Materials Packaging with Virtual Sorting

Abstract

Disclosed are computer-implemented methods, systems, and apparatus for operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method and respective systems, devices, uses and computer elements for providing a material identifier package that can be used for recycling materials. [Background technology]

[0002] Technology background The general background of the present disclosure relates to material recycling. Material recycling processes are highly decentralized and inflexible. In view of the increasing need for material recycling, there is a need to operate the recycling process more reliably and flexibly. US Patent Application Publication No. 2016371658 discloses (i) using a mobile device to identify recyclable materials based on a detected vibration frequency of an oscillator associated with the recyclable materials, and (iii) creating a scheduling instruction for the identified recyclable materials by a controller. WO2013184217 discloses a method, system, and apparatus for receiving a first plurality of product identifiers associated with products purchased by a consumer to form a purchase record. A second plurality of product identifiers associated with products to be recycled by the consumer is received. The record of the products purchased by the consumer to be recycled is authenticated. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014106185 discloses that while a rechargeable battery may be used with a network-enabled device, the rechargeable battery may be recycled through a cycle that includes one or more of determining the battery's condition, updating a rechargeable battery database with the battery's condition over a network, determining recycling instructions, and outputting the recycling instructions to the network-enabled device. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Summary of the Invention Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for providing a material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product, the method comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; Includes.

[0004] Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for providing a materials identifier package usable for recycling materials contained in a product in a decentralized computing environment or for operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, the method comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled, where the material composition data associated with materials used in the production of the product or the component of the product is provided by a non-central computing node associated with a producer producing or using the materials, and optionally the material composition data associated with materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product is accessed by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems or sorting instructions; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; - Driving the recycling process, preferably by providing a material identifier package for controlling and / or monitoring the recycling system. Includes.

[0005] A computer-implemented method for operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package is disclosed, the method comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; Includes.

[0006] Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, the method comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - providing at least one material identifier package usable for recycling materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier, the at least one material identifier package including a collection of product identifiers associated with the at least one product or at least one component of the product to be recycled and associated with at least one material configuration that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant; - operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with the at least one product identifier based on the at least one material identifier package. Includes.

[0007] Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package, the method comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package that can be used for recycling materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier. Includes.

[0008] Also disclosed is an apparatus for providing a material identifier package that can be used to recycle a material contained in a product, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; It is a structure that allows the following to be executed.

[0009] Also disclosed is an apparatus for operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; It is a structure that allows the following to be executed.

[0010] Disclosed is an apparatus for operating a product recycling process in a decentralized computing environment that provides a material identifier package usable for recycling materials contained in a product or that recycles materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of a product to be recycled, where the material composition data associated with materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product is accessed by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems, and the material composition data associated with materials used in the production of the product or component of the product is provided by a non-central computing node associated with a producer that produces or uses the materials; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - providing at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier; - Driving the recycling process, preferably by providing a material identifier package for controlling and / or monitoring the recycling system. It is a structure that allows the following to be executed.

[0011] Disclosed is an apparatus for operating a product recycling process to recycle materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - providing at least one material identifier package usable for recycling materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier, the at least one material identifier package including a collection of product identifiers associated with the at least one product or at least one component of the product to be recycled and associated with at least one material configuration that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant; - operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with the at least one product identifier based on the at least one material identifier. It is a structure that allows the following to be executed.

[0012] Also disclosed is an apparatus for operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by the material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant, - operating a product recycling process by providing at least one material identifier package that can be used for recycling materials contained in a product that includes at least one product identifier. It is a structure that allows the following to be executed.

[0013] Further disclosed is the use of a product or at least one component of a product that includes at least one product identifier element in any of the methods disclosed herein or with any of the devices disclosed herein. Further disclosed is a method of using a product or at least one component of a product that includes at least one product identifier element, the method including the step of providing a product identifier by reading the product identifier element and generating at least one material identifier package provided by any of the methods disclosed herein or by any of the devices disclosed herein.

[0014] Further disclosed is the use of a material identifier package provided according to any of the methods disclosed herein or by any of the apparatuses disclosed herein for sorting, collecting, transporting, storing, and / or recycling a product to be recycled or at least one component of a product to be recycled, the method comprising the steps of providing a material identifier package provided according to any of the methods disclosed herein or by any of the apparatuses disclosed herein, generating sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions based on the material identifier package and providing the sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions.

[0015] Also disclosed is a method of sorting, collecting, transporting, storing, and / or recycling a product to be recycled or at least one component of a product to be recycled, the method including the steps of providing at least one material identifier package generated by any of the methods disclosed herein, generating sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions based on the provided material identifier package, and providing the sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions.

[0016] Also disclosed is an apparatus for sorting, collecting, transporting, storing, and / or recycling products to be recycled or at least one component of products to be recycled, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of providing at least one material identifier package generated by any of the methods disclosed herein; generating sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions based on the provided material identifier package; and providing the sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions.

[0017] Also disclosed are computing elements, such as computer programs or computer readable storage media having instructions that, when executed by one or more computing nodes of a computing environment, are configured to perform the steps of any of the methods disclosed herein and / or perform steps provided by any of the apparatuses disclosed herein.

[0018] Any disclosures and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, systems, uses, devices, and computer elements disclosed herein, and vice versa. Advantages provided by any of the embodiments and examples provided herein apply equally to all other embodiments and examples, and vice versa.

[0019] Advantageously, the disclosure referenced herein provides an efficient, sustainable and robust way of operating a recycling process. By virtually sorting and / or collecting at least one component of the product or product to be recycled and by virtually packaging at least one component of the product or product to be recycled based on material composition, the resulting material composition of the recycled material can be virtually tracked. Such tracking can be provided across different stages of the recycling process to different participants, including the producer. Through tracking of components via identity-based data footprints in a decentralized computing environment, operating the recycling process is simpler since it operates digitally instead of physically. Such digital operation reduces the complexity of the physical processing environment. For example, recycling processes and plant operations can be simplified. For example, complex separation processes due to inappropriate mixing in the recycling feed can be avoided, reducing the burden on purification or other process steps. In particular, by identifier-based sorting or collection, waste materials fed into the recycling process can be managed in terms of material composition or chemical composition. Furthermore, the composition of the recycled material can be adapted to the production needs throughout the recycling chain, thus increasing the quantity of recyclates. As a result, by virtually sorting the recycled materials according to their composition throughout the recycling process steps, the quantities of recyclates and materials produced from such recyclates can be maintained compared to materials produced solely from natural sources.

[0020] A product may refer to any final product that includes recycled materials. The at least one component of a product to be recycled may include a single component or multiple components of a single product type or multiple product types. The at least one product or at least one component of a product to be recycled may include multiple products or multiple components of products. The at least one component of a product may include any component, any combination of components, or one or more products having one, more than two, or all of the components.

[0021] Recycling of materials contained in a product may include materials from any recycling process from the end of the product's life to any recyclates that can be used to produce a new product. The new product produced from the recyclates may be a different product type than the final product being recycled. In other words, the new product produced from the recycled materials may be a different product type than the recycled product from which the recycled materials or recyclates are produced. The recycling process may include collection, dismantling, sorting, mechanical processing, chemical processing, thermal processing, or any other process to convert used materials into raw materials to be recycled. Recycling of materials contained in a product may include recycling of one or more components of the product. Recycling of materials contained in a product may include one or more recycling processes that convert used materials into raw materials to be recycled. The recycled raw materials may be used to produce new materials. The new materials may be used to produce the final product.

[0022] A factory may include any factory that processes products, product components, or product materials. Such processing may include recycling or production. A factory may perform one or more process steps, such as product collection, disassembly, sorting machine processing, chemical processing, heat processing, production, production of product components, production of materials, or any other process for converting used materials of used products into recycled raw materials or new products. Recycling instructions may include collection, sorting, transportation, storage, other process instructions, or any combination thereof related to the recycling process. Such recycling instructions may be provided to one or more systems configured to monitor and / or control process steps, such as collection, sorting, transportation, storage, other process instructions, or any combination thereof.

[0023] The material identifier package may include any data structure relating product identifiers according to at least one material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one plant or recycling plant. The material identifier package may include one or more product identifiers associated with at least one material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant. The material identifier package may include a collection of product identifiers associated with at least one or more products or at least one or more components of a product to be recycled and associated with at least one material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant. The material identifier package may include any data for collecting, sorting, transporting, storing, processing, or providing products or components for a subsequent recycling step. The material identifier package may include product or component identifiers and corresponding material composition data associated with material compositions that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant. The material identifier package may include product or component recycling classification data or instructions. The material identifier package may further include operational data and / or product or component location data indicating process requirements for the material composition. In other words, the materials identifier package may include data that allows for the selection or allocation of products or components to be recycled to at least one respective recycling plant.

[0024] The product identifier may include any identifier uniquely associated with the product to be recycled or at least one component of the product to be recycled. The product identifier may include an identifier associated with the product and / or at least one component of the product. The product identifier may include two or more identifiers associated with the product and / or at least one component of the product. The product identifier may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the data owner and material composition data associated with the product to be recycled or at least one component of the product. The product identifier may include or be associated with one or more decentralized identifiers. The decentralized identifiers may include or be associated with one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) or digital identifiers (DIDs). The decentralized identifiers may be issued by a centralized or decentralized identity issuer. Through the decentralized identifiers and the unique association of the data owner with the material composition data, access to the material composition data may be controlled by the data owner. The data owner may be a material producer, a component producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more components, and / or a product producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more products. The data owner of the material identifier package and / or recycled material data may be one or more recycling systems or one or more plants, a component producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more components, and / or a product producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more products. The data owner of the plant data, plant allocation data, and / or operation data may be one or more recycling systems or one or more plants, a component producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more components, and / or a product producer that uses materials produced by the material producer to produce one or more products. This is in contrast to a centralized authority scheme, in which identifiers are provided by such a centralized authority and access to the data is controlled by such a centralized authority. In this context, decentralized refers to the use of identifiers in embodiments controlled by the data owner.The decentralized identifier may be connected to a digital representation of the environmental attribute. The digital representation may include a representation for accessing the environmental attribute or a portion thereof. The decentralized identifier may be linked to authentication and / or authorization information. The decentralized identifier may be connected to further product or component data.

[0025] A product identifier element may include any physical arrangement that associates a product identifier with a product or at least one component of a product. A product identifier element may include passive or active elements, such as, but not limited to, a QR code, an RFID tag. A product identifier element may be a physical identifier that is physically connected to a product or at least one component of a product. An identifier element may include a marker embedded in a material, a tag such as a barcode, a QR code, an RFID tag, or a similar physical configuration that allows a chemical product to be digitally identified.

[0026] The material composition data may include the material composition of the product or product component. The material composition data may be associated with at least one material type, at least one material property, and / or at least one chemical composition associated with at least one component of the product to be recycled. The material composition data may include the material type, material property, and / or chemical composition of the material used in the production of the product or product component. The material type, material property, and / or chemical composition may at least partially specify the material composition. The material type may include material specifications such as plastics, composites, metal-containing materials, etc. present in, but not limited to, the final product, intermediate product, by-product, or raw material. The material properties may include physical material properties, such as thermodynamic, mechanical, electrodynamic, optical, and acoustic material properties, as well as chemical properties, such as but not limited to standard potential. The chemical composition may correspond to at least one component included in the chemical composition. For example, the chemical composition may be specified by the absolute or relative amounts of one or more elements, chemical compounds, or components included in the material.

[0027] The material composition data may be associated with the material composition of one or more components of the product. The material composition data may specify the material composition on a component-by-component basis. For example, the material composition data may specify, at least in part, the chemical composition of one or more components of the product. The product identifier may be associated with any component of the product. The product identifier may be connected to or related to one or more identifiers relating to materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product.

[0028] In one embodiment, the material composition data is provided for access when providing materials for producing a product, when providing materials for at least one component of a product, and / or when producing materials used in the production of a product or at least one component of a product. The material composition data may be accessed when recycling a product or component that includes the material. A product identifier may be associated with the product to be recycled or at least one component of a product to be recycled. The association between the product identifier and the product, component, or material may be provided before or during the production of the product. The product identifier may be related to one or more decentralized identifiers, at least one of which is associated with materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product. The product identifier may be related to a relationship representation. The relationship representation may relate the product identifier to identifiers of materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product. The relationship representation may reflect the physical association of materials with the product, or in other words the use of the materials to produce the product. In this way, the product identifier and identifiers associated with materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product may be linked or related. When the product identifier is received, an identifier associated with a material used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product may be identified. Material composition data may be retrieved, in particular from a material producer, based on the identifier associated with a material used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product.

[0029] The product identifier may be uniquely associated with data owner and / or material composition data associated with a product or component, e.g., a material, a product, or materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product, that is provided prior to or during production of the product. The material composition data may specify the material composition of the materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product. Prior to or during production of the material, product, or at least one component of the product may include any point leading to the production of the material, product, or at least one component of the product. Prior to or during production of the material, product, or at least one component of the product may include at the time of material production, at the time of providing materials to produce the product or at least one component of the product, or at the time of production of the product or at least one component of the product.

[0030] The material composition data may be provided for access when providing materials to produce a product. The material composition data may be accessed during recycling of a product or at least one component of a product that includes the material. The material composition data may be accessed via a digital representation, such as a pointer, link, or link pointing to the material composition data. The material composition data may be accessed during recycling, for example, by reading a product identifier, by identifying an identifier associated with the material via the product identifier, for example through a relational representation, and by collecting at least a digital representation associated with the identifier associated with the material. The material composition data may be accessed via a digital representation linked to an identifier associated with a material used in the production of the product or a component of the product. The material composition data associated with a material used in the production of the product or a component of the product may be accessed or requested from a non-central computing node associated with the recycling system. The material composition data associated with a material used in the production of the product or a component of the product may be provided or obtained from a non-central computing node associated with a producer that produces or uses the material, such as a material producer, a product producer, and / or a component producer. Access to the material composition data may be based on a non-centralized identifier of the material used in the production of the product or a component of the product. The material composition data may be provided or transmitted by at least one non-central computing node associated with a producer that produces or uses the material, such as a material producer, a product producer, and / or a component producer. The material composition data may be provided or received by a non-central computing node associated with the recycling system.

[0031] In one embodiment, the material composition data relates to a chemical composition of the product or at least one component of the product. The material composition data may specify at least one component of the chemical composition of the product or component, such as a transition metal containing component, a precious metal containing component, or a plastic. The at least one production identifier may relate to a component of the product for which the material composition data specifies a material composition. The at least one product identifier may relate to a first component of the product including a second component for which the material composition data specifies a material composition. The at least one product identifier may relate to the product or at least one component of the product, and identifiers associated with materials used in the production of the product or at least one component of the product may relate to the at least one product identifier.

[0032] In one embodiment, the material composition data or recycled material data is provided by computer executable instructions executed at least in part in a decentralized or non-centralized computing environment, the computer executable instructions accessing the material composition data based on a product identifier or recycled material data based on a packaged product identifier or package identifier. The material composition data may be provided at the end of life of the product or at least one component of the product. The recycled material data may be provided at any stage of the recycling process of the product or at least one component of the product. With identity-based access, decentralized data services may be used for flexible and secure access to material data, such as recycled material data or material composition data, controlled by the data owner. In such an embodiment, the material composition data or recycled material data may be provided by a storage environment under the control of a material data provider, such as a material producer or a recycling system. Such a storage environment may be accessible by the computer executable instructions based on an authentication and / or authorization process or protocol. The computer executable instructions accessing the material composition data based on the product identifier may initiate data transfer and / or initiate data processing, followed by transfer of the processing results. Processing may include, for example, identification of the material identifier package. The computer executable instructions to access the recycled material data based on the packaged product identifier and / or the packaging identifier may initiate the data transfer. The material data provider may be a physical material provider or an owner of the material data. In the case of material composition data, the material data provider may be a material producer. The material composition data may be provided by a computing node of the decentralized computing environment, with which the material producer may be associated. In the case of recycled material data, the material data provider may be one or more recycling systems. The recycled material data may be provided by a computing node of the decentralized computing environment, with which the computing node may be associated. The material data provider may be a physical material provider or a third party that controls the material data on behalf of the material data owner.This allows material data owners to control the use of material composition data, and can enable secure data sharing or exchange across participants in the recycling or production chain.

[0033] In one embodiment, the at least one material identifier package includes one or more product identifiers and corresponding material composition data associated with the product or at least one component of the product to be recycled. In one embodiment, the at least one material identifier package includes material composition data associated with recycled materials produced from the product or at least one recycled component of the product, the material composition data being identified from the product identifiers and their corresponding material composition data. For example, the material identifier package may include at least one product package and corresponding material composition data associated with recycled materials produced from the product or at least one recycled component of the product. The material composition data may be identified from the product identifier package and their corresponding material composition data. Further, for example, the material identifier package may include one or more product or component identifiers and material composition data being identified from their corresponding material composition data. The recycled material data may include at least one packaging identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with recycled materials produced from the product or at least one recycled component of the product. In one embodiment, at least one material identifier package includes material quantity data associated with recycled materials produced from the product or at least one recycled component of the product, the material quantity data being identified from the product identifier and their corresponding material composition data. The material quantity data may include the number, mass, weight, or volume of the products, components, or materials being recycled.

[0034] At least one material identifier package may be associated with at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by at least one factory, such as a recycling factory or a production factory. With respect to the at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by the at least one factory, the factory may perform at least one process, such as a recycling process or a production process, on one or more material configurations. The at least one process, such as a predefined recycling process or a production process, may be predefined. The at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations that are processable or processed by the at least one factory in one or the same process run. The at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations that are processable or processed by the same factory or the same factory type. The at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations that are processable or processed together. The at least one material configuration that is processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations that are processable or processed in one factory. The at least one material configuration processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations processable or processed together in one or the same process run. The at least one material configuration processable or processed by the at least one factory may include material configurations assignable to one factory or process.

[0035] In one embodiment, identifying the at least one material identifier package includes providing classification instructions executed at least in part in the decentralized computing environment, the classification instructions collecting product identifiers according to material configurations processable or to be processed by the at least one factory.

[0036] In one embodiment, identifying the at least one material identifier package includes sorting according to sorting instructions providing a material composition processable or to be processed by the at least one factory. Sorting may be performed according to sorting instructions relating a material classification processable or to be processed by the at least one factory to the at least one product identifier.

[0037] In one embodiment, identifying the at least one material identifier package includes providing sorting instructions executed at least partially in a decentralized or decentralized computing environment, the sorting instructions collecting product identifiers according to material compositions that can be processed or are processed by at least one plant, such as one recycling plant. The sorting instructions may include collecting product identifiers based on material composition data and material compositions that can be processed or are processed by the at least one plant. The sorting instructions may include a classification of material compositions that can be processed or are processed by the at least one plant and a collection of product identifications according to the classification of material compositions. The sorting instructions may initiate a matching of material compositions provided by the material composition data with material compositions that can be processed or are processed by the at least one plant. The sorting instructions may relate the material composition data to plant identifiers and corresponding material compositions that can be processed or are processed by the plant. The sorting instructions may be dynamically adjustable based on operational data, in particular process data indicative of a current operation of the at least one plant.

[0038] Identity-based classification allows the classification service to be used for flexible and secure classification. In such an embodiment, the material composition data may be provided by a storage environment under the control of the material data provider. Such a storage environment may be accessible by the classification instruction based on an authentication and / or authorization process or protocol. The classification instruction accessing the material composition data based on the product identifier may initiate the classification, followed by the transfer of the classification results. The classification instruction may be triggered by one or more recycling processes at the time of recycling the product or at the end of life stage of the product. The classification instruction may access the material composition data via a product identifier provided by the material provider. The classification instruction may transfer the classification results to one or more recycling systems. The material composition data provider may be the provider of the physical material or the owner of the material composition data. The material composition data provider may be the provider or producer of the physical material or a third party that controls the material composition data on behalf of the material composition data owner. This allows the owner of the material composition data to control the use of the material composition data without sharing such data with the recycling system. In addition, it may enable secure data sharing or exchange across participants in the recycling or production chain.

[0039] In one embodiment, the at least one product identifier is provided from a sensor reading a product or component identifier element, which is physically connected to the product or at least one component of the product to be recycled. The identifier element may be physically connected to the product, e.g., the product housing, to uniquely identify the product. The identifier element may be physically connected to any component of the product, e.g., the product module, to uniquely identify the component of the product.

[0040] Also included may be the step of operating a recycling process by providing a material identifier package to control and / or monitor the recycling system. The identifier package may include a package identifier, such as a decentralized identifier. The identifier package may be provided to a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems. The identifier package may be generated by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems. The non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems may control and / or monitor the one or more recycling systems. Operating based on the at least one material identifier package may include operating a product recycling process to recycle materials included in a product associated with the at least one product identifier. Operating based on the at least one material identifier package may include operating the recycling process by providing collection instructions, sorting instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions configured to monitor and / or control the recycling system. Operating based on the at least one material identifier package may include operating the recycling process by providing collection instructions, sorting instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions configured to monitor and / or control the collection, sorting, transport, storage, and / or recycling, or each system. Operating based on the at least one material identifier package may include operating a recycling process by collecting, sorting, transporting, storing, and / or recycling materials contained in products associated with the at least one product identifier. Further included may be the step of operating the recycling process by collecting the product identifiers and providing the material identifier package to a recycling system and controlling and / or monitoring such a system. A product recycling process that recycles materials contained in products associated with the at least one product identifier may be operated based on the at least one material identifier package. The product recycling process may be operated by providing the material identifier package to the control and / or monitoring of the recycling system.The product recycling process may be operated by providing collection instructions, sorting instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions, and / or recycling instructions configured to monitor and / or control the collection, sorting, transport, storage, and / or recycling. The product recycling process may be operated by collecting, sorting, transporting, storing, and / or recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier. The recycling system may include a sorting system, a collector system, a transport system, and / or a storage system. The system may be controlled and / or monitored based on the material identifier package. Further included may be a step of sorting, collecting, transporting, and / or storing the recycled materials based on the material identifier package, preferably based on the sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, and / or storage instructions based on the material identifier package. The sorting system, collector system, transport system, and / or storage system may be monitored, controlled, and / or operated based on the material identifier package, preferably based on each instruction generated from the material identifier package. In the recycling process, the product or component may be packaged by providing a material identifier package according to the material composition of the product or component. Recycled materials may be provided by mechanical, thermal, and / or chemical recycling plants.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method further includes providing sorting instructions and / or collection instructions based on or generated from the provided material identifier package, the sorting instructions and / or collection instructions including instructions to sort and / or collect at least one component of the product to be recycled based on the material composition of the at least one component of the product to be recycled.

[0042] Also disclosed are methods and corresponding apparatus for providing sorting and / or collection instructions based on material identifier packages. Any method steps disclosed in conjunction with such methods may be performed by a corresponding apparatus including one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions configured to be executed by the one or more computing nodes. To generate and / or provide such instructions, the individual steps may be performed in combination with a method, system, apparatus, or computer element that provides a material identifier package or operates a recycling process.

[0043] Included may be a step of providing a material identifier package including at least one product identifier related to at least one material identifier package, the at least one material identifier package being associated with at least one material configuration that can be or is processed by the at least one factory.

[0044] Also included may be the step of generating sorting instructions based on the material identifier package, the sorting instructions relating the product identifiers provided by the sensor readings of the product or component identifier elements to material configurations processable or to be processed by the at least one factory. Preferably, the sorting instructions relate the product identifiers provided by the sensor readings to the at least one material identifier package.

[0045] Also included may be a step of generating collection instructions based on the material identifier package, the collection instructions relating the at least one material identifier package to a product identifier provided by a sensor reading of a product or component identifier element.

[0046] Further included may be the step of providing collection point data indicative of a collection point for the product or at least an on-component of the product. The collection point data may be included in the material identifier package.

[0047] Further included may be the step of providing transport and / or storage instructions based on or generated from the provided material identifier package. The transport and / or storage instructions may include information on how the product or at least one component of the product is to be transported and / or stored. The transport and / or storage instructions may relate to the location and / or quantity of the product or component of the product.

[0048] Also disclosed are methods and corresponding apparatus for providing transport and / or storage instructions based on a material identifier package. Any method steps disclosed in conjunction with such methods may be performed by a corresponding apparatus including one or more computing nodes and one or more computer readable media having computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions being configured such that when executed by the one or more computing nodes. To generate and / or provide such instructions, the individual steps may be performed in combination with a method, system, apparatus, or computer element that provides a material identifier package or operates a recycling process.

[0049] Further included may be a step of providing operational data associated with at least one operational characteristic of the plant. The operational data may relate to at least one plant identifier. The operational data may include corresponding plant location data associated with a plant location of the plant, capacity data associated with a capacity of the plant, process data associated with one or more processes of the plant, and / or material processing data associated with at least one material configuration that can be or is processed by the plant. The operational data may relate to at least one static operational characteristic of the plant and / or at least one dynamic operational characteristic of the same plant or plant type. The dynamic operational characteristic allows real-time insight into capacity, process data, and / or material processing data. Plants can be matched based on real-time information, thereby allowing for more efficient and targeted use of plant resources in the recycling process.

[0050] Further included may be the step of providing collection point data indicative of a collection point for the product or at least an on-component of the product. The collection point data may be included in the material identifier package.

[0051] Further included may be the step of generating transport instructions based on the collection point data and the operating data, in particular the factory location data. Based on such data, one or more transport routes may be determined. The collection point data may indicate a starting point of the transport, and the factory location data may indicate a destination point of the transport route.

[0052] Further included may be a step of determining storage instructions based on the operational data, in particular the capacity data and quantities related to the amount of material associated with the material composition that can be or will be processed by the at least one plant or quantities related to the amount of material having the material composition that can or will be processed by the at least one plant.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic representation of a battery having a battery identification element as an end of life product. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a battery component having a battery identification element as an end-of-life product. [Figure 3a] 1 illustrates example embodiments of centralized and decentralized computing environments having computing nodes. [Figure 3b] 1 illustrates example embodiments of centralized and decentralized computing environments having computing nodes. [Figure 3c] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a decentralized computing environment. [Figure 3d] 1 illustrates an example environment for making data accessible for processing. [Figure 4]1 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method for providing material identifier packages that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product, and in particular for operating a recycling process. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a flow chart for recycling materials contained in a product, and in particular for providing a materials identifier package that can be used to operate a recycling process. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an example data structure based on a decentralized identifier for a product. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates another example data structure based on a decentralized identifier for a product or component package. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a flow chart for providing plant allocation data that can be used to process recycled materials, and in particular, to operate a recycling process. [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a flow chart for providing plant allocation data that can be used to process recycled materials, and in particular, to operate a recycling process. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a flow chart for assigning plants to operate a recycling process. [Figure 11] 1 illustrates an example data structure based on a decentralized identifier for a material package or recycled material package in conjunction with a factory identifier. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates an example data structure based on a decentralized identifier for a material package or recycled material package in conjunction with a factory identifier. [Figure 13] 1 illustrates an example data structure based on a decentralized identifier for a material package or recycled material package in conjunction with a factory identifier. [Figure 14] 1 illustrates an example system for operating a recycling process in a recycling chain of end-of-life products. [Figure 15] 1 shows an example recycling chain for an end-of-life product. [Figure 16] 1 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for providing a recycle feed content to produce at least one component of an end-of-life product. [Figure 17] Another example method for providing a recycle feed content, optionally including selection of a production plant for producing at least one component of a product based on availability data, is illustrated. [Figure 18] Another example method is provided for providing a recycle feed content that includes a chemical performance check to produce at least one component of a product. [Figure 19] Another example method is provided for providing a recycle feed content, including an emission target check and optionally a plant selection, for producing at least one component of a product. [Figure 20] 13 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface for inputting recycling quotas, chemical performance parameters, or emission targets. [Figure 21] 13 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface for inputting recycling quotas, chemical performance parameters, or emission targets. [Figure 22] 13 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface for inputting recycling quotas, chemical performance parameters, or emission targets. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] Detailed Description of the Embodiments The following embodiments are merely examples for implementing the methods, systems, or computer elements disclosed herein and should not be considered as limiting.

[0056] 1 shows a schematic of a battery 10 having battery identification elements 12, 14. This is an arbitrary example of an end-of-life product. Any plastic package, electronic device, or other end-of-life product could equally be used, and the mere description with the battery example is not intended to limit the scope of the underlying concepts described herein.

[0057] The battery 10 may include a battery management system 16 and a number of battery cells 18 disposed within a battery housing 20. The battery cells 18 may be arranged in a battery pack or module that includes a number of the battery cells 18. The battery cells 10 may include an electrolyte 22, an anode element 24, a cathode element 26, and / or a separator 28.

[0058] Depending on the application, the battery has different material compositions in different components. For example, the battery can be a lithium-ion battery. The cathode element 26 can include an active material coated on a collector foil, such as an aluminum foil or a copper foil. An additional binder, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and / or carbon as a conductive agent can be included. The cathode active material can include layered oxides LiMO2, where M=Co, Ni, Mn, Al, e.g., LCO (LiCoO2), NCM (LiNixMnyCozO2), NCA (LiNixCoyAlzO2)), spinels (LiM2O4, where M=Mn, Ni, e.g., LMO (LiMnO4)), or phosphates (LiMPO4, where M=Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, e.g., LiFePO4).

[0059] The anode element 24 may include an anode active material coated on a collector foil, such as an aluminum foil or a copper foil. The active material may include synthetic graphite, natural graphite, or compositions thereof. The active material may include silicon, SiO2, lithium titanate (LTO), or combinations thereof. The active material may include a binder, e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), a polymeric thickener such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and a carbonate as a conductive agent.

[0060] The electrolyte may include salts, solvents, and additives such as carbonates, esters, or ethers that provide electrical conductivity. A mixture of cyclic carbonates such as ethylene carbonate (EC) or propylene carbonate (PC) with open-chain carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate (DMC) may be included. As conductive salts, lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), lithium bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide (LiTFSI) and its derivatives (e.g., lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI)) or lithium [tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate] (LiFAP), lithium 4,5-dicyano-2-trifluoromethyl-imidazolide (LiTDI), lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and / or diethyl carbonate (DEC) may be used.

[0061] The separator may divide the space between the electrodes and is ion-permeable. Separator types include: microporous membranes, ceramic-coated separators, non-woven mats, inorganic solid electrolytes, or polymer electrolytes. For example, PVDF or ceramic-coated polyolefin-based membranes may be used.

[0062] A battery identification element 12, 14 may be physically associated with the battery 10. The identification element 12, 14 may be physically attached to the battery housing or may be part of the battery management system 16. The identification element 12, 14 may be located inside or outside the battery housing 20. The identification element 12, 14 may be a passive identification element 14. The passive element 14 may be located on the exterior surface of the battery housing 20. The passive element 14 may be based on a marker embedded in a material. The passive element 14 may include a printed code such as a barcode or a QR code. The identification element 12, 14 may be an active identification element 14. The active element 14 may be a transmitter or transceiver, such as an RFID tag that allows communication through, for example, NFC, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other suitable short to medium range communication protocols. The identification element 14 may be part of the battery management system 16, for example, a digital product identifier may be stored in the battery management system 16 and retrieved from the battery management system through a communication protocol such as NFC, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other suitable short to medium range communication protocol.

[0063] A digital battery identifier or digital product identifier may be associated with the battery identification element 12, 14. The digital product identifier may be unique to the battery. The digital product identifier may further be associated with data related to the identified battery. Such data may include any data collected during the production or life of the battery 10. For example, such data may include material data, such as material composition data, collected during the production of the battery or the digital battery identifier may be associated with monitoring data collected during the use of the battery. Data related to the identified battery or part thereof may relate to or include material composition data. The material composition data may be controlled by one or more material producers, for example through authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. The material composition data may be controlled by one or more material producers. One or more material producers may provide respective material composition data for access by participating nodes of the decentralized computing environment. Data related to the battery or part thereof may be stored in a database associated with participating nodes of the decentralized computing environment, in particular with producers of batteries, components, or materials or users of batteries. Participant nodes storing data relating to an identified battery or portion thereof may provide access to other participant nodes, e.g., via peer-to-peer communications including authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Data relating to an identified battery or portion thereof may relate to or include material composition data relating to cathode elements, such as cathode active materials, anode elements, separators, and / or electrolytes. For example, material composition data may be associated with electrode active materials. Such data may be provided by material producers for access by participant nodes of a decentralized computing environment, e.g., via peer-to-peer communications including authentication and / or authorization mechanisms.

[0064] The digital product identifier may include or may be associated with at least one decentralized identifier. The decentralized identifier may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the data owner and / or the identified battery 10. The inclusion of a data point may relate to a data package including such data points and / or data digitally linked or associated in any way to the data points, forming a data package virtually or digitally. The decentralized identifier may include data related to the identified battery, such as material composition data, and any unique identifier uniquely associated with the identified battery 10. The decentralized identifier may include or be associated with one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) or one or more digital identifiers (DIDs). The decentralized identifier may be issued by a centralized or decentralized identity information issuer. The decentralized identifier may include authentication information for authentication of the data related to the identified battery. Through the decentralized identifier and its unique association with the identified battery 10, access to the data relating to the identified battery may be controlled by at least one data owner. This is in contrast to a centralized authority scheme, where an identifier is provided by such a centralized authority and access to the data is controlled by such a centralized authority. In this context, decentralized refers to the use of an identifier controlled by any data owner. The data may be hosted in a database associated with or under the control of the data owner. The identification elements 12, 14 may be configured to provide a digital product identifier for accessing the data relating to the identified battery.

[0065] The decentralized identifier may include one or more identifiers used in a decentralized computing environment to enable data exchange over the decentralized computing environment, such as a peer-to-peer communication channel. The data exchange may include discovery of decentralized identifiers of participating nodes of the decentralized network, authentication of participating nodes of the decentralized network, and / or authorization of data transfer via peer-to-peer communication between participating nodes of the decentralized network.

[0066] The data owner may include any entity that generates data, particularly data related to the identified battery. The generating node may be coupled to an entity that owns the physical product from which the data, particularly data related to the identified battery, is generated or to which the generated data relates. The data, particularly data related to the identified battery, may be generated by a third party entity on behalf of the entity that owns the physical product from which the data is generated or to which the generated data relates. The data owner may be a producer of the material, the components included in the battery, or the battery, such as a material producer, a component producer, or a product producer. Through the decentralized identifier and the data owner's unique association with the data related to the identified battery, access to each data may be controlled by the data owner. The data owner may have access to the data related to the identified battery. Thus, the data owner may directly or indirectly own or control the data related to the identified battery. The data related to the identified battery may be stored in a database of the data owner or a database associated with the data owner. The data related to the identified battery may be stored in a database accessible to the data owner. The data owner may control access to the data related to the identified battery via the data owner's data provisioning service. The data owner may control access to the data related to the identified battery. The data related to the identified battery may have a data owner associated with it. The data owner may be the owner or controller of the data related to the identified battery or the data relating the identified battery to the owner. The data related to the identified battery may be stored in the data owner's database or under the control of the data owner. In this sense, the data owner may refer to an entity that has access to the data related to the identified battery or parts thereof and that controls access to the data related to the identified battery or parts thereof by data consumption services of the decentralized computing environment.

[0067] In particular, the digital product identifier may be associated with material composition data that specifies the material composition of one or more components of the battery. The digital product identifier may be associated with a battery 10, and the material composition data may specify the material composition of one or more components of the battery 10.

[0068] Figure 2 shows a schematic of a battery component 30 having identification elements 32, 34. As mentioned with respect to Figure 1, the selection of a battery as an example of an end-of-life product is arbitrary and should not be construed as limiting.

[0069] The battery component 30 may include one or more subcomponents of the battery 10. The subcomponents may include the battery management system 16, the battery housing 20, a battery module or pack having a plurality of battery cells 22, a battery cell 22, or a combination of such subcomponents. A battery component identification element 32, 34 may be associated with the battery component 30. The identification element 32, 34 may be physically attached to the battery component 30. The identification element 32, 34 may be located inside or outside the battery component 30. The identification element 32, 34 may be a passive or active identification element 32, 34, as described with respect to FIG. 1. A digital battery component identifier may be associated with the battery identification element 32, 34. The digital product identifier may include at least one decentralized identifier associated with the identified battery component 30, as described with respect to FIG. 1. In particular, the identification element 32, 34 may be configured to provide a digital battery component identifier for accessing data related to the identified battery component, such as material composition data, as described with respect to FIG. 1. The product identifier may be associated with a component 30 where the material composition data specifies the material composition.

[0070] 3a-3c show different computing environments: centralized, decentralized and distributed. The disclosed method, device, system, use and computer element may be implemented in a decentralized or at least partially decentralized computing environment. Providing, determining or processing data may be realized by different computing nodes that may be implemented in a centralized, decentralized or distributed computing environment.

[0071] Figures 3a and 3b show example embodiments of centralized and decentralized computing environments with computing nodes. Figure 3c shows an example embodiment of a decentralized computing environment. Figure 3d shows an example environment for making data accessible. Such an environment may be implemented according to digital identifier-based standards from the International Data Space (IDS) or W3C. Such implementations help make data associated with decentralized identifiers from material providers accessible to data consumers.

[0072] FIG. 3a illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a centralized computing system 100 that includes a central computing node 101 (solid circle at the center) and several peripheral computing nodes 101.1-101.n (shown as solid circles around the periphery). As used herein, the term "computing system" is broadly defined to include one or more computing nodes, a system of nodes, a network of nodes, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the term "computing node" is broadly defined and may refer to any device or system that includes at least one physical, tangible processor and / or physical, tangible memory capable of having computer executable instructions executed by the processor. Computing nodes are now increasingly taking a variety of forms. Computing nodes may be, for example, handheld devices, production facilities, sensors, monitoring systems, control systems, home appliances, laptop computers, desktop computers, mainframes, data centers, or even devices that have not traditionally been considered computing nodes, such as wearables (e.g., glasses, watches, etc.). Memory may take any form, depending on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0073] In this example, the peripheral computing nodes 101.1-101.n may be connected to one centralized computing system (or server). In another example, the peripheral computing nodes 101.1-101.n may be attached to a central computing node, for example via a terminal server (not shown). Most of the functionality may be performed by or obtained from the central computing node (also referred to as a remote centralized management location). One peripheral computing node 101.n is expanded to provide an overview of the components present on the peripheral computing node. The central computing node 101 may comprise the same components as described in relation to the peripheral computing nodes 101.n.

[0074] Each computing node 101, 101.1-101.n may comprise at least one hardware processor 102 and memory 104. The term "processor" may refer to any logic circuitry configured to perform the basic operations of a computer or system and / or generally to a device configured to perform computations or logical operations. In particular, a processor or computer processor may be configured to process the basic instructions that run a computer or system. A processor may be a semiconductor-based processor, a quantum processor, or any other type of processor configured to process instructions. As an example, a processor may be or comprise a central processing unit ("CPU"). A processor may be a graphics processing unit ("GPU"), a tensor processing unit ("TPU"), a complex instruction set computing microprocessor ("CISC"), a reduced instruction set computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a very long instruction word ("VLIW") microprocessor, a processor implementing other instruction sets, or a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing means may also be one or more dedicated processing devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), a complex programmable logic device ("CPLD"), a digital signal processor ("DSP"), a network processor, etc. The methods, systems, and devices described herein may be implemented as software in a DSP, a microcontroller, or any other side processor, or as hardware circuitry in an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA. It should be understood that the term processor may also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed system of processing devices located across multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and is not limited to a single device unless otherwise specified.

[0075] The memory 104 may include physical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination thereof. The memory may include non-volatile mass storage devices such as physical storage media. The memory may be a computer readable storage medium such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, non-magnetic disk storage such as solid state disks, or any other physical, tangible storage medium that can be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computing system. Furthermore, the memory may be a computer readable medium (also called a transmission medium) having computer executable instructions. Furthermore, the program code means in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from the transmission medium to the storage medium (or vice versa) when reaching various computing system components. For example, computer executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link may be buffered in a RAM in a network interface module (e.g., a "NIC") and then eventually transferred to the RAM of the computing system and / or to a less volatile storage medium residing in the computing system. Thus, it should be understood that storage media may be included in computing components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

[0076] Computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n may include a number of structures 106, often referred to as "executable components, executable instructions, computer-executable instructions, or instructions." For example, memory 104 of computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n may be depicted as including executable components 106. The term "executable components" may be a name for structures that may be software, hardware, or a combination thereof, or that are well understood by those skilled in the computing arts as being structures that may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. For example, when implemented in software, those skilled in the art will understand that the structure of executable components includes software objects, routines, methods, etc., that execute on computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n, regardless of whether such executable components reside on multiple computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n, or whether the executable components reside on computer-readable storage media. In such cases, one skilled in the art will recognize that the structure of the executable components resides on a computer-readable medium such that, when interpreted by one or more processors (e.g., by processor threads) of the computational nodes 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n, the computational nodes 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n perform functions. Such structures may be directly computer readable by the processor (as if the executable components were binary). Alternatively, the structures may be structured to be interpretable and / or compiled (whether in one step or multiple steps) to generate binary such that it is directly interpretable by the processor. Such an understanding of an exemplary structure of an executable component is well within the understanding of one skilled in the computing arts when using the term "executable component." Examples of executable components implemented in hardware include hard-coded or hard-wired logic gates implemented exclusively or substantially exclusively in hardware, such as in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other dedicated circuit.In this description, the terms "component," "agent," "manager," "service," "engine," "module," "virtual machine," and the like are used synonymously with the term "executable component."

[0077] The processor 102 of each computing node 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n may direct the operation of each computing node 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n in response to executing computer-executable instructions that constitute the executable components. For example, such computer-executable instructions may be embodied in one or more computer-readable media forming a computer program product. The computer-executable instructions may be stored in the memory 104 of each computing node 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n. The computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that, when executed by the processor 101, cause a general-purpose computing node 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n, a special-purpose computing node 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n, or a special-purpose processing device to perform a particular function or group of functions. Alternatively or additionally, computer-executable instructions may configure a computational node 101, 101.1,..., 101.n to perform a particular function or group of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries or even instructions that undergo some translation (e.g., compilation) before being executed directly by a processor, such as intermediate format instructions such as assembly language or even source code.

[0078] Each computing node 101, 101.1,..., 101.n may include a communication channel 108, e.g., a network (shown as solid lines between the peripheral computing nodes and the central computing node), that allows each computing node 101.1,..., 101.n to communicate with the central computing node 101. A "network" may be defined as one or more data links that enable the transmission of electronic data between the computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n, modules, and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided to the computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n via a network or another communication connection (either wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless), the computing nodes 101, 101.1,..., 101.n properly consider the connection to be a transmission medium. A transmission medium may be used to carry desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and may include a network and / or data links accessible by general-purpose or special-purpose computing nodes 101, 101.1, ..., 101.n. Combinations of the above may also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0079] Computational nodes 101, 101.1-101.n may further comprise a user interface system 110 used to interface with a user. User interface system 110 may include an output mechanism 110A and an input mechanism 110B. The principles described herein are not limited to the precise output mechanism 110A or input mechanism 110B, as such will depend on the nature of the device. However, output mechanism 110A may include, for example, a display, a speaker, a display, a haptic output, a hologram, etc. Examples of input mechanism 110B include, for example, a microphone, a touch screen, a hologram, a camera, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointer input, any type of sensor, etc.

[0080] FIG. 3b illustrates an example embodiment of a decentralized computing environment 100′ with several computing nodes 101.1′-101.n′ shown as solid circles. A decentralized network may include protocols established for authentication and / or authorization. In contrast to the centralized computing environment 100 illustrated in FIG. 3a, the computing nodes 101.1′-101.n′ of the decentralized computing environment are not connected to the central computing node 101 and are therefore not under the control of the central computing node. Instead, both hardware and software resources may be allocated to each individual computing node 101.1′,...,101.n′ (local or remote computing system) and data may be distributed among the various computing nodes 101.1′,...,101.n′ for task execution. Thus, in a decentralized system environment or decentralized network, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices. One computational node 101' is expanded to provide an overview of the components present on the computational node 101'. In this example, the computational node 101' comprises the same components as those described in relation to Figure 3a.

[0081] FIG. 3c illustrates an example embodiment of a distributed computing environment 103. In this description, "distributed computing" may refer to any computing that utilizes multiple computing resources. Such use may be realized through virtualization of physical computing resources. An example of distributed computing is cloud computing. "Cloud computing" may refer to a model that enables on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services). When distributed, a cloud computing environment may be distributed internally within an organization and / or across multiple organizations. In this example, the distributed cloud computing environment 103 may include the following computing resources: mobile devices 114, applications 116, databases 118, data storage 120, and servers 122. The cloud computing environment 103 may be deployed as a public cloud 124, a private cloud 126, or a hybrid cloud 128. The private cloud 124 may be owned by the organization, and only members of the organization with appropriate access may use the private cloud 126, keeping the data in the private cloud at least confidential. In contrast, data stored in the public cloud 126 may be open to anyone via the Internet. A hybrid cloud 128 may be a combination of a private cloud 124 and a public cloud 126, allowing some data to be kept private while other data may be public.

[0082] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, examples of battery or battery component identifiers provided by the identification elements 12, 14, 32, 34 of the battery as a product to be recycled can be processed at least partially in a decentralized computing environment or decentralized network. For example, the battery or battery component identifier can be configured to access battery or battery component data, such as material data or material composition data. The product or product component identifier can be configured to access product or product component data, such as material data or material composition data. Further decentralized identifiers can be associated with recycling plants or production plants involved in the recycling or production of the battery. The recycling or production plant identifier can be configured to access operational data, such as recycling or production plant data. Examples of operational data can be capacity data, process specific data, or location data. By associating such decentralized identifiers with authentication information and optionally authorization rules, data can be securely and reliably shared across such players or systems of the production and / or recycling chain via decentralized network nodes, such as peer-to-peer communication, associated with the players.

[0083] FIG. 3d illustrates an example environment or decentralized network 300 that allows access to data according to standards set by the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA; e.g., IDS Reference Architecture version 3.0 April 2019) or W3C (Decentralized Identifier (DID) v1.0, Core Architecture, Data Model, and Expressions per W3C Proposed Recommendation 03 August 2021). Such an implementation helps make data associated with decentralized identifiers from material providers more accessible to data consumers.

[0084] In the example, a data providing service 304 including a data retrieval system 308 and a connector 310 shares material data 316 with a data consuming service 306 including a data retrieval system 312 and a connector 314 via a decentralized network protocol. Associated with the data providing service 304 and the data consuming service 306 are network nodes or computational nodes of the network. Associated with the data providing service 304 and the data consuming service 306 are local databases 320a, 320b controlled by each participating node.

[0085] Data regarding the identified battery or part thereof may be provided or made accessible in association with the material component and / or battery 302 depending on an identifier of such data. The material, component, and / or battery 302 may be associated with a digital identifier. The digital identifier may include one or more decentralized identifiers, such as those described with respect to Figs. 1-3. The decentralized identifiers may be identifiers in the decentralized network 300 that enable data exchange over the decentralized network 300 between participating nodes via data providing / consuming services 304, 306. One participating node in Fig. 3d may be associated with a data providing service 304. Another participating node in Fig. 3d may be associated with a data consuming service 306. The data exchange may include discovery of decentralized identifiers of participating nodes of the decentralized network 300, authentication of participating nodes of the decentralized network 300, and / or authorization of data transfer via peer-to-peer communication between participating nodes of the decentralized network 300.

[0086] Upon reading the identifier elements, for example via a reader element 308 as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2, a digital identifier for each battery, component, or material may be provided, for example via a decentralized network database (not shown). Digital relationships between the identifiers may be provided, which may reflect the physical relationships of the battery, its components, and its materials. The identifiers may relate to a digital representation of the battery data or portions thereof relating to the battery, component, or its materials.

[0087] The battery identifier may include or relate to a decentralized identifier that is uniquely associated with the identified battery. Similarly, the identifier may relate to a component or material of the battery. The decentralized identifier may include one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) or digital identifiers (DIDs). The decentralized identifier may include any unique identifier that is uniquely associated with the data owner, the battery, the component, and / or the material. The data owner may be the manufacturer of the battery, the component, or the material. Through the unique association of the decentralized identifier and the data owner, the battery, the component, and / or the material, access to the battery data or portions thereof may be controlled by the data owner.

[0088] The decentralized identifier may be associated with a digital representation of battery data associated with the battery, components contained in the battery, or materials contained in the battery. The digital representation may include a representation for accessing the battery data or a portion thereof, such as material data or material composition data, which may be provided by a material producer. The digital representation of the battery data or a portion thereof may be stored in a decentralized database (not shown). The battery data or a portion thereof, such as material data or material composition data, may be stored in a local database associated with a data owner, such as a material, component, or battery producer.

[0089] The battery 10 may be associated or related to digital representations of battery data or parts thereof related to the battery, components of the battery, and / or materials contained in the battery or its components. The digital representations may relate to respective digital identifiers of the battery 10, components, and / or materials contained in the battery or its components. The digital representations may point to, be linked to, or provide links to the battery data or parts thereof, such as components of the battery and / or materials contained in the battery or its components. The digital representations may include at least one interface to a data providing service 304 configured to make the respective battery data or parts thereof accessible or to transfer the respective battery data or parts thereof. The digital representations may include at least one interface to a data consuming service configured to make the respective battery data or parts thereof accessible or to receive the respective battery data or parts thereof. The digital representations may include endpoints for data exchange or sharing (resource endpoints) or endpoints for service interaction (service endpoints) that are uniquely identified via a communication protocol. Thus, a digital representation that points to data related to a battery or parts thereof may be uniquely associated with a decentralized identifier.

[0090] Upon providing the identifier, a representation referring to the respective data, e.g., material data or material composition data, may be provided to the data consuming service 306, e.g., via a decentralized registry. In the example of material composition data, which is not to be considered as limiting, the material composition data may be stored in a database 310 associated with a material producer or provider. The data consuming service 306 associated with the reader 308 may request access to such data from the material producer's or provider's data providing service 304. Authentication and / or authorization information linked to the identifier may be shared to authenticate and / or authorize access from the data consuming service 306 to the data provided by the data providing service 304. The authentication and / or authorization information may be provided for authentication and / or authorization of the data providing service 304 and / or the data consuming service 306.

[0091] In one embodiment, the data relating to that portion of the battery is linked to or includes the material composition data or portions thereof. In one embodiment, the data relating to that portion of the battery includes one or more digital representations that point to, link to, or provide a link to the battery data, materials, data, or portions thereof stored, for example, in a local database of a material provider. In this regard, pointing to, linking, or linking means any network representation or address suitable for accessing the data relating to that portion of the battery stored in a local database. The data relating to that portion of the battery may include multiple digital representations that point to, link to, or provide a link to separate portions of the battery data. The data relating to the battery may include multiple digital representations that point to, link to, or provide a link to different portions of the battery data. Such different portions may overlap at some data points. The representations may include access points to the battery data, links for accessing the battery data, endpoints for accessing the battery data, and / or service endpoints for accessing the battery data. In this manner, the battery data can be maintained and controlled by the data owner. Since there is no need to check and control access to multiple decentralized data points, access may be provided via a representation of an access point that simplifies data validation, integrity checks, or quality checks and access control. The battery data may be stored in a database 320 of the data owner or a database associated with the data owner. The battery data may be stored in a database 320 accessible to the data owner. A digital representation that points to, links to, or provides a link to the battery or a portion thereof may be associated with or related to any such database associated with or accessible by the data owner. For added security, a digital representation that points to the battery data or a portion thereof may indirectly relate to any such database associated with or accessible by the data owner.

[0092] Similar to the access and transfer of data as described above for the example of material composition data, other data can also be securely shared in a decentralized network between different nodes associated with different players in the network. Any data provided in the different methods, embodiments, and systems described may be provided by a node in the decentralized network.

[0093] The at least partially decentralized structure based on decentralized identifiers enables novel methods, apparatus, systems, computer elements, computer executable instructions, and their uses in product recycling processes described below.

[0094] 4 shows a flow diagram of an example method for providing a material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product, and in particular for operating a recycling process based on the material identifier package or for sorting products to be recycled, such as batteries, based on material composition data associated with a product identifier, which may be implemented in a network as described in FIG.

[0095] The material identifier package may include a digital identifier associated with the product to be recycled, such as a battery. By bundling the digital identifiers according to their associated material composition, the products to be recycled, particularly batteries, may be physically bundled together according to their material composition that is not readily accessible from the physical products, particularly batteries, without the present invention. In this manner, physical products, such as batteries, may be virtually or digitally bundled together such that the recycling process may be carried out more efficiently. To do so, collection instructions, sorting instructions, and / or transportation instructions may also be derived based on the material identifier package to physically bundle each product, particularly batteries, according to their material composition, simplifying the recycling process.

[0096] A product identifier associated with the product to be recycled may be provided. Such data may be provided via an identifier element physically connected to the product or a component of the product to be recycled, for example as described with respect to Figs. 1-3. Thus, the product and / or product component to be recycled may be associated with the product identifier. The product identifier element may be read as described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. The material data may be retrieved by a node of the decentralized network associated with reading the identifier element. A decentralized identifier may be retrieved. Based on the decentralized identifier, a digital representation of the battery data or a portion thereof may be retrieved. The representation may include a link or pointer to the data. The battery data may include material composition data. The material composition data may be provided by a node of the decentralized network associated with a producer of the product, a component of the product, or a material used in the production of the product, e.g., a cathode active material used in the production of a cathode component of the battery 10. The node of the decentralized network associated with reading the identifier element may request access to the material composition data, for example as described with respect to Figs. 1-3.

[0097] Based on the product identifier, material data such as material composition data can be accessed, for example, as described with respect to Figs. 1-3. For example, cathode active materials are valuable for recycling processes due to the precious metals contained in the cathode active materials. To recover and recycle such materials to produce new batteries, material composition data of the battery related to the material composition of the cathode active materials can be accessed. For example, the material data can be accessed through a data service associated with each product identifier and requesting access to the material data controlled by the material data owner. The data service can include computer executable instructions operating at least in part in a decentralized computing environment. Such computer executable instructions can be based on a Json Web Token (JWT) that includes authentication information, authorization information, and / or a digital representation that refers to the material composition data or a portion thereof. The digital representation can include an endpoint for data exchange or sharing (resource endpoint) or an endpoint for service interaction (service endpoint) that is uniquely identified via a communication protocol. The digital representation that refers to the material composition data or a portion thereof can be uniquely associated with the product identifier.

[0098] The material data may include material composition data associated with at least one component of the product 10. The material composition data may indicate one or more component material compositions of the product 10. The material composition may include material types, material properties, and / or chemical compositions of at least one component of the product 10. Material types may include, but are not limited to, plastics, metal-containing materials, polymer-containing materials, composite materials such as those used in the product 10 or intermediate products, raw materials, or by-products in producing the product 10. Material properties may include, but are not limited to, physical material properties, such as thermodynamic, mechanical, electrodynamic, optical, and acoustic material properties, and / or chemical material properties, such as standard electrode potential and electronegativity. The chemical composition may relate to one or more components and their amounts. The term component of the product 10 may include all components included in the product 10, such as the cathode element 26 or the anode element 24. For example, material composition data may provide the cell chemistry, e.g., the cathode active material Al, Li, Co, Ni in percentage, the anode active material, e.g., graphite, the composition electrolyte, e.g., conductive salts or solvents, separator, or other items included in the battery cell.

[0099] The material composition data may be associated with one component, for example, the electrode element 26 or cathode active material of the battery. In such an example, the material composition may specify the chemical composition of the cathode active material. Examples are material compositions based on lithium nickel manganese (NCM type), for example lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiCoMnO2), lithium iron phosphate (LPF type), for example lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4 / C), lithium nickel manganese (LMNO type), for example lithium nickel manganese spinel (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA type), for example lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO2), lithium manganese (LMO type), for example lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4), lithium cobalt (LCO type), for example lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), or combinations thereof. The material composition data may be associated with the anode element 24 or anode active material. In such an embodiment, the material composition may indicate the chemical composition of the anode active material. Examples are natural graphite, synthetic graphite, other graphite types, or combinations thereof. The material composition data may be associated with the electrolyte 22, separator 28, cell 18, or module packaging, housing 20, etc. For example, the material composition data may provide the cell chemistry, e.g., the cathode active material Al, Li, Co, Ni in percentage, the anode active material, e.g., graphite, the composition electrolyte, e.g., conductive salt or solvent, separator, or other items included in the battery cell.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 6, different product components and corresponding material configurations may be associated with the product identifier. In the example of FIG. 6, the cathode element, the anode element, the separator element, and the housing are exemplary components. The cathode element may relate to the material configuration of the electrode active material, i.e., LOM for ID1 and NCM for ID2. The anode element may relate to the material configuration of the anode active material, i.e., natural graphite for ID1 and artificial graphite and silicon for ID2. Similarly, the material configuration of the separator may be specified by the membrane type, and the material configuration of the housing by the plastic type. In other embodiments, components such as the cathode element, the anode element, the separator element, and / or the housing may each be associated with a component identifier. Through the product identifier and / or the component identifier, the respective material configuration data may be retrieved. The identifier may include a decentralized identifier.

[0101] Based on the material composition data associated with the product identifier, at least one material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant can be determined to provide a material identifier package. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 for the battery ID of FIG. 6, two packages can be collected: package ID1 of cathode elements of a battery with ID1 having LCO as cathode active material, package ID2 of cathode elements of a battery with ID2, and IDn having NCM as cathode active material. Based on the material composition data, products 10 or product components 30 can be identified as having material compositions that can be recycled by the same recycling plant or together. In this way, products or components to be recycled can be virtually collected or sorted by product identifiers associated with such material compositions. Different embodiments of such a determination are possible. Only a few examples are described here as exemplary embodiments, which are not considered to be limiting.

[0102] In one example, matching logic may be used to identify material identifiers for material compositions that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant. Such matching may be based on the material composition of one or more components. Many algorithms may be employed for matching, ranging from search algorithms to data-driven classification models.

[0103] For example, matching may be performed by chemical composition of the components. For matching, classification instructions may be provided. Such classification instructions may be predefined or dynamically adjustable. For example, material configurations A, B, C may be predefined by at least a part of the chemical composition of one component, such as specifying the electrolyte composition, the anode active material composition, the cathode active material composition. The matching scheme may in principle be seen as follows: Component-Based Matching for the Battery Example Classification by component composition A: cathode active materials x, y, z; B: cathode active materials a, b, c; C: cathode active materials d, e, f; Material composition of components Battery ID1, cathode active material x Battery ID2, cathode active material y Battery component material composition matching Battery ID 1, cathode active material x → Class A Battery ID2, cathode active material y → Class A In the case of multiple components, the material configurations A, B, C can be predefined by at least partially specifying the composition of the multiple components. For example, in the battery example, compositions such as the housing composition, the electrolyte composition, the anode composition, and the cathode composition, or the composition of any other components, can be predefined. The matching scheme can in principle be seen as follows: More component-based matching for the battery example Classification by component composition A: electrolyte x, y, z; anode l, m, k; cathode e, d, f B: electrolyte g, h, i; anode j, n, o; cathode p, q, r Material composition of components Battery ID1, electrolyte x, anode l, cathode f Battery ID2, electrolyte y, anode l, cathode e Battery material composition matching Battery ID1, electrolyte x, anode l, cathode f → Class A Battery ID2, electrolyte y, anode l, cathode e → Class A In another example, the matching may be done by chemical composition of the class. Such matching may be based on the material composition of one or more components. For example, the search may be done by chemical composition. For the search, a classification instruction may be provided. Such a classification instruction may be predefined or dynamically adjustable. For example, the material configurations A, B, C may be predefined at least in part by the chemical composition of one component, such as specifying the electrolyte composition, the anode active material composition, the cathode active material composition in the example of a battery. For example, the material configurations A, B, C may be predefined at least in part by the component composition, specifying the housing composition, the electrolyte composition, the anode composition, the cathode composition, and the composition of any other components. The search scheme may in principle be seen as follows: Classification by component composition in battery example A: electrolyte x, y, z; anode l, m, k; cathode e, d, f B:... C.... Material composition of components Battery ID1, electrolyte x, anode l, cathode f Battery ID2, electrolyte y, anode l, cathode e Search for battery material compositions by class Class A: battery ID 1, electrolyte x, anode l, cathode f; Class B: battery ID 2, electrolyte y, anode l, cathode e.

[0104] Once a match or search has been made, the products or components that can or will be processed by the recycling plant can be identified through their identifiers associated with each material configuration. Such packages of product identifiers or component identifiers can be assigned to recycling plants by providing recycling plant data associated with recycling plants that can process such packages of materials.

[0105] In another example, advanced logic may be used. Such advanced logic may be based on material composition data and recycling plant data of one or more components. For example, the recycling plant data may include a recycling plant identifier and a specification of one or more material compositions that can be or will be processed by a recycling plant that performs at least one recycling process on the one or more material compositions. In this manner, classification based on material composition data may be directly related to a particular recycling plant. Respective classification instructions may be provided that include one or more public material composition data and recycling plant data.

[0106] Based on the identification of the material identifier package, a material identifier package and associated product identifier may be provided. Thus, the material identifier package may include a collection of product identifiers associated with one or more material configurations that can be or will be processed together at a recycling plant. A package identifier may be generated by uniquely associating with such a package. A product identifier associated with at least one material configuration that can be or will be processed together may be linked to the package identifier. Thus, the package identifier may be associated with a product or product component that can be or will be processed together by at least one recycling plant or process. A material identifier package may be provided that includes the package identifier and / or the package of product identifiers. In addition, the material identifier package may include a material configuration for the package identifier or the package of battery identifiers. The material identifier package may include, for each package of package identifiers or battery identifiers, a plant identifier that indicates the recycling plant at which the product or product component should be processed.

[0107] Optionally, the material identifier package may be used to generate and provide sorting instructions and / or collection instructions, as described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5 and FIG. 14. Such instructions may be generated based on the package of product or component identifiers or package identifiers and / or product or component location data associated with the product or component identifiers. In one example, the collection instructions may be shown in a user interface where a pickup is scheduled. The sorting instructions may include machine-readable instructions that may be provided to a sorter. The sorter may read the product identifiers and sort the products or components according to the material identifier package. In other embodiments, the sorter may be provided with sorting instructions as described above. The sorter may read the product identifiers and sort the products or components based on the sorting instructions and generate a virtual material identifier package.

[0108] Further optionally, the material identifier package may be used to generate and provide transport and / or storage instructions, as described in more detail with respect to Figures 5 and 14. Such instructions may be generated based on the package or package identifier of the product or component identifier, location data relating to the product or component identifier, and / or operational data relating to the factory identifier. The location data may be associated with the physical location of the product or product component to be recycled. The operational data may include data indicative of the factory location, the factory capacity, and / or the factory process details.

[0109] Figure 5 shows another example embodiment of a method for sorting products to be recycled, such as batteries, based on material composition data associated with a product identifier, in particular a flow chart for operating a recycling process based on a material identifier package to provide a material identifier package that can be used for recycling materials contained in the product. The method may be implemented in a network as illustrated in Figure 3d.

[0110] One or more product identifiers, such as a battery identifier, and associated material composition data may be provided, for example, as described with respect to Figures 1, 2, 3d, and 4. The material composition data may be associated with material composition, such as material type, material properties, or chemical composition, associated with one or more product components that make up the product, such as a battery. A passive or active product identification element 12, 14, 32, 34 may be associated with a physical product, such as a battery. The identification elements may be configured to provide a product identifier, particularly a battery identifier, and associated material data of the physical product, particularly a battery, and associated or related as described with respect to Figures 1-4. Additionally or alternatively, a product identifier, particularly a battery identifier, may be provided via a product element and material composition data may be provided through measurements.

[0111] Material classification instructions may be provided that classify the identifiers of one or more components of a product, particularly batteries, with respect to material type / characteristics or chemical composition. For example, in the case of batteries, this may include classifying one or more components of a battery to be recycled by material composition. In one option, classification of material composition classes A, B, C may relate to multiple components such as: A: electrolyte x, y, z; anode (active and inactive materials) l, m, k; cathode (active and inactive materials) e, d, f; housing g, h, I; battery management system m, n, o; separator p, q, r; B: electrolyte x2, y2, z2; anode (active and inactive materials) l2, m2, k2; cathode (active and inactive materials) e2, d2, f2; case g2, h2, I2; battery management system m2, n2, o2; separator p2, q2, r2; C electrolyte x3, y3, z3; anode (active and inactive materials) l3, m3, k3; cathode (active and inactive materials) e3, d3, f3; case g3, h3, I3; battery management system m3, n3, o3; separator p3, q3, r3; In another option, the classification of material composition classes A, B, C may refer to selected components that undergo recycling: A: Cathode (active and inactive materials) abc B: Cathode (active and inactive materials) def C: Cathode (active material and inactive material)ghj The products or components may be classified by material composition data with classification instructions. A material identifier package including the number of products or components per class may be identified and provided. The products or components may be classified based on their identifiers, associated material composition data, and material classification instructions provided. Based on the classified product identifiers, the amount of material may be identified, e.g., by number of products or components and / or by amount of material to be recycled, e.g., by component.

[0112] The plant identifier may be provided in conjunction with operational data such as capacity data, process data, and / or location data. The operational data may be associated with the plant identifier, and may include capacity data, process data, and / or material data or material classification instructions. The quantities, numbers, and / or compositions of the products or components classified based on the classified component identifiers or product identifiers may be matched with the plant identifiers based on the capacity, process details, and / or location of the recycling plant. One plant identifier may be selected and provided based on the classified number, quantity, and / or composition of packages with each product identifier, each component identifier, or package identifier. Product or component identifiers of one or more material classifications may be assigned to the recycling plant. The assignment may be based on the plant's capacity, process details, material composition, and / or material classification. The operational data may be static data regarding the general use of the plant or may be dynamic regarding the current use of the plant. The latter allows real-time visibility into the capacity, process data, and / or material data. Plants may be matched based on real-time information, allowing for more efficient and targeted use of plant resources in the recycling process. Material packages may be physically collected with sorting, collection, storage, and / or transport instructions based on a package or package identifier of a product or component identifier and potentially a factory identifier, for example as described with respect to Figures 4 and 5.

[0113] Collection instructions, sorting instructions, storage instructions, and / or transport instructions for the collector system, sorting system, storage system, and / or transport system may be generated and provided. Sorting instructions may be determined based on the package of product or component identifiers or the material identifier package having a package identifier. Sorting instructions may relate product or component identifiers provided by a sensor reading product or component identifier elements to material configurations that can be or will be processed together, such as can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant. Such a relationship may include using sorting instructions that provide material configurations that can be or will be processed together, such as can be or will be processed by at least one plant. Such a relationship may include using sorting instructions that relate material configurations that can be or will be processed together to at least one plant identifier. Sorting instructions may relate product or component identifiers provided by a sensor reading product or component identifier elements to product identifiers or component identifiers included in the material identifier package. Sorting instructions may be provided to the sorting system to sort the products or components to be recycled. The sorting system may be controlled and / or monitored based on such instructions. In some embodiments, the sorting instructions may be provided to a sorting system configured to read product or component identifiers from products or components and sort such identifiers for sorting of the products or components. Such sorting allows for simple and efficient sorting, as the sorting logic may be at least partially implemented in a decentralized computing environment and the sorting system may be based on reading elements combined with sorting hardware, such as a robot.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 14, the product or component identifiers may be provided to a sorting system. The sorting system may be configured to monitor and / or control sorting of products or components associated with one or more classes based on sorting instructions and / or classification instructions. The sorting system may be configured to monitor and / or control sorting of products or components by material composition based on sorting instructions and / or classification instructions. In this manner, sorting of products or components may occur via reading identifiers associated with the products or components, facilitating sorting of such products or components by material composition.

[0115] Alternatively or additionally, collection instructions based on the material identifier package may be determined. The collection instructions may relate product or component identifiers provided by the sensor reading the identifier elements of the product or component to material configurations that can be or will be processed together, such as by at least one recycling plant. Such a relationship may include using sorting instructions to provide material configurations that can be or will be processed together, such as by at least one recycling plant. Such a relationship may include using sorting instructions to relate material configurations that can be or will be processed together to at least one plant identifier. Further collection point data may be provided indicating a collection point for at least one on component of the product. The collection point data may be included in the material identifier package. In this way, products or components may be sorted by target collection and simultaneous sorting for collections may be achieved, simplifying the recycling process.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 14, product or component identifiers associated with a classification may be provided to a collector system. The collector system may be configured to monitor and / or control collections of products or components associated with one or more classes based on collection instructions and / or sorting instructions. The collector system may be configured to monitor and / or control product or component collections by material composition based on collection instructions and / or sorting instructions. In this manner, sorting of products or components may be performed directly on the collection, thereby making further sorting processes redundant.

[0117] The collector system may be configured to collect products or components and provide product or component identifiers for classification by material class. The classified product or component identifiers may be provided to the sorting system. Such provision may be directly from the collector system to the sorting system or indirectly via the computing environment. The collector system may be configured to collect products or components and may be configured to classify the product or component identifiers by material composition, store the associated identifiers, and provide the product or component identifiers for each material class, for example to the sorting system. The product or component identifiers associated with a classification may be provided to the sorting system. The sorting system may be configured to sort the collected products or components associated with one or more classes. The sorting system may be configured to provide identifiers for classification by material composition and to sort the products or components based on the material composition. The product or component identifiers associated with a material classification may be provided by the collector system or the computing environment.

[0118] Additionally or alternatively, transport instructions may be generated. Collection point data may be provided indicating a collection point for the product or at least an on-component of the product. The collection point data may be included in a material identifier package. Transport instructions based on the collection point data and the factory location data or storage location data may be determined. Based on such data, one or more transport routes may be determined. The collection point data may indicate a starting point for a transport and the factory location data may indicate a destination point for the transport route. Such transport routes may be provided to a transport system, such as an autonomous vehicle, or to a user interface, such as a display.

[0119] Additionally or alternatively, storage instructions based on the throughput data and the number of products or components having material configurations that can or will be processed together may be determined. The amount of material or the number of products or components per class or subclass may be determined based on the material classification. The amount of material may be provided to a storage system to manage the storage of the products or components and / or to a transportation system or computing environment to transport the products or components. The storage instructions may be provided to a storage management system or as transport instructions to a transportation system.

[0120] A recycling run for a recycled material may be scheduled by providing the package identifier to a plant operations system with a plant identifier. Sorting instructions, collection instructions, storage instructions, and / or transport instructions may be provided to the recycling plant operations system. A recycling run may be scheduled for each package or class of product or component by providing the package or package identifier of the product or component identifier to the recycling plant operations system. The assigned identifier may be provided to the recycling plant operations system indicated by the recycling plant identifier along with the material identifier package to schedule the recycling run.

[0121] Figure 8 shows an example embodiment of a flow chart for processing recycled materials, and in particular for providing plant allocation data usable for operating a recycling process. The method may be implemented in a network as illustrated in Figure 3d.

[0122] Recycling of materials contained in a product, in particular recycled material data as shown in the example of material identifier packages in Figs. 4 and 5 that can be used to operate a recycling process, can be generated. Such identifier data can be used to operate a recycling process of mechanical and / or chemical recycling of a product or at least one component of a product. The recycled material data can include a product identifier or component identifier associated with at least one material configuration that can be or is processed by at least one recycling plant. Such identifiers can be associated with a package or package identifier that collects the product identifier or component identifier. In the example of a battery, the electrode element can be separated from the battery by dismantling and disassembly and further processed according to the package that collects the battery or electrode element identifier. In this way, recycled materials such as black mass can be virtually tracked during the recycling process and such tracking can be used to operate the plant that processes each material.

[0123] A recycled material identifier and corresponding recycled material data associated with the recycled material may be provided. The recycled material identifier may relate to one or more product identifiers or component identifiers and corresponding material composition data of a product that is recycled to provide the recycled material. The recycled material data may be provided by computer executable instructions executed at least in part in a decentralized or non-centralized computing environment, the computer executable instructions accessing the recycled material data of the recycled material based on the recycled material identifier. The material composition data may be provided by a computing node of the decentralized computing environment associated with a producer that produces or uses the material, such as a material producer. The material composition data may be provided as part of the recycled material data. The material composition data may be provided by a product identifier included in the recycled material data, by accessing the material composition data via the product identifier. The recycled material data may include a material composition of the recycled material identified based on or based on the generation of a material identifier package. To access the recycled material data, the recycled material data provider may include one or more recycling systems that generate the material identifier package. The recycled material data may be provided by a computing node of a decentralized computing environment associated with one or more recycling systems, preferably configured to generate a material identifier package and / or identify a material composition of the recycled material based on the material identifier package. The recycled material identifier may relate to a material package identifier or corresponding material composition data associated with the recycled material. The recycled material may include, for example, black mass material provided by a recycled electrode element of a battery cell or battery.

[0124] Operational data associated with at least one operating characteristic of the plant may be provided. The operational data may be provided by computer executable instructions executed at least in part in a decentralized computing environment, the computer executable instructions accessing the operational data of the plant based on the plant identifier. The operational data may be provided by a non-central computing node associated with one or more plants, such as a recycling plant, and / or one or more recycling systems, such as collectors, sorter systems, transport systems, storage systems, etc. The operational data may be provided for accessing or being accessed by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems and / or associated with classification instructions relating one or more plants to recycled material data and / or recycled material identifiers. The operational data may be accessed upon request by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems and / or associated with classification instructions relating one or more plants to recycled material data and / or recycled material identifiers. The operational data may include classification instructions relating one or more plants to recycled material data and / or recycled material identifiers. The operational data may be provided to determine a plant identifier identifying a plant suitable for processing recycled material associated with recycled material data and / or recycled product identifier data, such as recycled material identifiers. The operational data may include a factory identifier, factory throughput data related to the throughput of the factory, process data related to the process nature of the factory, and / or material classification data related to materials that can be or are processed by the factory. The operational data may be provided or accessed in a decentralized computing environment. The operational data may relate to static and / or dynamic production nature of the factory. The factory operational data may be static data related to the general use of the factory or may be dynamic with respect to the current use of the factory. The latter allows real-time insight into the throughput, process data, and / or material data. Factories can be matched based on real-time information, allowing for more efficient and targeted use of factory resources in the recycling or production process.

[0125] The assignment of factory identifier data, such as factory identifiers, to recycled product or component identifier data, such as recycled material data and / or recycled material identifiers, may be based on factory capacity data, process data, and / or material data. The factory may be any recycling factory, including, for example, mechanical, thermal, chemical, or a combination thereof. For example, in the case of batteries, the factory may be a metallurgical plant that recovers transition metals from battery materials. The metallurgical plant may be a hydrometallurgical plant and / or a pyrometallurgical plant. The recycled material may be assigned to a one-stage process, a two-stage process, or a multi-stage process that includes at least one hydrometallurgical plant and / or a pyrometallurgical plant. The recycled material may include electrode active material. The recycled material may be black mass.

[0126] The factory identifier data, such as the factory identifier, may be determined by classification according to the classification instructions, which provide material data that can be or will be processed by the factory. The classification instructions may be provided or executed by at least one node of the decentralized system. The classification instructions may be executed at least partially in a decentralized computing environment, and the classification instructions collect recycled material identifiers that relate one or more factories to recycled material data, such as recycled material composition, and respective factory identifiers. The classification instructions, which access the recycled material data based on the recycled material or product identifier, may initiate the classification, which may be followed by the transfer of the classified results. The classification instructions may be triggered by one or more recycling systems at any stage of the recycling process following the generation of the material identifier package. The classification instructions may access the recycled material data via recycled material identifiers provided by one or more recycling systems and / or product identifiers provided by the material producer. The classification instructions may transfer the classification results to one or more recycling systems, such as a sorting system, a collection system, a transport system, or a storage system, and / or to one or more factories, such as a recycling plant and / or a production plant.

[0127] Such classification instructions may include material compositions that can or will be processed by the plant. In the example of a battery, if the battery material composition indicates Li as a constituent, the assigned plant may be a hydrometallurgical plant. Further, for example, if Li is not included as a constituent, a pyrometallurgical plant or a hydrometallurgical plant may be assigned. Additionally or alternatively, the determination of the plant identifier data may include processing capacity or process details. For example, in the case of a battery, if electrolytic fluid is part of the recycled material, plant operation details such as electrolyte separation may need to be adapted or a plant with appropriate process details may need to be assigned. Further, for example, if the plant capacity is already full, another plant may be assigned. For example, the quantity or amount of recycled material may be determined via recycled material identifier and material composition data. The material composition may include relative quantities or amounts of components and / or absolute quantities, amounts of materials. The determination of the plant identifier data, production data may relate to the production process of the plant. The plant identifier may be determined based on the operation in conjunction with the material classification. The plant identifier may be provided. Plant assignment data may be provided that includes the plant identifier and the relevant recycled material identifier. In this way, input recycle materials can be identified and processed by the plant.

[0128] At least one factory identifier associated with a factory that processes the recycled material associated with the at least one recycled product identifier may be determined. Determining the at least one factory identifier may include selecting a factory identifier associated with a factory that processes the recycled material associated with the recycled product identifier data or the recycled facility identifier data based on the operational data. Determining the at least one factory identifier may include a classification of classification instructions that provide material data associated with one or more material configurations that can be or are processed by the at least one factory. Determining the at least one factory identifier may include matching the at least one recycled material identifier with the at least one factory identifier based on the amount of recycled material and the processing capacity of the factory. Determining the at least one factory identifier may include matching the at least one recycled material identifier with the at least one factory identifier based on process data associated with one or more recycling processes and / or material data associated with at least one material configuration that can be or is processed by the at least one factory.

[0129] Factory allocation data may be provided, the Factory allocation data may include at least one recycled material identifier associated with at least one factory identifier. From the Factory allocation data, transportation instructions and / or storage instructions may be determined and provided. Operational instructions may be provided and transmitted to at least one manufacturing execution system of the factory.

[0130] Transport and / or storage instructions based on the recycled material associated with the recycled material identifier and the location data associated with the factory identifier may be generated and provided, for example, as disclosed with respect to Figures 5 and 14. Operational instructions to at least one manufacturing execution system of the factory may be provided. The factory may be controlled and / or monitored according to the operational instructions, which may include one or more execution tasks.

[0131] Figure 9 shows an example embodiment of a flow chart for allocating factories to operate a recycling process. The method may be implemented in a network as described in Figure 3d.

[0132] A product or component identifier and corresponding material composition may be provided. A classification instruction may be provided to classify the product or component by chemical composition. For example, in the case of a battery, a cathode active material may be accessed or provided. The product or component identifier may be matched according to the chemical composition from one or more products, for example, in the case of a battery, the cathode active material of the battery. In the case of a battery, a package identifier associated with the chemical composition of the package, such as a black mass package, may be generated, for example, as disclosed with respect to FIGS. 1-7 and 14-15.

[0133] The operational data and the plant identifiers may be accessed or provided to match an appropriate recycling plant to operate the recycling process. The operational data may include the plant identifiers associated with the process and capacity data. Based on the operational data, the package identifiers may be matched to the plant identifiers. For example, from the package identifiers, the number of products or components or the amount of material to be recycled may be identified. Plants may be assigned to material packages based on the quantity, amount, or number and plant capacity. Each plant identifier may be provided along with a package identifier associated with the product, component, or package of material.

[0134] The packages may be collected with storage or transport instructions based on the package identifier and the plant identifier. Additionally or alternatively, a plant recycling run on each package of product, component, or material may be scheduled by providing the package identifier to a recycling plant operations system.

[0135] Figure 10 shows an example embodiment of a flow chart for allocating factories to operate a recycling process. The method may be implemented in a network as described in Figure 3d.

[0136] A product or component identifier and associated material composition data may be provided, as well as a factory identifier and associated operational data. The operational data may include capacity, material handling, and process data pertaining to the factory indicated by the factory identifier.

[0137] The throughput data may be matched with the quantity or amount of recycled material or the number of products or components associated with the product or component identifier. Additional matching criteria may be factory process data and / or material processing data in conjunction with material composition data associated with the product or component identifier or recycled material data associated with the recycled material identifier.

[0138] If a suitable factory is not identified, a storage instruction may be generated and the associated product identifier, component identifier, or recycled material identifier may be stored in a database for unassigned recycled material packages.

[0139] If a plant with recycling capabilities is identified, the product identifier, component identifier, or recycled material identifier can be matched with the material processing data or process data.

[0140] If a suitable factory is identified, the product identifier, component identifier, or recycled material identifier may be assigned to a factory identifier, which may then receive the identifier and schedule a recycling process.

[0141] If no suitable factory is identified, a storage instruction may be generated and the respective identifier may be stored in a database for unassigned packages.

[0142] Figures 11 to 13 visualize example data structures that may be implemented in an at least partially decentralized environment based on decentralized identifiers. Such data structures may be implemented in a decentralized or centralized storage environment, for example based on relational databases, graph databases, etc. The example shows batteries as the end product to be recycled. This is an arbitrary choice and is not to be considered limiting.

[0143] Battery identifiers can be associated with different components of the battery. Such battery identifiers can be matched and assigned to package identifiers as described with respect to Figure 7. Through such virtual sorting based on associated material composition, packages can be collected and / or sorted and matched to recycling processes. The method can be implemented in a network as described in Figure 3d.

[0144] The package may be assigned to a recycling plant for recycling the packaged material composition of the battery material. The package identifier may be virtually assigned to a recycling plant identifier during the first and / or second stages of the recycling process, for example as described with respect to Figures 15 and 16.

[0145] The recycled material packages produced can be assigned, via associated packaging identifiers, to further recycling plants that produce recyclates. The recyclates can be assigned, via associated packaging identifiers, to plant identifiers associated with plants that use the recyclates to produce new batteries.

[0146] Figure 14 shows an example system for operating a recycling process in a recycling chain. The example shows batteries as the end product to be recycled. This is an arbitrary selection and is not to be considered limiting. The system may include a method that may be implemented in a network such as that shown in Figure 3d or the system may be part of a network such as that shown in Figure 3d.

[0147] At the start of the recycling chain is an end-of-life product 1400. In this case, the end-of-life product 1400 is a lithium ion battery. The lithium ion battery may include identifier elements as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2. Such battery identifiers or component identifiers may be used in a decentralized computing environment or network, for example as outlined with respect to Figures 3a-3d.

[0148] An identifier for the end-of-life battery 1400 may be provided by reading an identifier element with a reader 1404, for example, as described with respect to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. Upon reading the identifier for the end-of-life battery, material composition data and other data, such as condition data collected during the life of the battery, may be accessed via the identifier. The material composition data may be accessed via a decentralized computational network. For example, the material composition data may be provided by a decentralized computational node associated with a producer or user of the material.

[0149] Based on the material composition data associated with the end-of-life batteries 1400, the battery identifiers may be sorted into packages of identifiers that can be processed together in a subsequent recycling chain. For example, the ID package generator 1406 may be configured to perform the methods described with respect to Figs. 4 and 5 for providing battery recycling data. Such data may be used to provide sorting and / or collection of batteries, for example, with sorting and / or collection instructions as described with respect to Figs. 4 and 5. For example, the collector and / or sorter system 1402 may be configured to receive such instructions and sort and / or collect the batteries based on such instructions. In other embodiments, the reader 14040 and the ID package generator 1406 may be part of the collector and / or sorter system 1402. The batteries may be directly sorted upon reading based on the classification provided by the ID package generator 1406.

[0150] Based on the condition data associated with the end-of-life battery, the battery may be discharged and / or disassembled with discharge and / or disassembly instructions. Such instructions may include analysis of condition data collected during life, an end-of-life measurement protocol for collecting condition data from the end-of-life battery, analysis of condition data collected by the end-of-life measurement protocol, or any combination thereof. Analysis of condition data collected during life may include data related to self-discharge, charge / discharge process, or state variables (e.g., cell temperature). In this manner, further processing instructions for the use of the battery 1400 may be determined without measurement efforts. The end-of-life measurement protocol may include measurements of processing capacity, power, physical or chemical properties, or resistance. Analysis of such measurement data may lead to further processing instructions for the use of the battery. Alternatively or additionally, such instructions may include discharge and / or disassembly instructions of a robotic system. For example, the discharger and / or disassembler system 1404 may be configured to receive such instructions and disassemble and / or discharge the battery 1400 based on such instructions.

[0151] Components of the end-of-life battery, such as cells, cathode elements, anode elements, electrolyte, separators, or housings, may be associated with product identifiers and / or separate component identifiers. Based on the identifier package provided by the battery recycling data, transport and / or storage instructions for the batteries or battery components, if disassembled, may be generated, for example as described with respect to Figs. 4, 5. For example, the transport and / or storage system 1406 may be configured to receive such instructions and transport and / or store the batteries or components based on such instructions. The collector and / or sorter system 1402, the discharge and / or decomposer system 1404, and the transport and / or storage system 1406 may be a recycling system connected via a decentralized computing network. The system may have associated computing nodes of the decentralized computing system. Each node may be configured to access or provide data in the decentralized computing system.

[0152] Based on the battery recycling data associated with the battery identifier and the operating data associated with the plant identifier, the battery or battery component may be assigned to a plant identifier by providing plant allocation data as described with respect to FIGS. 6-8. The plant associated with the plant identifier may be a mechanical or chemical recycling plant. The plant allocation data may include more than one plant identifier if the recycling chain includes more than one recycling plant. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 for the cathode element, the recycling chain may include mechanical processing, then pyrometallurgical processing, then hydrometallurgical processing of the battery material provided to the production process as recycled battery material. In another option, the recycling chain may include mechanical processing, then hydrometallurgical processing of the battery material provided to the production process as recycled battery material. The recycling process provides transition metals separately or already in the desired stoichiometry to make new materials. For example, the plant allocator 1408 may be configured to provide the plant allocation data and provide such plant allocation data to the chemical / mechanical plant recycling system 1410 of each plant associated with the plant identifier. Based on the plant allocation data and the location data, transport and / or sorting instructions may be generated by the transport and / or storage system 1406 as described herein, e.g., in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. For example, the plant allocator 1406 may be configured to provide the plant allocation data and provide such plant allocation data to the production system 1416 of each production plant associated with the plant identifier. The plant allocator, the transport and / or storage system 1406, and the chemical / machine plant recycling system may be part of a decentralized computing environment. Each system may have associated with it a computing node of the decentralized computing system to access and / or provide data in the decentralized computing network.

[0153] Production data may be provided by the recycle rate quota generator 1418 based on the tracked recycled material packages and recycle rate data. Any calculations may be performed via the computing environment. The computing environment may be based on a decentralized computing architecture, as described with respect to Figures 3a-3d. The collector system 1402 may include a collection mechanism that collects the batteries or components of the battery 1400 to be recycled. The sorting system 1402 may include a mechanism that sorts the batteries or components of the battery 1400 to be recycled. The factory recycling system 1410 may include a recycling plant that recycles the batteries or components of the battery to be recycled. The output of the factory recycling system 1410 may be recycled materials suitable for use in a production plant. The recycling plant may include chemical, mechanical, thermal, and / or magnetic recycling plants. The production system 1416 may include a production plant that produces batteries or components of batteries based at least in part on recycled materials as provided by the recycling plant. The input materials of the production plant may include virgin materials and recycled materials. The collector system 1404, the discharger system 1404, the transport and / or storage system 1406, the computing environment, the sorting system 1402, the production system 1416, and / or the factory recycling system 1410 may be communicatively coupled to one another. The communication may be peer-to-peer communication provided by a decentralized computing environment, as described with respect to FIG. 3d. The ID package generator 1406, the factory allocator 1408, the recycle content generator 1418 may be decentralized service applications or may be part of one or more computing nodes associated with the recycling system and / or the factory.

[0154] The computing environment, collector system, or sorting system 1402 may be configured to generate collection instructions and / or sorting instructions based on the material identifier package, for example, as described with respect to Figures 4 and 5. The computing environment, collector system, sorting system 1402, production plant system 1416, or recycling plant system may be configured to generate transport instructions and / or storage instructions based on the material identifier package, for example, as described with respect to Figures 4 and 5.

[0155] The collector system and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to provide a battery identifier to the computing environment. The battery identifier may be provided via an identification element as described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2. For example, the collector system and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to read a QR code on the battery or a component of the battery. The collector system and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to provide location data to the computing environment. The location data may be provided by a user terminal such as a sensor reading the identification element or by an identifier of a system that has registered with the service. For example, a user accessing the service may provide the location data.

[0156] The computing environment with non-central computing nodes, collector system, and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to access material data based on the provided battery identifier. The computing environment may include an ID generator configured to determine a material identifier package including a package of battery identifiers as described with respect to Figures 4 and 5. The computing environment, collector system, and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to provide the material identifier package to operate the recycling process. The computing environment, collector system, and / or sorting system 1402 may be configured to provide collection instructions and / or sorting instructions.

[0157] For example, the computing environment or a node of the computing environment may be configured to determine collection point data indicating a collection location for the batteries or battery components to be recycled based on the location of the batteries associated with the material identifier package. The collection instructions may include the collection location. The collection instructions may be provided to the collector system. The collection instructions may include the collection location of each package identifier or package of battery identifiers included in the material identifier package. In this way, the batteries or battery components may be collected such that they can be or are processed together and no further sorting is necessary. The collector system 1402 may be configured to collect the batteries or battery components to be recycled, preferably by material composition. In this way, sorting of the batteries or battery components to be recycled may be performed directly on the collection, making a further sorting process redundant. The collector system 1402 may be configured to collect the batteries or battery components to be recycled, provide the battery IDs to generate a material identifier package according to the sorting instructions, or provide the material identifier package to, for example, a sorting system, sort the battery IDs according to the sorting instructions, store the associated recycling data, or provide the associated recycling data to the sorting system, for example, by material composition.

[0158] Further for example, the computing environment or a node of the computing environment may be configured to generate sorting instructions based on a collection of package identifiers or battery identifiers. The sorting instructions may include a battery identifier for each package. The sorting instructions may be provided to the sorting system 1402. The sorting system may be configured to provide a product identifier for each battery or battery component to be recycled and to sort such batteries or battery components according to the provided sorting instructions. In this manner, batteries or battery components may be sorted by reading the identification elements such that they can be or will be processed together.

[0159] The computing environment, collector system 1402, sorting system 1402, production plant system 1416, or recycling plant system 1410 may be configured to generate transport instructions and / or storage instructions based on the material identifier package. Transport instructions may be determined based on location data of the batteries or components to be recycled and based on a target location for the batteries or components to be recycled. The target location may relate to a recycling plant that processes the material configuration. Storage instructions may be determined based on the processing capacity of the recycling plant and / or the number of batteries or components per package identification or per package of battery identifiers. If the power of the plant processing is higher than the number of batteries or components per package collected for the material configuration, storage instructions may be generated. Such storage instructions may include a storage location for storing the batteries or components thereof until the number reaches the processing capacity of the plant.

[0160] As mentioned above, there are different variations in the implementation of the methods, apparatus, and systems described herein. Different systems may implement different method steps or service components. The described embodiments are merely examples and should not be considered limiting.

[0161] Figure 15 shows an example recycling chain for a cathode active material. The example shows a battery as the end product being recycled. This is an arbitrary selection and should not be considered limiting.

[0162] The battery comprises different component materials as illustrated in FIG. 1. The recycling chain may comprise different steps and have different designs. First, end-of-life batteries may be discharged and then dismantled. The battery may be discharged and broken down into separate components such as cells. The battery components may be fed into a subsequent recycling stream. For example, mechanical processing may follow. This may include mechanical crushing (shredding) of the battery cells and separation of materials. Electrolyte residues may be removed from the active materials by drying or pyrolysis before the subsequent steps. Mechanical separation of the "black mass" (e.g., Co, Ni, Mn, C), conductive foils, and separator components may be performed by a combination of crushing, drying, screening, and sorting processes. The materials may be separated by physical properties such as particle size, morphology, density, and electrical and magnetic properties. For example, foils and active materials containing transition metals may be separated. Such recycled materials may be called black mass.

[0163] The separated components can be fed into a subsequent recycling stream. For example, battery cells can be recycled to recover transition metals contained in the electrode elements. In particular, lithium-ion batteries contain electrode active materials that contain lithium. The recycling process can follow different process layouts depending on the material composition used in the lithium-ion battery cells. The recycled materials from the mechanical recycling can be further processed by pyrometallurgy and / or hydrometallurgy. For example, depending on the composition of the material to be recycled, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, or a combination of both can be used. One process design can be based on pyrometallurgy of the battery materials followed by a hydrometallurgical treatment. Another process design can be based on a direct hydrometallurgical treatment of the battery materials. Such a process can recover transition metals separately or already in the desired stoichiometry to make new cathode active materials.

[0164] Based on the virtual packaging of the battery with the material composition via the battery identifier, the material composition of the recycled material can be tracked. Furthermore, the composition of the recycled material can be identified by classifying the battery identifier based on the associated material composition. In this way, the composition of the recycled material can be adapted for the subsequent recycling process steps. Furthermore, such tracking of the recycled material can be performed up to the recycler, and the tracking can be used, for example, to track the availability of the recycler or the recycler composition. A decentralized computing environment that allows access to specific material data via the identifier enables reliable and efficient operation throughout the recycling process, from end-of-life products to recyclers that can be reused in the production of new materials.

[0165] FIG. 16 illustrates a flow chart of an example method for providing a recycled feed content to produce at least one component of a product.

[0166] Recycling data may be provided that is associated with the use of recycled precursor materials in the production of at least one component of a product. The recycling data may indicate a recycled feed content of at least one component of the product. The recycled feed content may specify a total recycled feed content of the component or a recycled feed content per precursor. The recycling data may include a recycled amount or quota for one or more precursor products.

[0167] In the example of a battery, for an electrode active material of a lithium ion battery, a specific recycled amount or quota may be provided for a particular precursor, such as a metal such as cobalt, lithium, copper, or nickel. Additionally or alternatively, a total recycled feed content of at least one component of the product may be provided. In the example of a battery, for a lithium ion battery, a total amount or percentage of recycled content independent of the precursor may be provided. Such total amount or percentage may relate to an individual component, a combination of components, or all components. In the example of a battery, for a lithium ion battery, the total amount or percentage may relate to an electrode element including an electrode active material, an anode element including an anode active material, a cell having the component, or a battery having the component. The recycling data may specify, for example, that 20% of the copper is recycled copper, 10% of the lithium is recycled lithium, and 12% of the nickel is recycled nickel. The recycling data may specify, for example, that 15% or 20% of the transition metals are recycled transition metals. The recycling data may specify, for example, that 30% of the materials used in the production of the component are recycled materials. 20 shows one embodiment of a user interface for inputting recycling quotas. In other embodiments, such data may be provided through an application programming interface or any other service that provides such data.

[0168] Operational data associated with at least one operational characteristic of at least one production plant may be accessed and provided. Such operational data may relate to the availability of one or more recycled precursors to the production of at least one component of the product. For example, the availability may be derived from storage levels of different recycled precursors, recycle package identifiers associated with the amount of recycled precursors available from the recycling process, or recycled material identifiers including identifiers associated with the amount recycled and available from the recycling process. Such availability data may further be associated with the plant. For example, a particular material may be available at the production plant in the vicinity of the plant, for example within an area of ​​up to several hundred kilometers. Other examples of operational data may include capacity data indicative of the current capacity of the production plant, process data indicative of process details of the production plant, performance data indicative of performance details of the production plant, or emissions data associated with the production plant.

[0169] Based on the recycling data and the operational data, a recycle rate feed content of one or more recycled precursors can be determined. The recycle rate feed content of the one or more precursors can be determined as a function of a recycle rate amount of one or more precursor products, a recycle rate quota of one or more precursor products, and / or an overall recycle rate feed content of at least one of the products produced. For example, if a recycle rate amount or quota is provided, the minimum recycle rate feed content can correspond to the recycle rate amount or quota.

[0170] Further operational data may be taken into account to determine the recycle feed content of one or more recycled precursors. The operational data may include availability data derived from the identifiers. The availability data may indicate the amount of available recycled material from the recycling process. Such amount may be derived from the identifiers and material tracking as disclosed herein, such as in Figures 1-15. Advantageously, the recycled material identifiers, including the recycled packaging identifiers associated with the amount of recycled precursor available from the recycling process or the product or component identifiers associated with the amount available from the recycling process to be recycled, may be easily accessed in a decentralized computing environment, allowing for the linking of the recycled feed content for production with the recycled material from the recycling process. In this way, a reliable and environmentally friendly management of material resources combined with physical recycling and production may be achieved, which is particularly advantageous in a distributed system of material flows, recycling plants, and production plants.

[0171] For example, if precursor availability data is provided, the recycle feed content of the highly available precursors may be increased compared to the recycle amount or quota. In this way, the recycle feed content and production can be adapted to accommodate the recycle feed content. Further, for example, if a total amount or quota is provided, the recycle feed content may be spread across the different precursors. If precursor availability data is provided, the recycle feed content of the highly available precursors may be increased compared to the recycle feed content of the less available precursors. In this way, the recycle feed content and production can be adapted to accommodate the recycle feed content.

[0172] In the battery example, the determination of the recycle feed content may concern the process of making an electrode active material for a lithium ion battery. In such a process, a precursor may be formed by first co-precipitating a transition metal as a carbonate, oxide, or preferably hydroxide. A process for making particulate (oxy)hydroxides of transition metals is described, for example, in WO2021244963A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The particulate (oxy)hydroxides may serve as precursors of electrode active materials and may therefore also be referred to as precursors. The formation of a transition metal-based precursor may include recycled transition metals provided according to the determined recycle feed content in the transition metal precursor. The transition metal-based precursor may then be mixed with a precursor source of lithium, for example, but not limited to, LiOH, Li2O, or Li2CO3, and calcined (fired) at high temperature. The process for making the electrode is described, for example, in WO 2020 / 069882 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference, and the lithium salt can be employed as a hydrate or in a dehydrated form. Calcination - also commonly referred to as thermal or heat treatment of the precursor - can be carried out at a temperature ranging from 600° C. to 1000° C. During the heat treatment, a solid-state reaction occurs and the electrode active material is formed. The lithium-containing precursor can include recycled lithium or a precursor formed from recycled lithium. The recycled lithium or a precursor formed from recycled lithium can be provided according to the recycle feed content of such precursor.

[0173] One or more recycled precursors for producing at least one component of the product with the determined recycled feed content may be provided to generate instructions for operating the production plant. For example, instructions for monitoring and / or controlling the product feeds based on the composition of the components and the recycled feed content per precursor may be generated and provided to an operating system of the production plant. Apart from the feeds, further operating instructions for monitoring and / or controlling the operation of the production plant may be generated and provided. Such further instructions may include different operating parameters depending on the feed composition or recycled feed content. The operating plant may be operated based on the instructions provided for monitoring and / or controlling the operation of the production plant.

[0174] FIG. 17 illustrates another example method for providing a recycle feed content, optionally including selection of a production plant to produce at least one component of a product based on availability data.

[0175] The recycle feed content can be determined, for example, according to the example embodiment of FIG. 16. The recycling quota per precursor of the product or component produced can be provided, for example, via a user interface, as shown in FIG. 20. This can be, for example, the example of a battery including a recycling quota for metal components contained in the electrode active material. Such a recycling quota can be verified by accessing a regulatory database. It can be checked whether the recycling quota is regulated. If the recycling quota is regulated, it can be checked whether the provided recycling quota complies with the regulated recycling quota. If the recycling quota does not comply with the regulatory requirements, it can be adapted according to the regulatory requirements. For example, the recycling quota as defined can be used.

[0176] In this example, a precursor identifier and availability data may be provided to determine a recycle feed content. The precursor identifier may be associated with at least one precursor and an amount of recycled precursor available. The precursor identifier may be associated with an amount of recycled precursor available. The precursor identifier may be related to a recycled material identifier or may be derived from a product identifier or component identifier and tracking in a recycling process, for example, as described herein with respect to Figures 1-15. The determination of the recycle feed content may be performed by matching the recycling quota provided per precursor with the availability data per precursor. Such matching may be performed per precursor as described with respect to Figure 16 and may take into account an adapted recycling quota per precursor based on regulatory checks, as described above.

[0177] Additionally, throughput data related to the production throughput of one or more production plants, process data related to process details of one or more production plants, performance data related to performance characteristics of one or more production plants, and / or emissions data related to emissions for producing at least one component of the product may be provided. The emissions data may include emissions from precursor materials and emissions from the at least one production plant for producing the component or product. The emissions data may include at least one emissions target for precursor use in the production of the at least one component or product. The emissions data may include a total emissions target for producing the at least one component or product. The emissions target may be provided through a user interface, for example as shown in FIG. 22. Here, other emissions such as total emissions, production emissions, and transport emissions may be provided by the user. In other embodiments, such data may be provided through an application programming interface or any other service that provides such data.

[0178] Based on the throughput data and / or the emissions data, a factory may be selected to process the recycles and to produce at least one component using the recycle feed content. Selecting a production factory to produce the component may determine whether the factory is suitable for processing the recycles depending on the determined recycle feed content in combination with the process data and / or the throughput data. Selecting a production factory to produce the component may also be based on the emissions data and / or the performance data. A production factory may be selected that meets at least one emission target for the use of the precursor and / or meets a total emission target for the production of the at least one component. The selection of the production factory may be based on a multi-dimensional metric that defines a distance measure and / or a threshold measure. The distance measure and / or the threshold measure may be determined from the determined recycle feed content for the process data and / or the throughput data, the recycle feed content in relation to the at least one emission target for the use of the precursor, and / or the total emission target for the production of the at least one component.

[0179] Further based on the process data, for example using the composition of the recyclate tracked via identifiers along the recycling chain, the process details of the factory can be matched with the process details required for the recyclate composition. In the example of a battery, in the case of an electrode active material, the recyclate can be available with the desired stoichiometry required for the production of the electrode active material or the transition metal recyclate can be available separately. In such a case, a recyclate with the desired stoichiometry can be selected in combination with a factory suitable for producing the electrode active material from such a recyclate. In the example of a battery, the factory can be an electrode active material production factory or a cathode active material (CAM) factory that processes carbonates, oxides, or hydroxides as precursors. If only transition metal recyclates are available, another factory suitable for producing the electrode active material or the cathode active material from such a recyclate can be selected. In the example of a battery, the factory can be a precursor electrode active material production factory or a precursor cathode active material (PCAM) factory that processes transition metals as precursors.

[0180] Operational instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the production system, such as the precursor feed of the at least one virgin precursor and / or the at least one recycled precursor, can be generated and provided. Further operational instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the operation of the selected plant can be determined, for example, based on the determined recycle feed content, the emission target, the performance data, and the selected production plant. Operational instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the operation of the selected plant can be provided to the production system. The production plant can be operated based on such operational instructions.

[0181] Figure 18 illustrates another example of a method for providing a recycled feed content to produce at least one component of a product that includes a chemical performance check, and a corresponding user interface is shown in Figure 21 for illustrative purposes, where the chemical performance and related parameters are displayed.

[0182] The recycle feed content can be determined, for example, as described with respect to Figures 16 and 17. For such a determination, the recycle content of the component or per precursor can be provided. In addition, target performance parameters of the component can be provided. The recycle data can include the recycle content and target performance parameters related to the expected performance of the component produced. The target performance parameters can relate to at least one component or at least one component relative to other components. In the example of a battery, the performance of the electrode active material or the anode active material can be provided. In the case of a lithium-ion battery, such parameters can relate to energy density, charge density, degradation behavior, capacity, etc. The target performance parameters can be provided via a user interface, for example as shown in Figure 22. In the example of a battery, charge density, capacity, and degradation can be provided by the user. In other embodiments, such data can be provided through an applicator programming interface or any other service that provides such data.

[0183] In addition, availability data for each recycled precursor is accessed and provided. The recycled feed content can be determined, for example, as described with respect to Figures 16 and 17. The determination of the recycled feed content can include the determination of chemical performance associated with the component produced by using the recycled feed content. From the determined recycled feed content of one or more precursors, the chemical composition of at least one component can be determined taking into account the virgin feed content and the recycled feed content. The chemical performance of the at least one component produced at such composition can be determined. For example, in the case of a battery, the energy density or capacity resulting from the chemical composition of the electrode or anode active material can be determined based on a first principles model, a data-driven model, or a combination of both.

[0184] Thus, based on the determined recycle feed content, chemical performance parameters associated with components produced in response to the determined recycle feed content can be determined. Such determined chemical performance parameters can be compared to provided target performance parameters to determine whether the components produced using the feed composition meet a desired chemical performance.

[0185] If the chemical performance is met with the determined recycled feed content, operating instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the production system, such as the precursor feed of the at least one virgin precursor and / or the at least one recycled precursor, can be generated and provided. Further operating instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the operation of the selected plant can be determined, for example, based on the determined recycled feed content, the emission target, the performance data, and the selected production plant. Operating instructions for controlling and / or monitoring the operation of the selected plant can be provided to the production system. The production plant can be operated based on such operating instructions.

[0186] FIG. 19 illustrates another example of a method for providing a recycle feed content for producing at least one component of a product, including an emission target check and optionally a factory selection.

[0187] A recycle feed content may be determined and provided, for example, as described with respect to Figures 16, 17, and 18. Optionally, a plant to process the recycle may be selected based on the emission targets and processing capacity data, for example, as described with respect to Figures 16 and 17. From such selection, emissions related to the precursor material and the selected production plant may be determined to check whether the emission targets are met.

[0188] If the emission target is not met, the recycle feed content may be redetermined based on the total emission target or the recycle feed content may be determined based on at least one emission target related to the use of the precursor. Optionally, a different factory may be selected.

[0189] If the emission target is met, operating instructions may be generated to control the precursor feed of at least one virgin precursor and / or at least one recycled precursor based on the determined recycled feed content and / or the selected production plant. For example, operating instructions may be provided to control and / or monitor the precursor feed of at least one virgin precursor and / or at least one recycled precursor. Further operating instructions to control and / or monitor the operation of the selected plant may be determined based on the determined recycled feed content and the selected production plant. Operating instructions to control and / or monitor the operation of the selected plant may be provided, for example, to a production system. The production plant may be controlled and / or monitored according to the operating instructions.

[0190] The disclosure has been described by way of example in conjunction with the preferred embodiment. However, other variations can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art and those practicing the claimed invention upon examination of the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims. In particular, any steps specifically presented may be performed in any order, i.e., the invention is not limited to a particular order of these steps. Furthermore, it is not required that different steps be performed at a particular location or at one node of a distributed system. In other words, each of the steps may be performed at different nodes using different equipment / data processing units.

[0191] As used herein, "determining" also includes "initiating or causing a decision," "generating," "querying," "accessing," "correlating," and "matching," "selecting" also includes "initiating or causing generating, accessing, querying, correlating, selecting, and / or matching," and "providing" also includes "initiating or causing determining, generating, accessing, querying, querying, correlating, selecting, and / or matching, transmitting and / or receiving." "Initiating or causing an action" includes any process signal that triggers a computational node to perform the respective action.

[0192] In the claims and the description, the word "comprises" or "includes" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage in implementations.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, comprising: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of said product to be recycled; - determining at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by said material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant; - providing said at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes said at least one product identifier; - operating said product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with said at least one product identifier based on said at least one material identifier package; The method includes:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material composition data relates to a chemical composition of at least one component of the product.

3. 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material composition data associated with the materials used in the production of the product or the components of the product is provided by a non-central computing node associated with a producer that produces or uses the materials.

4. 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one material identifier package comprises a collection of product identifiers associated with products or components to be recycled and / or associated with the at least one material configuration that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant.

5. 2. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one material identifier package includes material composition data associated with the recycled material produced from at least one recycled component of the product, the material composition data being identified from the product identifiers and their corresponding material make-up data.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one material identifier package comprises sorting according to sorting instructions that provide the material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one factory.

7. 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein identifying the at least one material identifier package comprises providing sorting instructions executed at least in part in a decentralized computing environment, the sorting instructions collecting product identifiers according to material composition that can be or will be processed by at least one recycling plant.

8. 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product identifier is provided from a sensor that reads a product identifier element, the product identifier element being physically connected to the product or at least one component of the product to be recycled.

9. 10. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the material composition data associated with the materials used in the production of the product or the at least one component of the product is accessed by a non-central computing node associated with one or more recycling systems or associated with a sorting instruction.

10. 10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycling process is operated by providing the material identifier package to a control and / or monitoring system of a recycling system.

11. 1. An apparatus for operating a product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with at least one product identifier, the apparatus comprising: one or more computing nodes; and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, cause the apparatus to: - providing at least one product identifier and corresponding material composition data associated with at least one component of said product to be recycled; - identifying at least one material identifier package by relating at least one material configuration provided by said material configuration data to at least one material configuration that can be or is processed in at least one plant; - providing said at least one material identifier package that can be used to recycle materials contained in a product that includes said at least one product identifier; - operating said product recycling process for recycling materials contained in a product associated with said at least one product identifier based on said at least one material identifier package; An apparatus having a structure for performing the steps of the method.

12. Use of a product comprising at least one product identifier element in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or with an apparatus according to claim 11.

13. Use of a material identifier package produced by the method of any one of claims 1 to 10 for sorting, collecting, transporting, storing and / or recycling at least one component of a product to be recycled.

14. A method for sorting, collecting, transporting, storing and / or recycling at least one component of a product to be recycled, comprising the steps of providing at least one material identifier package according to the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, and generating sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions and / or recycling instructions based on the provided material identifier package, and operating the recycling process based on the at least one material identifier package by providing sorting instructions, collection instructions, transport instructions, storage instructions and / or recycling instructions for monitoring and / or control of a recycling system.

15. A computer element having instructions which, when executed by at least one computing node of a computing environment, are configured to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 14 or to perform the steps provided by the apparatus according to claim 11.

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