adoption, digital MPs need to be shared in an online platform
to create a digital network, namely, Internet of Materials
(IoM), in order to increase the visibility and availability of the
materials in the economy. In Figure 3 is represented the idea.
Figure 3 Material Passports sharing on Internet of Materials
IoM should act as an eco-collaborative tool, where users can
discover new opportunities to reintegrate materials in the value
chains.
The platform would allow to search materials according to
specific requirements and filters based on the user priorities;
the search engine would automatically match the requirements
with the material information stored in the digital MPs
available in IoM. When a match occurs, the material can be
directly sold to the buyer, or, if it’s required, a collaboration
between the user and the material owner can start to get more
information. The user should have the possibility to leave
comments and recensions about other users’ community.
Recommender Systems can further support the user in the
material selection process when he/she starts a search.
IoM should be equipped with sustainability assessment tools
that read data contained in the digital MPs and calculate
different sustainability indicators for the user by supporting
him/her in evaluating different material alternatives.
1495
Furthermore, users can find more easily materials that are
geographically closest to them. In this way, the environmental
impact associated with the long transport distance typical of
centralized manufacturing systems can be drastically cut by
enabling a new paradigm of product manufacturing, i.e.,
Distributed Manufacturing Systems (Rauch et al. 2016).
IoM should be capable to interact with other collaborative
platforms already existing. For example, SYNERGY platform
is an open innovation platform where users’ community can
collaborate for the co-creation of products. MFG is an online
marketplace where buyers can order customized parts and find
new manufacturers directly on the platform. IoM might act as
a supporting tool for the co-creation of circular products,
assisting the community of the other platforms in the choice of
circular materials.
6. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
This work proposes a framework for the digitization of
material lifecycle information. Material properties are
encapsulated in a digital material passport that flows together
with the physical material throughout the lifecycle phases.
Material passports are then shared in an online platform to
form a digital network, the Internet of Materials, where the
users are supported to develop more sustainable and circular
products.
It’s possible now to answer to the first RQ1): How to digitize
the material lifecycle and what are the useful information to be
stored in the digital Material Passport?
Today, Cyber-Physical Systems are increasingly employed
along the materials lifecycle. They are often used to improve
working activities by processing real-world data in a proper
digital environment, i.e., the cyberspace. The latter could be
directly used to send the material-related information in the
digital MP. In such a way, the stakeholders would exploit a
technology already in use (CPS). Furthermore, the information
sent to the digital MP can be used by the stakeholders as a
proof of compliance with the international standards, as well
as for Sustainability Reporting, which is mandatory for the
companies operating in EU and US. General examples of the
information to be stored in the digital MP are provided in
Section 4.
Additionally, it’s possible to provide the answer for the second
RQ2): What effects can the Internet of Materials have on the
sustainability and circularity of products?
IoM would represent a network of digital MPs where
opportunities for reuse, regenerate, and recycle materials are
increased. First, the IoM would support users in a more
responsible choice of materials through sustainability
assessment tools directly integrated into the platform reading
data written in the digital MPs and calculating the
sustainability indicators for the user. Then, new circular
opportunities can arise thanks to the communication and
exchange of knowledge among platform’s users. Finally,
many technologies today rely on the so-called Critical Raw
Materials (CRMs) by exposing their supply chains to high risk
for disruption. IoM would allow to more easily identify the
CRMs contained in the products. It would also offer the
1496 Luigi Panza et al. / IFAC PapersOnLine 55-10 (2022) 1491–1496
possibility to lower the risk for a supply chain disruption,
thanks to the exploration of potential substitutes for CRMs, as
well as the increasing of their recovery.
One of the crucial points to promote the development of the
MP is related to the security aspects of data. Stakeholders need
protection about their data sharing activities; crypto-anchors
and blockchain technologies can help face this challenge
(World Economic Forum 2018). Data standardization is
another critical issue to be addressed; to effectively increase
circular practices, knowledge exchange among stakeholders
across different value chains need to be facilitated. Then, an
efficient management and coordination of all the material
passports shared in IoM is required. To this aim, the existing
collaborative platform can represent a reference starting point.
It's worth to note that the final goal is a more sustainable
production and consumption of the planet’s resources.
Digitization is not emission-free. Indeed, ICT technology
require a significant amount of energy with associated
emissions. ICT sector is responsible from 5 % to 9 % of the
total electricity demand, and it’s expected to increase up to 20
% by 2030. Digitization offers invaluable opportunities
towards circular economy, but such transition should be
coupled with an increase of renewables and energy efficiency
(Berg et al. 2020).
Our future research will be focused on the development of an
analytical case study to characterize more in detail the
structure of the digital passport of materials.
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