Balancing environmental attributes in chemical production networks

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for producing at least one chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes, and for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one chemical product produced by a chemical production network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses, and systems for managing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials and attributing them to one or more chemical products.

Background Art

[0002] Technical Background In the supply chain, the environmental impact of each supply chain participant is a major concern. Transparency among participants can help support the collective reduction of environmental impacts to address climate change. However, data sharing of environmental impact data is hindered by the lack of a common data standard and a reliable data platform. In addition, the highly specific and monolithic setup of today's data systems has made the exchange and sharing of collective actions cumbersome. Therefore, there is a need to develop metrics for quantifying the environmental impact of produced products, simplify data standards related to environmental impact, and widely enable the secure exchange of supply chain data related to environmental impact.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Summary of the Invention In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, and the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials, via chemical intermediates, into chemical products exiting the chemical production network, the method comprising: · providing input material data associated with the input materials to an operating system of the chemical production network; · determining an environmental attribute associated with the input materials based on the provided input material data; - Creating one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, the address being associated with the operating system of a chemical production network, and creating To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and optionally at least one target environment attribute, - Selecting at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to a chemical product, based on a chemical product identifier and optionally target environmental attributes. • Determine the units of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes through at least one attribution rule, - Assigning a determined unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0004] In a further embodiment, a computer-aided method for attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the method • To provide input material data associated with input materials to the chemical production network's operating system, Based on the provided input material data, determine the environmental attributes associated with the input materials, Based on the determined environmental attributes, determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, • Allocate at least one unit of the token to a further address associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, • To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute, Based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, select at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material to the chemical product, • Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0005] In a further embodiment, a computer-based method for monitoring the environmental impact of one or more chemical products, wherein one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and this method • To provide input material data associated with input materials to the chemical production network's operating system, Based on the provided input material data, determine the environmental attributes associated with the input materials, - Creating one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, the address being associated with the operating system of a chemical production network, and creating To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and optionally at least one target environment attribute, - Selecting at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to a chemical product, based on a chemical product identifier and optionally target environmental attributes. • Determine the units of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes through at least one attribution rule, - Assigning a determined unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0006] In a further embodiment, a computer-based method for monitoring the environmental impact of one or more chemical products, wherein one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and this method • To provide input material data associated with input materials to the chemical production network's operating system, Based on the provided input material data, determine the environmental attributes associated with the input materials, Based on the determined environmental attributes, determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, • Allocate at least one unit of the token to a further address associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, • To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute, Based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, select at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material to the chemical product, • Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0007] In a further embodiment, a computer-aided method for attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and this method • Providing the chemical production network with multiple input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes, including a first input material and a second input material, To provide first input material data associated with the first input material and second input material data associated with the second input material, The invention provides a unit of tokens associated with one or more environmental attributes of a first input material and a second input material, wherein the unit of tokens is stored in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, and the address is associated with the operating system of a chemical production network. • To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute, Based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, select at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material to the chemical product, • Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0008] In a further embodiment, a computer-based method for monitoring the environmental impact of one or more chemical products, wherein one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and this method • Providing the chemical production network with multiple input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes, including a first input material and a second input material, To provide first input material data associated with the first input material and second input material data associated with the second input material, The invention provides a unit of tokens associated with one or more environmental attributes of a first input material and a second input material, wherein the unit of tokens is stored in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, and the address is associated with the operating system of a chemical production network. • To provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute, Based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, select at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material to the chemical product, • Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. Computer implementation methods, including the following, are disclosed.

[0009] In a further aspect, there is provided an apparatus for allocating or attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with an input material to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input material, the chemical production network chemically converts the input material, via chemical intermediates, into chemical products exiting the chemical production network, and the apparatus comprises: · an environmental attribute determination module configured to: ○ receive input material data associated with at least one input material; and ○ determine an environmental attribute associated with at least one input material; · a distributed ledger application configured to create, at an address associated with the distributed ledger, one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute, the address being associated with an operating system of the chemical production network; · an attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material to the chemical products; · a data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with the chemical product and at least one target environmental attribute for the chemical product; · an outbound allocator configured to: ○ select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and the target environmental attribute; ○ determine at least one address holding a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via the at least one attribution rule; and ○ assign at least one unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes to the chemical product identifier. The apparatus is disclosed.

[0010] ​​ In a further embodiment, a device for assigning or attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the device • An environmental attribute determination module, ○Receive input material data associated with at least one input material, ○ Determine the environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: A distributed ledger application configured to determine, based on determined environmental attributes, at least one address holding units of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, and to allocate at least one unit of tokens to further addresses associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to chemical products, A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, It is an outbound allocator, ○ Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, ○ Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, ○ Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: An apparatus including the above is disclosed.

[0011] In another embodiment, the apparatus for monitoring the environmental impact of one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the apparatus • An environmental attribute determination module, ○Receive input material data associated with at least one input material, ○ Determine the environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: A distributed ledger application configured to create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger, wherein the address is associated with the operating system of a chemical production network, and the distributed ledger application is configured to create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger. An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to chemical products, A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, It is an outbound allocator, ○ Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, ○ Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, ○ Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: An apparatus including the above is disclosed.

[0012] In another embodiment, the apparatus for monitoring the environmental impact of one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the apparatus • An environmental attribute determination module, ○Receive input material data associated with at least one input material, ○ Determine the environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: A distributed ledger application configured to determine, based on determined environmental attributes, at least one address holding units of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, and to allocate at least one unit of tokens to further addresses associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to chemical products, A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, It is an outbound allocator, ○ Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, ○ Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, ○ Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: An apparatus including the above is disclosed.

[0013] In another embodiment, a digital operating system for a chemical production network, wherein the chemical production network chemically converts input materials into chemical products exiting the network via chemical intermediates, and this digital operating system... • An environmental attribute determination module, ○Receive input material data associated with at least one input material, ○ Determine the environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: A distributed ledger application configured to create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger, wherein the address is associated with the operating system of a chemical production network, and the distributed ledger application is configured to create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger. An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to chemical products, A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, It is an outbound allocator, ○ Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, ○ Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, ○ Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: A digital operating system is disclosed, including [the specified element].

[0014] In another embodiment, a digital operating system for a chemical production network, wherein the chemical production network chemically converts input materials into chemical products exiting the network via chemical intermediates, and this digital operating system... • An environmental attribute determination module, ○Receive input material data associated with at least one input material, ○ Determine the environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: A distributed ledger application configured to determine, based on determined environmental attributes, at least one address holding units of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, and to allocate at least one unit of tokens to further addresses associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to chemical products, A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, It is an outbound allocator, ○ Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes, ○ Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one attribution rule, ○ Assigning at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: A digital operating system is disclosed, including [the specified element].

[0015] In yet another embodiment, a computer element, in particular a computer program product or computer-readable medium, is disclosed, having instructions configured to perform any step of the methods disclosed herein when executed on one or more computing nodes. In yet another embodiment, a computer element, in particular a computer program product or computer-readable medium, is disclosed, having instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause any of the devices disclosed herein to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0016] In another embodiment, the use of chemical products associated with one or more environmental attributes for producing at least one individual product or at least one final product in a product supply chain associated with one or more environmental attributes, provided by any of the methods disclosed herein and / or produced by a chemical production network such as provided by any of the methods disclosed herein. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed for producing at least one individual product or at least one final product in a product supply chain associated with one or more environmental attributes, wherein the chemical products associated with one or more environmental attributes are provided and / or used for producing at least one individual product or at least one final product in a product supply chain associated with one or more environmental attributes, provided by any of the methods disclosed herein and / or produced by a chemical production network such as provided by any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0017] In another aspect, the Disclosure relates to a computer element having instructions configured to perform steps of the Method of the Disclosure when run on one or more computing nodes, or to be executed by the Apparatus of the Disclosure.

[0018] Any disclosures, embodiments, and examples described herein relate to the methods, systems, apparatus, chemical products, and computer elements described above and below. Advantageously, any benefits derived from any embodiment or example are also applicable to all other embodiments and examples.

[0019] Embodiment The methods, apparatus, systems, and computer elements disclosed herein provide efficient methods for tracking environmental attributes in chemical processing and for delivering chemical products that have a positive impact on the environment throughout the value chain. By converting the environmental attributes of input materials into units of tokens, such environmental attributes can be virtually balanced on a distributed ledger and efficiently assigned to chemical products produced in a chemical production network via attribution rules. In particular, in chemical networks that produce two or more chemical products from two or more input materials via interconnected, connected, and disconnected production chains, the use of tokens in combination with attribution rules ensures that environmental attributes are assigned in line with the physical setup of the chemical production network and that units of tokens (e.g., digital assets) associated with chemical products are tailored to customer needs. Virtual balancing using tokens and associated metadata structures further decouples the complexity of the material flow in the chemical production network while still allowing for adjustment of the environmental impact to suit each chemical product. In this way, the environmental impact of the produced chemical products can be determined in line with the physical setup of the chemical production network and tailored customer needs. Furthermore, the environmental characteristics of chemical products produced by the chemical production network can be made transparent to customers who further process the chemical products. By providing a chemical product identifier associated with at least one environmental attribute, the number of environmental attributes to be assigned to a product, as well as the number of tokens and associated units attached to the chemical product accordingly, can be adjusted to meet customer needs.

[0020] By using attribution rules, environmental attributes associated with input materials can be efficiently assigned to chemical products. In particular, in chemical networks producing two or more chemical products from two or more input materials via interconnected, connected, and disconnected production chains, the use of attribution rules ensures that the attribution mechanism is aligned with the physical setup of the chemical production network. The use of tokens for balancing environmental attributes further reduces the complexity of the chemical production network while still allowing the assignment of environmental impacts to chemical products. In this way, the environmental impact of the produced chemical products can be determined in accordance with the physical setup of the chemical production network. Furthermore, the environmental characteristics of chemical products produced in the chemical production network can be made transparent to customers who further process the chemical products. By providing a chemical product identifier associated with at least one target environmental attribute, the number of environmental attributes to be assigned to a product, and accordingly the number of tokens and associated units attached to the chemical product, can be adjusted to meet customer needs.

[0021] By using tokens and associated units linked to (or assigned, attributed, allocated, or attached to) chemical products, customers can easily select sustainable products (e.g., products with renewable, bio-based, sustainably sourced, and / or recycled content). Customers can use tokens and associated units to identify ways to make their value chains more sustainable. Tokens also provide a way for chemical production networks to accelerate the conversion of using sustainable raw materials as inputs and the production of chemical products that are at least partially based on sustainable materials. Particularly in chemical networks producing two or more chemical products from two or more inputs via interconnected, connected, and disconnected production chains, the use of tokens enables the attribution of environmental attributes in line with the physical setup of the chemical production network. The use of tokens removes complexity from chemical production networks while still allowing the assignment of environmental impacts to chemical products. In this way, the environmental impact of the produced chemical products can be determined in line with the physical setup of the chemical production network. Furthermore, the environmental characteristics of chemical products produced in the chemical production network can be made transparent to customers who further process the chemical products. By providing tokens and associated units linked to at least one target environmental attribute, the environmental attribute can even be tailored to customer needs.

[0022] A token can be a representation of the environmental attributes of a physical asset, such as input materials and / or chemical products, which can be exchanged among participants in a distributed ledger network and recorded on a distributed ledger. A token can be associated with a unit, which may specify a quantitative measure of the environmental attribute to which the token is linked, such as the amount of sustainably sourced, recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based content in a chemical product. The unit may specify a quantitative measure of the environmental attribute to which the token is linked, such as the amount of sustainably sourced, recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based input materials entering a chemical production network. A token can specify a qualitative measure of the environmental attribute to which the token is linked, such as the sustainable source, recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based nature of the input material. A token can be a fungible token (e.g., an asset that is not unique but is interchangeable with one another). A token can be a non-fungible token (e.g., a unique asset). This may make it possible to uniquely link a token, and therefore the environmental attribute to which the token is associated, to a specific order of chemical product produced.

[0023] Environmental attributes associated with input materials can be digital assets. Environmental attributes can digitally specify the environmental impact of input materials. Environmental attributes can be related to carbon footprint. Environmental attributes can be related to, for example, renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled content of input materials. Environmental attributes can be related to the sustainable origin of input materials. Environmental attributes can include qualitative data points related to the type of impact, for example, in light of the input material. Environmental attributes can specify types such as sustainable origin, recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based. Qualitative data points can be converted into quantitative measures such as token units. Environmental attributes can include quantitative data points related to the type of impact, for example, in light of the input material. Environmental attributes can specify sustainable origin, recycled, renewable, and / or bio-based content. Environmental attributes can include further environmental characteristics of input materials.

[0024] Environmental attributes can refer to any characteristics or features related to environmental impacts. Such characteristics may be characteristics or features of input materials and / or chemical products. Environmental attributes can indicate the environmental performance of input materials, chemical production networks, and / or chemical products. Environmental attributes can indicate certifications that document compliance with existing industry standards, particularly standards related to environmental impacts. Environmental attributes can be derived from the characteristics of input materials, chemical production networks, and / or chemical products. Environmental attributes can be associated with the environmental impact of one or more materials at any stage in the life cycle of one or more materials. Stages in the life cycle of a material or product may include the supply of raw materials, production of products such as intermediate or final products, use of products, disposal of used products, recycling of used products, disposal of used products, reuse of parts from used products, or any subset thereof. Environmental attributes can be tracked from any activities of one or more entities involved at any stage in the life cycle of one or more materials or products. Environmental attributes associated with any activities of one or more entities involved at any stage in the life cycle of one or more input materials or products can be cumulative or aggregated. Environmental attributes may be specified, generated, or derived from any activity of one or more entities involved at any stage of the lifecycle of the input material or product.

[0025] Environmental attributes may include one or more characteristics attributable to the environmental or sustainability impacts of input materials, chemical products, intermediate products, and / or final products. Environmental attributes may include environmental characteristics, technical characteristics, recyclability characteristics, or circularity characteristics associated with the environmental impacts of input materials, chemical products, intermediate products, and / or final products.

[0026] Environmental characteristics may specify or quantify ecological criteria associated with the environmental impacts of input materials, intermediate products, and / or chemical products. Environmental characteristics may be measurements obtained during the life cycle of input materials, chemical products, intermediate products, and / or final products, or may be generated or derived therefrom. Environmental characteristics may include, for example, impact categories such as carbon footprint, greenhouse gas emissions or global warming potential, primary energy demand, cumulative energy demand, biological and non-biological resource consumption, atmospheric emissions, stratospheric ozone depletion potential, ozone formation, terrestrial and / or marine acidification, water consumption, water depletion, water availability, water pollution, noise pollution, freshwater and / or marine eutrophication potential, human carcinogenicity and / or non-carcinogenic toxicity, photochemical oxidant formation, particulate matter formation, terrestrial, freshwater and / or marine ecotoxicity, ionizing radiation, agricultural and / or urban land use, land conversion, land use, indirect land use, deforestation, biodiversity, mineral resource consumption and / or fossil resource consumption. Environmental characteristics can be calculated from a combination of one or more environmental characteristics. Environmental characteristics may include material or product characteristics related to the production of materials or products, such as recycled content, bio-based content, renewable content, bio-based and sustainable vegetable oils, vegan, halal, kosher, palm oil-free, natural, etc.

[0027] Technical characteristics can specify or quantify the performance of a material or product that is at least indirectly related to its environmental impact. Technical characteristics may include, for example, product composition data, material lists, product specification data, product component data, product safety data, application characteristics data, application instructions, or product quality data. Technical characteristics may be or be derived from measurements obtained during the lifecycle of one or more materials or products. Technical characteristics can be determined at any stage of the material or product lifecycle and can characterize the performance of the material or product across or up to such stages. Technical characteristics may include, for example, composition data, inputs in the production process, material lists, product or material specification data, product or material component data, product or material safety data, application characteristics data, application instructions, or product or material quality data. Technical characteristics may include, for example, the physical, chemical, or further properties of a material or product.

[0028] Circularity characteristics can specify or quantify the life cycle characteristics of a material or product associated with cyclic use. Circularity characteristics may be or be derived from measurements obtained during the life cycle of one or more materials or products. Circularity characteristics may be or be derived from circular data recorded in one or more previous life cycles, including reuse. Circularity characteristics may be determined at any stage of the life cycle of a material or product and may characterize reuse or recycling performance across or up to such stages. Circularity characteristics may relate to technical, mechanical, chemical, and / or biological recycling. Circularity characteristics may include, for example, recycling data, reuse rates, recycling rates, recycling loops, reuse performance of reused products, and the quality of reused materials or products. Further circularity material characteristics may be derived by combining circularity characteristics.

[0029] Recyclability characteristics can specify or quantify the life cycle characteristics of a material or product associated with its recyclable use. Recyclability characteristics may include the composition of a material, including specially formulated components that make the material suitable for recycling. Recyclability characteristics may be or be generated from measurements obtained during the life cycle of one or more materials or products. Recyclability characteristics may be or be generated from recycling data recorded in one or more previous life cycles. Recyclability characteristics can be determined at any stage of the life cycle of a material or product and can characterize the recycling performance across or up to such stages. Recyclability characteristics may include, for example, recycling data, recyclability data, and recycling efficiency.

[0030] Input materials may include any unseparated materials, for example, solid or liquid materials in continuous volume. Input materials may include starting materials used in any process carried out in a chemical production network to produce chemical products. Input materials may include chemical materials such as natural, organic or inorganic chemical materials. Input materials may include unused materials, for example, input materials that have not undergone a previous production and use cycle, in particular, unprocessed and / or unused. Input materials may include recycled materials that have undergone at least one recycling step. Input materials may be selected from petrochemical raw materials such as naphtha and natural gas, or intermediates from such raw materials that thus require a certain amount of naphtha, crude oil and natural gas. Input materials may be selected from natural raw materials such as vegetable oils, biologics and / or naturally occurring inorganic or organic chemicals such as enzymes, or intermediates from such raw materials that thus require a certain amount of vegetable oils, biologics and / or naturally occurring inorganic or organic chemicals. Input materials may include conventional vegetable oils, unconventional vegetable oils, or both. Unconventional vegetable oils may include vegetable oils of sustainable origin. The inputs may include raw materials for hydrolysis plants. Examples of inputs include sustainably produced vegetable oils (sustainable vegetable oils), such as sustainable palm oil, sustainable palm kernel oil, sustainable coconut oil, sustainable rapeseed oil, sustainable soybean oil, or combinations thereof. Palm oil and palm kernel oil may be produced from the fruit of the palm oil tree. Palm oil may be produced by crushing the fruit of the palm oil tree. Palm kernel oil may be produced by pressing palm kernels. The sustainable origin of vegetable oils may relate to their production. In particular, the sustainable origin may relate to the growth of the plants used to produce the vegetable oils. The inputs may be supplied to at least one hydrolysis plant or any plant in the production chain for downstream products such as fatty acids, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, and soaps. The inputs may include or may include any inputs that enter the chemical production network and are supplied at any input point in the chemical production network. The inputs may be any materials that enter the system boundary of the chemical production network.

[0031] A chemical product may include or may include any material produced by a chemical production network using at least one input material. A chemical product may include or may include any chemical product produced by a chemical production network and supplied at any exit point of the chemical production network. A chemical product or output material may be produced by a chemical production network from input materials. A chemical product or output material may include any material that leaves the system boundary of the chemical production network. A chemical product may be produced from input materials through one or more chemical and / or physical processes. Thus, chemical intermediates produced from input materials may be used to produce a chemical product or output material. A chemical process may include a chemical reaction. A chemical reaction may include any chemical reaction well known in the art in which reactants are converted into one or more different chemical products. A chemical reaction may include the use of catalysts, enzymes, bacteria, etc., to achieve the chemical reaction between reactants. A physical process may include mixing, separation, and / or extrusion.

[0032] A chemical production network may include multiple types of production processes for producing different chemical products from input materials. A chemical production network may include a complex production network that produces multiple chemical products across multiple production chains or value chains. A production chain or value chain may include one or more processes configured to produce one chemical product or class of chemical products from one or more input materials. A chemical production network may include connected, interconnected, and / or disconnected production chains. The production chains included in a chemical production network may be defined by the physical system boundary of the chemical production network. The system boundary may be defined by the location or control of the production process. The system boundary may be defined by the locations of the chemical production network. The system boundary may be defined by a production process jointly controlled by one or more entities. The system boundary may be defined by a value chain having time-staggered production processes to the final product, which may be controlled individually or collectively by multiple entities. A chemical production network may include a waste recovery and sorting step, a recycling step such as pyrolysis, a cracking step such as steam cracking, a production step to produce chemical products or intermediates from the provided inbound materials, a separation step to separate intermediates from one process step, and a further processing step to convert such products into chemical products that exit the system boundary of the chemical production network. A chemical production network may produce multiple intermediates from input materials and one or more chemical products from intermediates. Input materials can enter the chemical production network at input points. Chemical products can exit the production network at exit points (feedout points).

[0033] A chemical production network may include one or more input points where input materials are supplied to the chemical production network. Input materials may include fossil materials, non-fossil materials, or both. Fossil input materials may include crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Non-fossil input materials may include renewable materials, bio-based materials, or recycled materials. Input materials may include raw materials for gasification plants, steam crackers, synthesis gas plants, or hydrolysis plants. Input materials may include synthesis gas produced from fossil raw materials, non-fossil raw materials, or both. Input materials may include, for example, pyrolysis oil from recycled waste, synthesis gas produced from recycled waste, naphtha produced from bio-based materials (bionaphtha), methane from bio-based materials (biomethane), biogas produced from the decomposition of organic materials, or a combination thereof. Examples of input materials include sustainably produced vegetable oils (sustainable vegetable oils), such as sustainable palm oil, sustainable palm kernel oil, sustainable coconut oil, sustainable rapeseed oil, sustainable soybean oil, or a combination thereof. The input materials may be supplied to at least one gasification plant, steam cracker, synthesis gas plant, hydrolysis plant, or any plant in the production chain for downstream products such as nitrogen, ammonia, methanol, ethylene, propylene, sulfur, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, soap, etc.

[0034] Input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes, provided at input points in a chemical production network, may include, but are not limited to, recycled pyrolysis oil, recycled pyrolysis gas, recycled synthesis gas, recycled hydrogen, recycled naphtha, recycled methane, recycled ethane, recycled propane, recycled chemicals, or combinations thereof. Recycled chemicals may include, but are not limited to, recycled ammonia, recycled methanol, recycled ethylene, recycled propylene, recycled benzene, recycled toluene, recycled xylene, or combinations thereof. In the context provided herein, recycled input materials may include at least partially recycled components and / or any materials at least partially produced from recycled components. Recycled components may be physically and / or chemically traceable.

[0035] Input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes provided at input points in a chemical production network may include, but are not limited to, renewable pyrolysis oils, renewable pyrolysis gases, renewable synthesis gases, renewable hydrogen, renewable naphtha, renewable methane, renewable ethane, renewable propane, renewable chemicals, or combinations thereof. Renewable chemicals may include, but are not limited to, renewable ammonia, renewable methanol, renewable ethylene, renewable propylene, renewable benzene, renewable toluene, renewable xylene, or combinations thereof. In the context provided herein, renewable input materials may include any material that at least partially contains and / or is produced at least partially from renewable content. Renewable content may be physically and / or chemically traceable.

[0036] Input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes provided at input points in a chemical production network may include, but are not limited to, bio-based pyrolysis oils, bio-based pyrolysis gases, bio-based synthesis gases, bio-based hydrogen, bio-based naphtha, bio-based methane, bio-based ethane, bio-based propane, bio-based chemicals, or combinations thereof. Bio-based chemicals may include, but are not limited to, bio-based ammonia, bio-based methanol, bio-based ethylene, bio-based propylene, bio-based benzene, bio-based toluene, bio-based xylene, or combinations thereof. In the context provided herein, bio-based input materials may include any material that at least partially contains and / or is produced at least partially from bio-based components. Bio-based components may be physically and / or chemically traceable.

[0037] Inputs associated with one or more environmental attributes provided to input points in a chemical production network may include inputs with sustainable origins. Origin may refer to a geographical name representing the production and harvesting zone of the input (e.g., a plant used to produce the input, such as vegetable oil). Origin may be considered sustainable if the origin of the inbound material is deemed to meet established sustainability requirements for each inbound material. Such sustainability requirements include biodiversity, carbon sequestration, peatlands, and / or land-use change. Biodiversity requirements may include the protection of primary forests and other (primary) woodlands, i.e., native forests and other woodlands where there are no clear visible signs of human activity and ecological processes are not significantly disrupted. Biodiversity requirements may include the protection of nature reserves designated by law or the relevant competent authority for the purpose of nature conservation. Biodiversity requirements may include the protection of rare, endangered, or critically endangered ecosystems or species recognized by international agreements or included in lists created by intergovernmental organizations or the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Carbon storage requirements may include the protection of wetlands, i.e., land that is permanently or for most of the year covered or saturated with water, and / or continuously planted areas, i.e., land exceeding 1 hectare with trees that are taller than 5 meters and have a canopy cover of more than 30%, or capable of reaching these thresholds in place, and / or land exceeding 1 hectare with trees that are taller than 5 meters and have a canopy cover within a specified range, or capable of reaching these thresholds in place, unless evidence is provided. Peatland requirements may include ensuring that raw materials for vegetable oil production are not made from land that was peatland on a specific date in the past. Land-use change requirements (LUC requirements) may refer to the need to minimize greenhouse gas emissions resulting from changes in land use after a specific year. Land-use change should be understood as changes in land cover between the six land categories used by the IPCC (forests, grasslands, farmland, wetlands, developed land and other land) plus a seventh category of perennial grass crops.Inputs with sustainable origins may include conventional vegetable oils, non-conventional vegetable oils, or both, as listed above. Sustainable origins may be traceable through data such as certificates demonstrating compliance with defined sustainability requirements. For example, the sustainable origin of palm kernel oil and palm oil may be demonstrated by RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certificates. The origin of vegetable oils may be documented by storing data associated with each step in the vegetable oil supply chain, for example, within a distributed ledger network. Steps in the vegetable oil supply chain may include cultivation, extraction, transportation, and refining. Data obtained at each step may be checked against specific criteria to ensure that no false data is stored and that the origin of the plant is properly documented. Such data may be associated with certificates to enable verification of sustainable origins.

[0038] A chemical production network may include identity-preserving or separation production chains. In this context, identity-preserving or separation may refer to the preservation or separation of environmental attributes of input materials in the production chain. An example is bio-based, renewable, or recycled input materials used to produce chemical products that do not contain fossils. A further example is fossil input materials used to produce chemical products that contain fossils. An example is input materials with sustainable origins used to produce chemical products that contain ingredients of sustainable origins. A further example is input materials with unsustainable origins used to produce chemical products that contain ingredients of unsustainable origins. A chemical production network may include non-identity-preserving or non-separation production chains. In this context, non-identity-preserving or non-separation may refer to the mixing of input materials associated with environmental attributes. For example, non-identity-preserving or non-separation in this context refers to the mixing of input materials associated with environmental attributes with fossil input materials or input materials with unsustainable origins in the production chain. An example is mixing fossil input materials with renewable input materials to produce chemical products that contain both fossils and renewable ingredients. A further example is the mixing of input materials with sustainable and unsustainable origins to produce chemical products containing substances of sustainable and unsustainable origins.

[0039] Creating a token linked to at least one determined environmental attribute with an address associated with a distributed ledger network may involve generating transaction data and providing the generated transaction data to the distributed ledger network. The transaction data may include a new token object that defines the token name, token description, token symbol, the number of decimal places to which each unit of the token can be subdivided, the initial quantity of the token (e.g., initial units), the address associated with the operating system, and token control functions that define one or more functions of the token, such as mint, burn, transfer, approve, and / or balancing functions. The new token object may be generated based on an existing token template. A token template may include templates corresponding to (1) fungible assets with variable supply (i.e., assets that are not unique but are interchangeable), (2) fungible assets with fixed supply, (3) non-fungible assets with variable supply (i.e., assets that are unique), and (4) non-fungible assets with fixed supply. A token template may include control functions. By using token templates to generate transaction data, the token creation process can be simplified, ensuring that the generated tokens include all necessary token control functions and enable desirable token handling.

[0040] Transaction data may include a first address associated with the operating system, a second address associated with the operating system, and the quantity of tokens to be transferred. Transaction data can be provided to the distributed ledger network as described above. When a transaction is executed, the quantity of tokens specified in the transaction data is transferred from the first address to the second address or further addresses. Therefore, the balance of the first address decreases by the quantity specified in the transaction data, and the balance of the second address increases by the same quantity. This makes it possible to transfer previously minted units of tokens to further addresses.

[0041] Transaction data may be signed with a private key associated with the operating system. The generated transaction data may be provided to a node of the distributed ledger network for token deployment (e.g., creation). Tokens may be created at the address specified in the transaction data. Thus, after the successful deployment of tokens, the balance at the address specified in the transaction data will hold the quantity of tokens specified in the transaction data. The generated transaction data may be provided to a node of the distributed ledger network for the transfer of a specified unit of tokens from a specified first address to a specified second address.

[0042] A distributed ledger network can be a peer-to-peer network with multiple nodes. Each node may contain a peer-to-peer application in the form of a distributed ledger. Each node may contain a peer-to-peer application in the form of a shared database. Each node may contain the same peer-to-peer application. A distributed ledger can be configured to store data, such as tokens and associated units, the transfer of token units, the creation of tokens and associated units, the burning of token units, etc., along with specific proofs or signatures. A distributed ledger can be further configured to store computer code in the form of executable means. In particular, executable means can be invoked by a transaction to the (unique) communication address of the executable means in a so-called "smart contract". This executable means can be processed on multiple nodes of the peer-to-peer network. Executable means (e.g., smart contracts) or processing logic can be stored and executed in the so-called "cryptographic conditions" of the Interledger Protocol (ILP), such that not all of the code of the executable means necessarily needs to be stored in a smart contract such as an Ethereum smart contract. Alternatively, the executable means (smart contracts) can be stored and executed on decentralized computing marketplaces (e.g., Ethereum computing marketplace, Trubit, Golem, Cryplets, Microsoft).

[0043] A distributed ledger or shared database may be readable by any entity in the product ecosystem, including raw material manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, component manufacturers, assembly manufacturers, finished product manufacturers, finished product users, used product collectors, and recyclers in a peer-to-peer network. A distributed ledger or shared database may be readable by at least some of the participants in a peer-to-peer network. A distributed register, at least its public portion (i.e., one without private contracts), may be readable by at least each participant in the peer-to-peer network. Peer-to-peer network nodes may send or write messages to peer-to-peer applications. Messages or transactions sent to an executable may initiate the execution of the executable's code, using data stored in the executable (transaction criteria and / or other data). For example, sending transaction data indicating the generation of new units of a previously generated token to such an executable may result in the generation of further units of such tokens (e.g., minting).

[0044] Information between peer nodes can be exchanged via a peer-to-peer messaging system. That is, a peer node can submit information or trigger an action by sending a message to another peer node. Messages can be cleartext, signed, hashed, timestamped, and / or encrypted. In other words, it is not necessary to store all data exchanged between peer nodes in a distributed register.

[0045] A peer-to-peer application can be built on a peer-to-peer network that includes the following elements: consensus system / protocol, data structure, Merkle tree, public key signing, and / or Byzantine fault tolerance. It can replicate data based on consensus principles. It can be auditable and traceable. A peer-to-peer application can be a distributed ledger (e.g., a blockchain) containing at least two blocks linked together. A blockchain can be a decentralized peer-to-peer based register where tokens linked to environmental attributes can be created, transferred, and burned (e.g., transferred to an address not associated with a private key). A blockchain can be a free-participation blockchain. A blockchain can be a permissioned blockchain. A blockchain can be public. A blockchain can be a consortium blockchain. A blockchain can be a private blockchain. Alternatively, a peer-to-peer application can be formed by multiple blockchains connected via mechanisms such as sidechains or smart contracts. A peer-to-peer node can run one or more different blockchain clients. Data in a peer-to-peer application can be stored in "distributed ledger technology". A distributed ledger can manage (encrypt) data storage accessible over the internet, such as distributed data storage, object stores and databases (e.g., Interplanetary File System (IPFS) or storj) or distributed blockchain databases (e.g., BigChainDB). Access to encrypted data by third-party entities can be managed through access mechanisms formed as one or more smart contracts on the blockchain.

[0046] Transaction data can be generated and transmitted to a distributed ledger network via a peer-to-peer module. A peer-to-peer module may provide an interface module, such as an Application Programming Interface (API), and a distributed application for communication with computer nodes in the peer-to-peer network, or a peer-to-peer application such as a blockchain or smart contract on a blockchain. For example, a peer-to-peer module does not necessarily have to include a peer-to-peer application and does not have to be a node in the peer-to-peer network. This makes it possible to reduce the processing power required for the peer-to-peer module. For example, such a peer-to-peer module may transmit cleartext or encrypted information to communicate with the peer-to-peer network, or it may create a secure connection (e.g., a tunnel) to a peer-to-peer gateway (or so-called "remote node"). A distributed application of software may include at least a local algorithm configured to generate data, such as transaction data, and transmit it to a peer-to-peer application via an API. A distributed application (so-called "Dapp") is at least configured to generate and transmit such data. For example, a peer-to-peer module may be a so-called "light node" or distributed application (Dapp) connected to a remote node. Data and messages may be signed or encrypted. Data and messages may be transmitted to peer-to-peer nodes running peer-to-peer applications such as blockchain via cryptographically secure tunnels or secure internet connections. Trusted execution environments such as Intel SGX, TPM, or direct anonymous authentication modules may be integrated into peer-to-peer modules to securely deploy executable means and / or data to devices.

[0047] Alternatively, a peer-to-peer module can be a peer-to-peer node that contains at least a portion of a peer-to-peer application. For example, a peer-to-peer module may contain the entire data content of a peer-to-peer application. A peer-to-peer module may include decentralized applications, APIs, and peer-to-peer applications such as blockchains or distributed ledgers.

[0048] A peer-to-peer network may include one or more validation peers or full nodes. Such validation nodes may be configured to perform validation processes, such as creating new entries in a distributed ledger or shared database. Peer-to-peer network nodes may further include one or more observation nodes. Observation nodes may be configured to validate transactions to establish a trust level, but they do not validate all transactions performed by validation peers. A peer-to-peer network may include one or more mining nodes. Such mining nodes may participate in proof-of-work consensus algorithms. Such mining nodes may add new blocks to the blockchain when they solve mathematical problems associated with proof-of-work algorithms.

[0049] Data stored on a distributed ledger can be stored in cleartext. Data stored on a distributed ledger can be encrypted, and keys can be handled via the distributed ledger. Transactions of token units can be stored in cleartext on the blockchain. Privacy protection, secure transactions, or computer code execution can be achieved using cryptographic tools such as zero-knowledge (zk) proofs or zk-simple non-interactive proofs (zk-SNARKs). A transaction or algorithm is divided into two parts: an executable means on the distributed ledger (e.g., a smart contract) and a further executable means (e.g., a private contract). Privacy protection protocols can ensure data privacy and the accuracy of code execution (SNARK verification can be performed via smart contracts on the chain). Private contract computation can be performed by a set of nodes, an off-chain computer, or in a secure hardware enclave for proof and sealing that cannot be manipulated by other software code running on a measured startup environment or device. Alternatively, secure multi-party computing (sMPC) systems may be used for transaction privacy. Examples of privacy-preserving protocols and computations include HAWK and MIT Enigma. By using zero-knowledge proofs (zk proofs), it becomes possible to verify that an algorithm is executing correctly in a private contract without disclosing the input data to the verifier. zk proofs can be stored in and / or validated by peer-to-peer applications. In addition, selective privacy can be achieved by sharing the key to decrypt transactions for reporting and auditing purposes.

[0050] An address holding tokens linked to environmental attributes can be considered a virtual balancing account that stores data related to environmental attributes in the form of tokens and associated units. Therefore, the address can be used for balancing environmental attributes. The address may be associated with an operating system. The address may be associated with a chemical product network. The address may be associated with an entity operating a chemical production network. The address may be associated with metadata that identifies the environmental attributes linked to the tokens and associated units assigned to the address. The address may be associated with metadata that identifies the production chain to which the address is associated. The address may be associated with metadata that identifies the input or chemical product to which the address is associated. The metadata may be stored in a database associated with the operating system and may be used to determine the appropriate address for assigning units of tokens to chemical product identifiers. The address may be part of a virtual balancing system that includes multiple addresses. The address may hold units of tokens for transactions. Units of tokens, and therefore the environmental attributes linked to the tokens, may be transferred to (e.g., added to) or transferred from (e.g., subtracted from) the address. Addresses can be associated with allocation schemes such as segregated allocation, non-segregated allocation like book-and-claim, mass balance with free attribution, mass balance without free attribution, or a combination thereof.

[0051] At least one attribution rule may specify an allocation scheme associated with an address. At least one attribution rule may specify the attribution of environmental attributes associated with input materials and chemical production networks to environmental attributes associated with chemical products. At least one attribution rule may depend on chemical product identifiers and environmental attributes. At least one attribution rule may include instructions to attribute environmental attributes of input materials via tokens and associated units to at least one address associated with the operating system. At least one attribution rule may include instructions to transfer units of tokens linked to environmental attributes from at least one address. At least one attribution rule may include instructions to link units of tokens linked to environmental attributes to chemical products or chemical product identifiers. Such a link may include the transfer of said units of tokens from an address such that the address's balance decreases by the amount of the transferred units. This ensures that the units of tokens, and therefore the environmental attributes assigned to the produced chemical products, are no longer available in the virtual accounting system, and thus ensures that the environmental attributes of input materials represented by the units of tokens are used only once for the assignment to chemical products.

[0052] At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that is certified or uncertified. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that is dependent on input materials. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that is dependent on a chemical network or production chain. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that is dependent on a chemical product. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that is certified or uncertified. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute certified under a particular certification scheme. At least one attribution rule may be associated with an environmental attribute type related to an environmental attribute that conforms to a particular attribution scheme.

[0053] At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical production network producing at least one chemical product. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical production network comprising one or more production chains. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical production network comprising one or more process steps that convert input materials into one or more intermediates and / or one or more chemical products. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one process setup of a chemical production network.

[0054] At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one attribution scheme that specifies balancing or environmental attributes. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one segregated or non-segregated attribution scheme. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one non-segregated attribution scheme. At least one attribution rule may be associated with one or more non-segregated attribution schemes, such as a mass balancing scheme with free attribution, a mass balancing scheme without free attribution, or a book-and-claim scheme.

[0055] At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one input material characterized by at least one environmental attribute type. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one input material type entering a chemical production network. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one input material used to produce one or more chemical products.

[0056] At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical product characterized by at least one environmental attribute type. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical product type leaving a chemical production network. At least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one chemical product type produced from one or more input materials.

[0057] At least one attribution rule can be associated with a token. At least one attribution rule can be associated with an environment attribute type.

[0058] A token and at least one attribution rule may be associated with corresponding metadata, at least partially. A token and at least one attribution rule may be associated with corresponding metadata. A token and at least one attribution rule may be associated with partially corresponding metadata. A set of metadata associated with a token and at least one attribution rule may match all data points of the metadata. A set of metadata associated with a token and at least one attribution rule may be associated with at least one environmental attribute type, at least one chemical production network, at least one production chain, at least one attribution scheme, at least one input material type, at least one chemical product type, or a combination thereof. An input material type may be associated with the characteristics of the input material, such as recycled material, bio-based material, sustainably sourced material, or renewable material. An input material type may be associated with the material and its use or input point, such as pyrolysis oil used in a steam cracker or synthesis gas plant, biogas used in a steam cracker or synthesis gas plant, or sustainably sourced vegetable oil used in a hydrolysis plant. An input material type may be associated with the origin of the input material. The input material type may relate to the production process of the input material, such as mechanically or chemically recycled materials.

[0059] An attribution rule may include instructions that determine one or more addresses accessible (e.g., usable to transfer units of tokens) for at least one chemical product. At least one attribution rule may include instructions that determine one or more accessible addresses and / or units of tokens accessible for at least one chemical product. An attribution rule may be associated with metadata indicating one or more accessible addresses for at least one chemical product. An attribution rule may include instructions that verify or validate one or more accessible addresses for at least one chemical product. An attribution rule may include instructions that determine, verify and / or validate one or more accessible addresses for at least one chemical product. To determine one or more accessible addresses for at least one chemical product, an attribution rule may be associated with a chemical product or chemical product type.

[0060] Attribution rules may include instructions for determining the input materials used to produce a chemical product. Attribution rules may include instructions for accessing a materials table containing input material data, chemical product data, and process data. From the materials table, an accessible environmental attribute type, and therefore a unit of tokens, may be determined for at least one chemical product. From the environmental attribute type, one or more accessible addresses may be determined for at least one chemical product.

[0061] An attribution rule may include instructions to match the metadata of a token with the chemical product type corresponding to a chemical product. To determine one or more accessible addresses for at least one chemical product, the attribution rule may be associated with a production chain. Such metadata matching may be performed on any combination of metadata associated with a token and the attribution rules outlined above.

[0062] To verify that one or more addresses are accessible for at least one chemical product, an attribution rule may be associated with a chemical product type and one or more addresses. During verification, one or more addresses accessible for at least one chemical product are determined and can be compared with one or more addresses associated with the attribution rule. To verify that one or more addresses are accessible for at least one chemical product, an attribution rule may be associated with a chemical product type and one or more tokens. During verification, one or more addresses holding tokens accessible for at least one chemical product are determined and can be compared with one or more tokens associated with the attribution rule.

[0063] To validate one or more addresses accessible for at least one chemical product, attribution rules may be associated with the chemical product type and one or more addresses. To validate one or more addresses accessible for at least one chemical product, attribution rules may be associated with the chemical product type and one or more tokens. During validation, the metadata and / or balance of one or more addresses accessible for at least one chemical product may be checked to ensure that they are validly accessible.

[0064] Chemical products can be produced by a chemical production network that provides input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes. Chemical products can be produced by a production chain of a chemical production network that provides input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes. Chemical products can be produced from input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes.

[0065] A chemical product may include one or more identifiers associated with the chemical product. Identifiers may relate to chemical product classes, specific chemical products, and / or environmental properties of the chemical product. Identifiers may include unique numbers uniquely associated with chemical product classes, specific chemical products, and / or properties of chemical products. Identifiers may include one or more specific identifiers, such as chemical product class identifiers, specific chemical product identifiers, and / or chemical product property identifiers. Such specific identifiers may be uniquely linked to chemical products. For example, one or more property identifiers may be uniquely linked to a chemical product identifier. A chemical product identifier may be uniquely linked to a specific chemical product. In this way, a chemical product may be uniquely linked to a digital twin of a chemical product that specifies specific properties of the chemical product.

[0066] A chemical product identifier may include one or more identifiers associated with one or more environmental attributes. Identifiers may include environmental attribute identifiers, such as unique environmental attribute identifiers, that relate to environmental attributes assignable to a chemical product. Environmental attribute identifiers may be associated with a chemical product class or a specific chemical product. For example, environmental attribute identifiers may be associated with recycled content, bio-based content, and / or renewable content, each having its own unique material identifier as an environmental attribute. A specific environmental attribute or a specific combination of environmental attributes may be associated with a unique environmental attribute identifier.

[0067] A chemical product identifier may include, be linked to, or be associated with, a unique batch number and / or order number. The batch number may be linked to the physical entity of the chemical product batch produced. The order number may be linked to a transaction specifying the shipment of a chemical product batch from the chemical product producer to a user who further processes the chemical product.

[0068] Chemical product identifiers are associated with the product specifications of chemical products. Chemical product identifiers and target environmental attributes may be provided in response to receiving data related to orders associated with chemical products. Order data may be received from chemical product consumers. Order data may include instructions that a chemical product should be associated with at least one environmental attribute. Chemical product identifiers may be provided based on order data. By triggering the provision of chemical product identifiers and target environmental attributes, it becomes possible to assign environmental attributes to the chemical products produced via units of tokens linked to those attributes, if requested by the customer, thus ensuring that the produced chemical products meet the customer's needs regarding environmental attributes while avoiding an automated process of assigning environmental attributes based on the input materials used to produce each chemical product. This makes it possible to provide chemical products associated with the required environmental attributes while maintaining a flexible supply of input materials and production of chemical products based on available input materials.

[0069] In one embodiment, the environmental attributes associated with an input material may relate to or be associated with renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled content and / or sustainable origin. For example, an input material derived from organic waste may be associated with the environmental attributes "recycled" and "bio-based." An input material derived from organic waste may be a bio-based recycled input material. An input material with a sustainable origin may be associated with the environmental attribute "sustainable origin." Furthermore, for example, an input material derived from wood waste may be associated with the environmental attributes "recycled," "bio-based," and "renewable." An input material derived from wood waste may be a bio-based renewable and recycled input material. In the context provided herein, renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled input materials may include any material that at least partially contains renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled content and / or is at least partially produced from renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled content. Renewable, bio-based, and / or recycled content may be physically and / or chemically traceable. Sustainable origin may be traceable by data obtained along the supply chain associated with the input material. Environmental attributes associated with input materials such as vegetable oils may be linked to the production of the input materials. The production of input materials may include plant growth, harvesting, transportation, oil extraction, and / or refining. Sustainable origins may be traceable through data obtained during the production of input materials. For example, data relating to at least some of the production steps, including the production of input materials, may be stored in a distributed ledger network. Such data may include data relating to the geographical location of the plants grown to produce input materials such as vegetable oils. Such data may include data relating to the harvesting of such plants. Such data may include data relating to the transportation of such harvested plants or parts thereof to a grinder. Such data may include data relating to the processing of the harvested plants or parts thereof, such as data relating to the grinding process, data relating to the pressing process, and / or data relating to the refining process.Before storing such data in a distributed ledger network, it can be validated. This ensures that only correct data is stored in the distributed ledger network, thus avoiding the storage of incorrect data that could later be used for false authentication. For example, data related to sustainable origins can be checked against location data associated with the plant's growth before storing the sustainable origin of such plants and the vegetable oils produced therefrom.

[0070] In one embodiment, environmental attributes are associated with or correspond to certificate data indicating the production of input materials, such as vegetable oil, in accordance with a predetermined production standard. The predetermined production standard may include different impact areas of input material production. Such areas may be defined by different data points, such as data points associated with prosperity, humans, and nature. Data points associated with prosperity may include data on ethical and transparent conduct, data on lawful operation, and data on respect for rights. Data points associated with humans may include data on human rights and communities, data on supporting smallholder farmer inclusion, and data on workers' rights and conditions. Data points associated with nature may include data on ecosystem and environmental protection. The predetermined production standard may include the aforementioned biodiversity, carbon sequestration, peatlands, and / or land-use change.

[0071] In one embodiment, input material data includes data associated with the production of the input material. Data associated with the production of an input material, such as vegetable oil, may include data associated with the growth of the input material or the plants used to produce the input material, data associated with the harvesting of the plants used to produce the input material, data associated with the processing of the harvested plants used to produce the input material, data associated with the transportation of the harvested plants, data associated with the transportation of the processed plants, data associated with the transportation of the input material, or a combination thereof. Data associated with the growth of the plants used to produce the input material may include location data associated with the field where the plants grew. Data associated with the production of an input material may be stored in a distributed ledger network. This makes it possible to track and trace the production steps of the input material. This also makes it possible to prove the sustainable origin of the input material. For example, such data may be used to obtain a certificate certifying the sustainable origin of the input material. If such data is validated before being stored in a distributed ledger network, this increases the reliability associated with the data and therefore makes it possible to obtain a certificate using such data.

[0072] In one embodiment, input material data may include measured or determined physical and / or chemical properties of the input material, data associated with the delivery of the input material, input material identifier, LOT number, batch number, certificate data, or a combination thereof. Inbound material identifiers may include any identifier uniquely associated with the inbound material. Inbound identifiers may relate to one specific physical entity of the inbound material, such as a batch or packaged material. Inbound identifiers may relate to a group of physical entities of the inbound material, such as a batch or packaged material produced from a single production chain or site, such as a production chain or site included in a chemical production. Inbound material identifiers may relate to a continuous or semi-continuous stream of inbound material supplied to a chemical production. Identifiers may refer to a flow of inbound material supplied to a chemical production, for example, over a specific time period or from a specific supplier. LOT numbers may be assigned to the inbound material at the time of production of the material. LOT numbers may refer to identification numbers assigned to a specific quantity or lot of inbound material from a single manufacturer. LOT numbers can typically be found on the outside of the packaging of inbound materials. Order numbers can be assigned to a specific physical entity, a quantity, or a group of inbound materials transferred to a chemical production network. Order numbers can be assigned to inbound material transfers. Order numbers can be associated with inbound material producer identification information and the entities operating the chemical production network. This is a certificate that proves environmental attributes. Certificate data may include the certificate type, allocation method, environmental attributes, the quantity of inbound materials associated with the environmental attributes, the amount of inbound materials, producer identifier, inbound material identifier, or a combination thereof. Certificates can be generated by certification bodies and can indicate that the inbound materials meet the requirements associated with the certificate. For example, a certificate may prove at least one environmental attribute of the inbound material, such as its sustainable origin.

[0073] In one embodiment, input material data may be provided via a physical identifier attached to the physical entity of the input material. The physical identifier may include codes such as barcodes, QR codes (registered trademarks), embossed codes, RFID tags, and markers. The physical identifier may be associated with a distributed identifier. The distributed identifier may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the input material. The distributed identifier may include a universally unique identifier (UUID) or a digital identifier (DID). The distributed identifier may be issued by a central or distributed identifier issuer. The distributed identifier may be linked to authentication and / or authorization information. Through the distributed identifier and its unique association with the input material producer and input material data, access to the input material data may be controlled by the input material producer. This is in contrast to a central authority scheme, in which identifiers are provided by such central authority and access to data is controlled by such central authority. In this context, distributed refers to the use of identifiers in implementations controlled by data owners, such as input material producers.

[0074] Input material suppliers and chemical product producers may be part of a product ecosystem. A product ecosystem may include different stages, including manufacturing, use, and reuse. In these stages, one or more ecosystem stakeholders may contribute to the manufacturing, use, or reuse of a product. For example, the manufacturing stage may include raw material manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, and / or final product manufacturers. Furthermore, for example, the use stage may include product users, product service providers, and / or product distributors. Furthermore, for example, the reuse stage may include recovery companies, sorting companies, dismantling companies, recyclers, repair companies, and / or refurbishment companies.

[0075] Participants in a product ecosystem may be connected via a decentralized network. The decentralized network may include computing nodes associated with product ecosystem participants and may be configured to execute data transactions. Computing nodes associated with product ecosystem participants may be associated with producers, users, or reusers of physical products, such as input material producers, chemical product producers, intermediate product producers, final product producers, final product users, used product users, or product reusers. Data transactions may be based on transaction protocols that include authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. Peer-to-peer communication between computing nodes associated with product ecosystem participants may be established based on authentication and / or authorization mechanisms. A chemical product manufacturer may access input material data via decentralized data consumption network nodes configured to access data at decentralized data provision network nodes based on decentralized identifiers. For example, a decentralized data consumption network node may access input material data at a decentralized data provision network node associated with an input material producer. Input material data may be accessed at the time of or after the input of input materials into the chemical production network. Input material data may be stored in dedicated storage associated with the decentralized data provision network node. Dedicated storage, and therefore access to input material data, may be under the control of the input material data owner, such as the input material producer.

[0076] In one embodiment, determining environmental attributes associated with an input material includes determining the quantity of the input material. If two or more input materials are provided, the quantity of at least a portion of the provided input materials can be determined. The determination may be based on any of a wide range of digital documents (e.g., input material data) associated with material lists, sales receipts, recipes, and / or receipts for the input materials. The operating system may analyze the input material data to determine the quantity of input material received. The “quantity” of an input material may refer to the volume, amount of substance, and / or mass of the input material. The quantity of input material entering the chemical production network may be stored in one or more input material storages, such as tanks and / or warehouses. The input material storage may be connected to one or more production plants in the chemical production network via pipes or the like, enabling continuous or batch supply of input materials to each plant.

[0077] In one embodiment, determining the environmental attributes associated with an input material further includes determining the value associated with the input material. If two or more input materials are provided, the value of at least some of the input materials can be determined. For example, the operating system may determine the value associated with an input material by calculating the cost difference between a sustainable input material and a corresponding equal amount of fossil input material. The value may determine the cost of an equivalent amount of fossil input material based on the average price, actual price, market price, or other appropriate value. The operating system may store and track the quantity and value corresponding to the sustainable input material. For example, the value may be stored in a digital inventory associated with a token.

[0078] In one embodiment, environmental attributes associated with input materials may be determined via a virtual production process. Virtual production may refer to receiving input data for sustainable input materials (e.g., recycled input materials, renewable input materials, bio-based input materials, input materials of sustainable origin) and generating environmental attributes (based on sustainable input materials), as well as generating conventional input data (e.g., data describing the corresponding quantities and / or values ​​of conventional input materials). The virtual production process may be performed by a virtual production module configured to receive input data associated with at least one input material and to produce environmental attributes associated with at least one input material. The virtual production module may be further configured to determine the quantities of input materials. The virtual production module may be further configured to determine the values ​​associated with input materials.

[0079] In one embodiment, the token decouples the material flow of input materials through the chemical production network from the environmental attributes associated with those input materials. By decoupled from the physical flow of input materials within chemical production via the token, it becomes possible to flexibly assign such environmental attributes to chemical products produced from specific input materials, regardless of the environmental attributes associated with those input materials used in the production of a particular product. In this way, environmental attributes can be assigned according to target environmental data provided by the chemical product customer, regardless of the environmental attributes associated with the input materials supplied to the chemical production. This flexible allocation of environmental attributes to chemical products allows for more efficient allocation of environmental attributes because the allocation is more independent of the supply of input materials associated with the environmental attributes required by the customer.

[0080] In one embodiment, the determined environmental attribute may be validated. Validation may include verifying the determined environmental attribute "sustainable origin" of an input material, such as vegetable oil. Validation may include determining a decentralized identifier associated with the received input material. The decentralized identifier may be used to collect data associated with the input material's environmental attribute from a peer-to-peer network, as described above. The collected data may be used to validate the determined environmental attribute. For example, the collected data may be used to validate whether the determined sustainable origin is actually sustainable. The collected data may be compared with a database storing certificate data associated with the origin of the vegetable oil. The collected data may be compared with geographical data to determine whether the sustainable origin claimed according to the certificate data is true. The collected data may be compared with a set of rules associated with the certificate data. For example, the set of rules may include rules that must be met for the certificate to be valid.

[0081] Verification may involve determining digital assets associated with received inputs, such as vegetable oil, based on the provided input data. These digital assets may correspond to non-fungible tokens associated with the inputs. The digital assets may be used to determine production data associated with the received inputs. For example, a digital asset may be linked to one or more further digital assets, such as tokens, each representing a production step, such as growing, harvesting, transporting, grinding, pressing, or refining. These further digital assets may be stored in a distributed ledger network and used to verify the sustainable origin of the inputs. The data associated with these further digital assets may be collected and used to verify the determined environmental attributes, as described above.

[0082] In one embodiment, a token is associated with or linked to one or more properties of an input material associated with one or more environmental attributes. A token may be associated with one or more properties of an input material that can be attributed to the environmental impact of the input material and the chemical product produced by the chemical production network. The properties of an input material may include, but are not limited to, input material type, waste flow type, biomass type, renewable type, origin type, allocation method, or a combination thereof. By specifying the properties of an input material, the environmental attributes and properties of the input material used to produce the chemical product can be tracked at a finer granularity. This enables the system to track the environmental attributes and properties of the input material at a finer granularity. Finer granular tracking via tokens enables the allocation of units of environmental attribute-linked tokens to chemical products tailored to customer needs.

[0083] In one embodiment, a token may be associated with or related to an input material type, waste flow type, biomass type, renewable type, origin type, allocation method, or a combination thereof. A virtual balancing system or token may be associated with metadata that specifies input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes. The metadata may specify input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes provided to input points in a chemical production network. Input material types may include, but are not limited to, pyrolysis oils, pyrolysis gases, vegetable oils, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, synthesis gas, hydrogen, naphtha, methane, ethane, propane, chemicals, or combinations thereof. Chemicals may include, but are not limited to, ammonia, methanol, ethylene, propylene, benzene, toluene, xylene, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, or combinations thereof.

[0084] In one embodiment, a token may be associated with metadata specifying input material type, waste flow type, biomass type, renewable type, origin type, allocation method, or a combination thereof. For example, recycled pyrolysis oil produced from plastic waste may be provided to a chemical production network as an input material. The metadata may specify input material type "pyrolysis oil", environmental attribute type "recycled", waste flow type "mixed plastic waste", "specific final product waste", "post-consumer waste" or "pre-consumer waste" and / or allocation method "non-separated method" (e.g., mass balance). In another example, bio-based naphtha may be provided to a chemical production network as an input material. The metadata may specify input material type "naphtha", environmental attribute type "bio-based", biomass type "palm oil" and / or allocation method "non-separated method" (e.g., mass balance). In yet another example, bio-based methane may be provided to a chemical production network as an input material. The metadata may specify the input material type "methane," the environmental attribute type "bio-based," the biomass type "agricultural waste," and / or the allocation method "non-separated" (e.g., mass balance). As another example, sustainable palm oil and / or palm kernel oil may be provided to the chemical production network as an input material. The metadata may specify the input material type "palm oil / palm kernel oil," the environmental attribute type "sustainable origin," and / or the allocation method "non-separated" (e.g., mass balance).

[0085] In one embodiment, the token is associated with input material types including pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas, synthesis gas, hydrogen, r-chemicals, bionaphtha, biomethane, sustainable palm oil, and sustainable palm kernel oil. In one embodiment, the token is associated with pyrolysis or gasification and waste streams from which pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas, synthesis gas, hydrogen, or r-chemicals are produced. In one embodiment, the token is associated with bionaphtha or biomethane and renewable streams from which bionaphtha or biomethane is produced. In one embodiment, the token is associated with hydrolysis. In one embodiment, the token is associated with vegetable oil types "sustainable palm oil," "sustainable palm kernel oil," or "sustainable coconut oil." In one embodiment, the token is associated with the hydrolysis of vegetable oils.

[0086] In one embodiment, a token is associated with or linked to a waste flow type. A waste flow type may be linked to at least the environmental attribute "recycled". A waste flow type may be associated with one or more waste materials or waste categories. Waste categories may include, but are not limited to, non-synthetic waste such as animal waste, vegetable or wood waste, or synthetic waste such as textile waste, paper waste, plastic waste or rubber waste. A waste flow type may be associated with, but are not limited to, the origin of the waste, such as used products, producers of used products, geographical location of used products, place of origin of used products, consumers of used products, or combinations thereof. For example, if the environmental attribute is recycled and the input material type is pyrolysis oil, the waste type may specify plastic waste from tires, mixed plastic waste from packaging, or mixed plastic waste from marine cleanup.

[0087] In one embodiment, a token may relate to or be associated with a biomass type or renewable type. A biomass type may be linked to at least the environmental attribute "bio-based" or "renewable". A biomass type may relate to one or more raw materials from which the input material was produced. Raw materials may include, but are not limited to, agricultural waste, fertilizers, municipal waste, plant materials, sewage, green waste, food waste, naturally occurring fats, naturally occurring oils, mixtures of naturally occurring fats and oils, cooking oils, or animal fats. A biomass type may relate to, but are not limited to, the origin of the biomass, such as the producer of the biomass, the geographic location of the biomass, the place of origin of the biomass, the consumer of the biomass, or a combination thereof. For example, if the environmental attribute is bio-based and the input material type is bio-naphtha, the biomass type may specify plant-based oils and fats (vegan). Furthermore, for example, if the environmental attribute is bio-based and the input material type is biogas, the biomass type may specify municipal waste.

[0088] In one embodiment, a token is associated with metadata specifying a relationship between input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes and a chemical product. In another embodiment, the relationship is associated with a chemical production network, one or more production chains, one or more chemical products, one or more chemical product classes, or a combination thereof. The relationship may be associated with a chemical production network. For example, input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes may be supplied to a chemical production network that produces a chemical product. The relationship may be associated with one or more production chains of a chemical production network that produces a chemical product. For example, input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes may be supplied to one or more production chains of a chemical production network that produces a chemical product. The relationship may be associated with one or more chemical product classes produced by a chemical production network. For example, input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes may be supplied to one or more production chains of a chemical production network that produces a chemical product class. The relationship may be associated with one or more chemical products produced by a chemical production network. For example, input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes may be supplied to one or more production chains of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products. The relationship may relate to a chemical production network, one or more production chains, one or more chemical products, one or more chemical product classes, or a combination thereof. Input materials may be physically and / or chemically traceable by tagging with relationship metadata. The metadata may be derived from a digital twin of the chemical production network (or a part thereof). The metadata may be derived from a digital twin of the chemical production network (or a part thereof) and production schedules.

[0089] In one embodiment, creating a token includes generating transaction data and providing the generated transaction data to a distributed ledger network. Generating transaction data includes determining units of a token based on determined environmental attributes. Units of a token may be determined based on a rule set. The rule set may define correlations between input materials, environmental attributes of input materials, quantities of input materials, and associated units of a token. Input materials may be identified in the rule set via input material identifiers. Environmental attributes may be identified via environmental attribute identifiers. The rule set may include correlations between several input materials and / or several environmental attributes and / or several quantities of input materials. For example, the rule set may define that a predetermined quantity, such as kilograms or tons, of a predetermined inbound material, such as palm oil, associated with a predetermined environmental attribute, such as sustainable origin, may represent a defined unit of the token “Sustainable Origin”. The rule set may define correlations between environmental units associated with a defined quantity of input material and units of a token. The rule set may define rules for determining environmental units from determined environmental attributes. For example, a rule set may define rules for converting determined environmental attributes into environmental units based on the amount of inbound material supplied to a chemical production network. Environmental units may relate to methane equivalent, energy properties such as heating value, the number of carbon atoms, or any other appropriate measure of the environmental impact of the environmental attributes.

[0090] By converting the environmental attributes of inbound materials into units of tokens, the tokens can function as a digital environmental currency and be used to transfer environmental attributes associated with chemical products produced by the tokenized chemical production network, as described below. The digital environmental currency can decouple the material flow of input materials through the chemical production network from the environmental attributes associated with those input materials, and can allocate such environmental attributes to chemical products produced by the chemical production network, completely or at least partially independently of the material flow. Thus, the tokens can be balanced independently of the physical flow of inbound materials used during the production of chemical products by the chemical production network. Each token linked to an environmental attribute can be balanced based on the system boundary of the chemical production network. Each token linked to an environmental attribute can be balanced based on the input materials entering the system boundary of the chemical production network and the produced chemical products leaving the chemical production network.

[0091] In one embodiment, the target environmental attribute may relate to or be associated with renewable, bio-based, recycled, and / or sustainable origin content. The target environmental attribute may further relate to or be associated with metadata specifying input material type, waste flow type, biomass type, renewable type, origin type, allocation method, or combination thereof. Based on such metadata, metadata associated with or related to a token may be matched, and an address holding a matching token may be selected. Units of the matching token may be transferred from the selected address, for example, as described below. The transferred units may be assigned to a chemical product, for example, as described below. Tokens and associated metadata can achieve granular target environmental attributes.

[0092] In one embodiment, assigning a determined unit of a token to a chemical product identifier includes burning the determined unit of the token and creating one or more further tokens that specify the burned unit of the token, one or more environmental attributes linked to the token, and the provided chemical product identifier. Burning a unit of a token may include transferring the unit to an address not associated with a private key (e.g., burning the unit of the token). Burning a unit of a token may include transferring the unit to an address not associated with the chemical production network / operating system / entity operating the chemical production network, for example, an address not under the control of the chemical production network / operating system / entity operating the chemical production network. The address may be associated with a third party creating one or more further tokens. The transfer of the token unit may include generating transaction data that specifies the address to which the unit should be transferred, the unit to be transferred, and the provided chemical product identifier. The transaction data may be generated by a decentralized application. The decentralized application may be configured to provide the generated transaction data to a decentralized ledger network. Creating one or more additional tokens may involve generating transaction data specifying the amortized units of the token, one or more environmental attributes linked to the tokens associated with the amortized units, and the provided chemical product identifier, and providing the generated transaction data to the distributed ledger network in order to create one or more additional tokens. The transaction data may be generated by the operating system. The transaction data may be generated by a third party on behalf of the entity operating the chemical production network.

[0093] One or more additional tokens may specify a value associated with the input material, and this value is related to the cost difference between the input material and a corresponding amount of fossil input material. The value may be provided in transaction data.

[0094] One or more additional tokens may uniquely identify a chemical product through a combination of a chemical product identifier, one or more environmental attributes, and the amortized units of the token. Therefore, one or more additional tokens may be non-fungible tokens that uniquely identify a chemical product via a chemical product identifier.

[0095] One or more additional tokens may specify or be associated with metadata. One or more additional tokens may contain a digital representation pointing to metadata or a portion thereof. This allows the token's metadata to be stored off-chain, enabling the metadata to be updated or modified without having to burn and mint another token. For example, one or more non-fungible tokens may contain a link pointing to an off-chain storage location for the metadata.

[0096] One or more additional tokens may be created at an address associated with the chemical production network. One or more additional tokens may be created at an address associated with a third party and transferred to an address of the chemical production network. When the chemical products associated with the one or more tokens are transferred to a chemical product consumer, one or more tokens may be transferred to an address associated with the chemical product consumer (for example, an address associated with the distributed ledger network).

[0097] In another embodiment, assigning a determined unit of tokens to a chemical product identifier involves transferring the determined unit to a further address associated with a distributed ledger network, the further address being associated with the provided chemical product identifier. The further address may be further associated with the operating system of the chemical production network. For example, the further address may be associated with metadata indicating the provided chemical product identifier, such metadata may be used to determine the further address. The further address may be further associated with the recipient of the produced chemical product.

[0098] In yet another embodiment, assigning a determined unit of a token to a chemical product identifier includes locking the determined unit by transferring the unit to a vault address associated with a distributed ledger network, the determined unit being transferred by generating transaction data containing the determined unit, locking the data associated with the chemical product identifier, and transmitting the transaction data to the distributed ledger network to lock the determined unit, the locked unit may be unlocked using the data that was locked and transferred from the vault address. The vault address corresponds to an executable means that can be invoked by sending the transaction to the (unique) communication address of the executable means. The transaction makes it possible to examine the determined unit token using a secret. The secret may be, for example, a hash value of the chemical product identifier. The produced chemical product associated with the chemical product identifier may be offered to consumers. The chemical product may be associated with a physical identifier that encodes the distributed identifier. The distributed identifier may be used to access chemical product data from a distributed data provision network node of a chemical product producer, as described above. The chemical product data may include a secret used to examine the unit of the token. A chemical product consumer may use a secret to generate transaction data including the secret and a vault address, and may provide the transaction data to the distributed ledger network to unlock a unit (for example, by transferring the unit to an address on the distributed ledger network associated with the chemical product consumer).

[0099] In one embodiment, assigning a determined unit of a token to a chemical product identifier is: - Check the balance of the address holding the tokens associated with the determined token unit, and if the balance is sufficient, assign the determined unit of tokens from the associated address to the chemical product identifier, and / or - Check that each token is associated with an input material used to produce a chemical product, and if each token is associated with an input material used in the chemical product production chain, assign the determined unit of the token to a chemical product identifier from the address holding the unit. Includes.

[0100] The input materials used to produce chemical products may include input materials associated with environmental attributes at the time of input into the chemical production network. The input materials used to produce chemical products may include input materials associated with environmental attributes and input materials not associated with environmental attributes. Each environmental attribute may be decoupled from the material flow by generating tokens and associated units.

[0101] The assignment of determined token units to chemical product identifiers can be performed before, during, or after the production of the chemical product. Creating the tokens before production ensures that customer-requested environmental attributes can be associated with the produced chemical product. Furthermore, this allows for the determination of environmental attributes available for allocation to the remaining token units, and therefore independently of production, to chemical products produced, thus ensuring that customer needs regarding environmental attributes associated with the ordered product can be met.

[0102] In one embodiment, providing input material data associated with input materials may include providing first input material data associated with a first input material and providing second input material data associated with a second input material. In yet another embodiment, the method further includes providing at least one token linked to one or more environmental attributes of the first and second input materials. In yet another embodiment, assigning a determined unit of a token to a chemical product identifier may include generating a chemical product identifier, a determined unit of a token, and one or more further tokens specifying at least one of the first and second input materials or an environmental attribute.

[0103] Brief explanation of the drawing The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings and the same reference numerals in this disclosure are intended to refer to the same or similar elements, components and / or parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0104] [Figure 1] An example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input materials is shown, in relation to an operating system that includes an attribute management system. [Figure 2] An example of a chemical production network that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input materials is shown in relation to an operating system that includes an attribute management system for two or more environmental attributes. [Figure 3] This describes a virtual production system for producing sustainable chemical products by decoupling the environmental attributes of the sustainable input and generating balancing units. [Figure 4] By combining environmental attributes represented by token units with conventional product data, this demonstrates a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products. [Figure 5A] This demonstrates a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including the use of non-fungible tokens. [Figure 5B] This document describes a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including the use of addresses associated with environmental attributes. [Figure 5C] This describes a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including examining token units linked to environmental attributes and using a vault address to unlock them. [Figure 6A] This shows a part of a chemical production network that produces various chemical products from sustainable and unsustainable inbound materials. [Figure 6B] This shows a part of a chemical production network that produces various chemical products from sustainable and unsustainable inbound materials. [Figure 6C] This shows a part of a chemical production network that produces various chemical products from sustainable and unsustainable inbound materials. [Figure 7A] This shows a portion of a chemical production network that produces multiple chemical products from fossil and non-fossil input materials. [Figure 7B] This shows a portion of a chemical production network that produces multiple chemical products from fossil and non-fossil input materials. [Figure 7C] This shows a portion of a chemical production network that produces multiple chemical products from fossil and non-fossil input materials. [Figure 8A] This example illustrates an allocation scheme for assigning the use of renewable or bio-based input materials to chemical products within a chemical production network. [Figure 8B] This example illustrates an allocation scheme for assigning the use of renewable or bio-based input materials to chemical products within a chemical production network. [Figure 8C] This example illustrates an allocation scheme for assigning the use of renewable or bio-based input materials to chemical products within a chemical production network. [Figure 9] This shows an example of a chemical production network using different allocation methods. [Figure 10] A first example of a method for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one chemical product produced by a chemical production network is presented. [Figure 11] Further examples of methods for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one chemical product produced by a chemical production network are presented. [Figure 12A] A first example of an apparatus for producing at least one chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes is presented, including an exemplary method for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one produced chemical product. [Figure 12B] Further examples of apparatus for producing at least one chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes are provided, including exemplary methods for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one produced chemical product. [Figure 13] This is the first example of converting environmental attributes associated with input materials into balancing units and assigning them to chemical products. [Figure 14] A second example is shown where environmental attributes associated with input materials are converted into balancing units and assigned to chemical products. [Figure 15A] This shows an example of a data structure for assigning environmental attributes from a balancing account to a chemical product identifier. [Figure 15B] This shows an example of a data structure for assigning environmental attributes from a balancing account to a chemical product identifier. [Figure 16] Examples of tokens and associated metadata are shown. [Figure 17] This is an example of a rule set for generating or allocating units of tokens linked to environmental attributes, based on the environmental attributes associated with the input materials. [Figure 18] An example of an attribution rule for assigning token units to chemical product identifiers based on the attribution rule is shown. [Figure 19] The following is an example of an attribution rule instruction for determining a unit of at least one token linked to one or more environmental attributes. [Figure 20] An example of an attribution rule instruction for checking the suitability of a token unit is shown. [Figure 21A] This presents the first example of a product ecosystem stakeholder network associated with a decentralized peer-to-peer network for the exchange of input material data. [Figure 21B] This demonstrates the exchange of input material data associated with input materials provided to a chemical production network via a decentralized peer-to-peer network. [Figure 22A] Further examples of product ecosystem stakeholders networks associated with decentralized peer-to-peer networks for exchanging environmental attributes associated with manufactured products are presented. [Figure 22B] This represents the exchange of tokens associated with chemical products provided to chemical product consumers by a chemical production network, linked to environmental attributes and conducted via a decentralized peer-to-peer network. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0105] Detailed explanation Figure 1 shows an example of a chemical production network 104 that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input materials, in relation to an operating system including an attribute management system 102. Different input materials (raw materials) may be provided as physical inputs from material providers or suppliers in order to produce one or more chemical products. The chemical products produced from the input materials may have one or more characteristics related to the environmental impact of the input materials or the chemical products produced from the input materials, which may be indicated by environmental attributes.

[0106] The chemical production network 104 may include multiple processing steps linked to one another. The chemical production network 104 may be an integrated chemical production network having connected or interconnected production chains. The chemical production network 104 may include multiple different production chains having at least one intermediate product in common. The chemical production network 104 may include multiple stages of a chemical value chain. The chemical production network 104 may include the production, refining, processing and / or purification of gas or crude oil or vegetable oil. The chemical production network 104 may include a stream cracker or synthesis gas plant or hydrolysis plant connected to multiple production chains that produce chemical products from the wastewater of a steam cracker or synthesis gas plant or hydrolysis plant. The chemical production network 104 may include multiple production chains that produce chemical products leaving the chemical production network 104 from one or more input materials. The chemical production network 104 may include multiple layers of a chemical value chain. The chemical production network 104 may include physically connected or interconnected supply chains and / or production sites. Production sites may be located in the same place or in different places. In the latter case, production sites may be connected or interconnected by dedicated transportation systems such as pipelines, supply chain vehicles such as trucks, ships, or other means of freight transport.

[0107] The chemical production network 104 can chemically convert input materials into one or more chemical products that exit the chemical production network via chemical intermediates.

[0108] Input materials can be supplied to the chemical production network 104 at any input point. Input materials can be supplied to the chemical production network 104 at the start of the chemical production network 104. Input materials may, for example, constitute the raw materials for a steam cracker. Input materials may, for example, constitute the raw materials for a hydrolysis plant. Input materials may include bio-based, recycled, renewable, fossil input materials and / or input materials of sustainable origin for the production of chemical intermediates and chemical products.

[0109] The chemical production network 104 may include multiple production steps. The production steps included in the chemical production network 104 may be defined by the system boundary of the chemical production network 104. The system boundary may be defined by the location or control of the production process. The system boundary may be defined by the locations of the chemical production network 104. The system boundary may be defined by a production process jointly controlled by one or more entities. The system boundary may be defined by a value chain having a time-staggered production process to the final product, and this value chain may be individually controlled by multiple entities. The chemical production network 104 may include a waste recovery and sorting step, a recycling step such as pyrolysis, a cracking step such as steam cracking, a hydrolysis step, a separation step to separate the products of one process step, and further processing steps to convert such products into chemical products that leave the system boundary of the chemical production network 104.

[0110] The operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104 may monitor and / or control the chemical production network 104 based on the operating parameters of different processes. One process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the supply of input materials or the release of chemical products. Another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the attribution of at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products produced through the chemical production network 104. Yet another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the tokenization of environmental attributes associated with input materials entering the system boundary of the chemical production network. Yet another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the management of tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials and tokens linked to chemical products produced by the chemical production network 104.

[0111] The operating system 102 may be configured to access data related to input materials, processes, and / or chemical products produced by the chemical production network 104. The operating system 102 may be configured to convert recycled, renewable, or bio-based components of one or more input materials used in the chemical production network into balancing units. The operating system 102 may be configured to determine environmental attributes associated with input materials. The operating system 102 may be configured to determine token units using the determined environmental attributes. The operating system 102 may be configured to provide the generated transaction data to the distributed ledger network in order to generate transaction data and create tokens linked to environmental attributes and associated token units, or to transfer token units linked to environmental attributes to a specified address. The operating system 102 may be configured to allocate token units from the distributed ledger network and addresses associated with the operating system 102 to at least one chemical product.

[0112] The operating system 102 may be configured to manage tokens and associated token units related to input materials and chemical products produced by the chemical production network 104. In particular, the operating system 102 may be configured to determine token units associated with the use of input materials that affect the environmental characteristics / attributes of chemical products produced by the chemical production network 104. The operating system 102 may be configured to determine token units associated with chemical products and the environmental characteristics of chemical products. In this way, the operating system 102 may be configured to allocate tokens and associated token units to one or more addresses, or to transfer token units from one or more addresses and deduct the units from the total balance of those addresses. Token units may be deposited with addresses related to input materials and chemical products of the chemical production network 104 (e.g., digital inventory), or may be considered credits deducted from addresses.

[0113] The operating system 102 may be configured to convert environmental attributes associated with input materials into token units and / or assign token units to produced chemical products, and to manage token creation / token unit transfer and the assignment of token units to chemical products.

[0114] Figure 2 shows an example of a chemical production network 104 that produces one or more chemical products from one or more input materials, in relation to an operating system 102 that includes an attribute management system 220 for managing two or more environmental attributes. The chemical production network 104 is described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0115] Operating system 102 may be a digital operating system configured to collect, store, manage, and interpret a wide range of production and / or business data for a chemical production network 104. Operating system 102 may be part of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Alternatively, operating system 102 may be partially implemented in an ERP system, or partially implemented in one or more additional systems coupled with the ERP system. Operating system 102 may also be implemented in one or more systems outside of the ERP system.

[0116] Input materials 202-206 may be supplied to the chemical production network 104 at the feed-in point 210. The input materials may include conventional fossil raw materials 202 (e.g., naphtha) and sustainable input materials 204-206. Sustainable input materials 204-206 may include renewable input materials (e.g., biogas and / or bionaphtha) and / or recycled input materials (e.g., pyrolysis oil) and / or input materials of sustainable origin (e.g., sustainable palm oil, sustainable palm kernel oil, sustainable coconut oil). After they are delivered to the chemical production network 104, the conventional input materials 202 and sustainable input materials 204-206 may be combined when they enter the chemical production process (e.g., by being supplied to the same tank).

[0117] Input data for sustainable input material 204 may be provided to the operating system 102 in 214. Similarly, input data for sustainable input material 206 may be provided to the operating system 102 in 216. For example, goods receipts (and / or BOMs and / or chemical production recipes) containing input data for each sustainable input material may be provided electronically to the operating system 102 when the sustainable materials 204-206 are delivered to the chemical production network 104. The operating system 102 may receive input data 214-216 through interfaces to local or remote databases or ERP systems, in particular its supply chain modules or central or distributed computing systems or devices including processing and storage. The operating system 102 may receive input data via distributed networks, such as those described in relation to Figures 21A and 21B. Input data for each input material may therefore be collected from any computing system or device, such as an ERP system or a central or distributed computing system or device including processing and storage. In some cases, input material data for each input material is collected into two or more databases through an interface. Therefore, it may be necessary to convert the information obtained from different databases into a single format in order to enable further processing. In particular, input material data obtained from a database may be attributed to an input material via input material identification information in the database, which must be converted into input material identification information for process data used in the process according to this disclosure.

[0118] The operating system 102 may initiate a virtual production step after receiving input data for sustainable materials 204-206. Virtual production may refer to receiving input data for sustainable materials, generating environmental attributes (based on the sustainable materials), and generating conventional input data (e.g., data describing the corresponding quantities and / or values ​​of conventional inputs).

[0119] For example, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the operating system 102 may start a virtual production process 300 upon receiving input data (e.g., 214-216) for sustainable input materials. Using the input data 214-216, the virtual production process 300 may analyze the input data and apply a corresponding recipe. For example, the virtual production process 300 may determine the volume (or mass) and type of sustainable input material received from the input data. The virtual production process 300 may then apply a virtual production step 304 to the sustainable input material 302. The virtual production step 304 may "produce" or generate both environmental attributes 306 and conventional input material 308. The amount of (virtually) generated conventional input material 308 may be equal to the amount of sustainable input material 302.

[0120] Referring again to Figure 2, after the virtual production process, the operating system 102 may enter the amount of conventional raw materials created by the virtual production process into the digital inventory (also known as a virtual balancing account) 218. The operating system 102 may determine the quantity (e.g., volume and / or mass) and value of the sustainable inputs 204-206, respectively. For example, the operating system 102 may analyze the input data 214 to determine the amount of sustainable input 204 received. Similarly, the operating system 102 may analyze the input data 216 to determine the amount of sustainable input 206 received. The operating system 102 may then provide such data to the attribute management system 220.

[0121] The attribute management system 220 may determine token units based on environmental attributes. For example, the attribute management system 220 may determine token units based on a set of rules that associate environmental attributes with token units. The attribute management system 220 may convert environmental attributes into balancing units. The attribute management system 220 may determine token units based on balancing units. Balancing units may be determined based on a conversion coefficient. The conversion may include a conversion coefficient that takes into account the chemical difference between fossil-based input materials such as naphtha and methane and non-fossil input materials such as pyrolysis oil. The conversion coefficient may relate to the lower heating value of pyrolysis oil to the lower heating value of naphtha or methane. The conversion coefficient may include the ratio of the lower heating value of pyrolysis oil to the lower heating value of naphtha or methane. In this way, the chemical difference between fossil input materials and renewable input materials can be taken into account.

[0122] For example, the attribute management system 220 may determine token units based on a set of rules that associate balancing units with token units. The attribute management system 220 may generate transaction data 222 and provide the generated transaction data 222 to a distributed ledger network 224, such as the distributed ledger network 224 described in relation to Figures 5A-5C and Figure 22A. The distributed ledger network 224 may be a permissioned distributed ledger network. Therefore, access to the distributed ledger network may be controlled by the organization operating the distributed ledger network. For example, access to the distributed ledger network and access to data stored within the distributed ledger network may be based on access policies. This prevents transactions associated with token generation performed when input materials are input from being visible to each participant in the product ecosystem, and therefore prevents other participants in the product ecosystem from gaining insights into the production process performed within the chemical production network. Transaction data 222 may be generated based on the determined token units. The distributed ledger network 224 may be a blockchain, such as the one described in relation to Figure 22A. The distributed ledger network 224 can process the received transaction data. Upon successful completion of the transaction associated with transaction data 222, token units 226a and 226b may be generated at the address of account 228 of the distributed ledger network 224 associated with the operating system 102. Token unit 226a may be associated with an environmental attribute associated with a first sustainable input. Token unit 226b may be associated with an environmental attribute associated with a second sustainable input. Upon successful completion of the transaction associated with transaction data 222, the token units may be transferred from the first address of the distributed ledger network 224 to the second address associated with account 228 of the operating system 102.

[0123] Addresses associated with account 228 can be considered virtual balancing accounts or digital environment attribute inventories. Addresses can hold credit in the form of token units associated with one or more environment attributes. Tokens can be distinguished from one another via their metadata, as tokens can be associated with metadata indicating the environment attribute to which they are associated. Therefore, tokens associated with different environment attributes can reside in a single address, thus reducing the need for separate addresses for tokens associated with different environment attributes, and thus reducing the complexity of the virtual balancing system.

[0124] The operating system 102 or attribute management system 220 may determine the value associated with a token unit assigned to an address in account 228. For example, the operating system 102 or attribute management system 220 may determine the value of a token unit by calculating the cost difference between sustainable inputs 204-206 and their corresponding equivalent fossil inputs. The operating system 102 may determine the cost of an equivalent amount of fossil input using the average price, actual price, market price, or other appropriate value. The operating system 102 may store and track the value corresponding to sustainable inputs in a digital inventory (not shown). For example, a token unit assigned to an address in account 228 may be associated with a digital inventory containing value information corresponding to sustainable inputs 204-206.

[0125] The operating system 102 may include a merger system 232 that creates sustainable chemical products by combining token units with data stored in a conventional product digital inventory. Referring to Figures 2, 4 and 5A-5C, the operating system 102 may process orders for products 234-244 received from customers. If a customer purchases conventional chemical products 234-240, the operating system 102 may process the purchase using the conventional product digital inventory 230.

[0126] However, if a customer purchases a sustainable chemical product (e.g., a chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes), the operating system 102 may instruct the merger system 232 to combine the token unit assigned to address 228 with conventional product data stored in the digital inventory 230. The merger system 232 may generate one or more further tokens (see Figure 5A) that define (or specify) a sustainable product from the combination of the token unit and conventional product data (e.g., by combining or bundling logic 406-408). For example, the merger system 232 may create a sustainable product as shown in Figures 5A-5C. Similarly, the merger system 232 may create a circular product as shown in Figures 5A-5C. Thus, the operating system 102 enables the chemical production network 104 to efficiently create multiple sustainable products from multiple inputs, including sustainable inputs combined with fossil inputs in a large-scale, interconnected chemical production network.

[0127] Figure 5A illustrates a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including the use of non-fungible tokens. The merger system 232 may be part of the operating system 102 described in relation to Figure 2. The operating system 102 may receive order data associated with customer orders for chemical products. The order data may include data indicating the chemical products to be purchased, such as the chemical product ID and / or name and / or order number, and environmental attributes associated with the ordered chemical products. The operating system 102 may parse the order data to determine data related to the chemical products and target environmental attributes. The operating system 102 may generate a chemical product identifier associated with the ordered chemical products. The operating system 102 may provide the chemical product identifier and target environmental attributes to the merger system 232.

[0128] The merger system 232 may select at least one attribution rule to attribute units of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes to a chemical product, based on the provided target environmental attributes. The merger system 232 may determine the units of tokens based on the attribution rule. The units of tokens may be determined by combining or bundling the logics 406-408 of the merger system 232.

[0129] The merger system 232 may generate for each determined unit of token transaction data 508, 510. The transaction data may include a new token object that defines the determined unit of each token, the environmental attribute associated with each token, the provided chemical product identifier, the address associated with the operating system, and one or more functions of each token, such as mint, burn, transfer, approve, and / or balancing functions. The new token object may be generated based on an existing token template. The transaction data may be signed with a private key associated with the operating system 102. The transaction data may be generated by a distributed application running on the merger system 232. Referring to Figure 22A, the merger system 232 may be a peer-to-peer module that includes an API configured to interface with peer-to-peer nodes of the distributed ledger network 224. Referring to Figure 22A, the merger system 232 may be a peer-to-peer node that includes the aforementioned peer-to-peer application. The merger system 232 may provide the transaction data to the distributed ledger network 224. The distributed ledger network 224 may be a peer-to-peer network, as described in relation to Figure 22A. The distributed ledger network 224 may be a blockchain network. One or more nodes of the distributed ledger network may validate received transaction data and add a new block to an existing blockchain containing the transaction data. Validation may include checking the signature of the transaction data. Validation may result in the creation of one or more additional tokens 526, such as non-fungible tokens, at an address specified in the transaction data (e.g., address 506).

[0130] Transaction data 508, 510 may include the determined unit of each token, the environmental attributes associated with each token, the provided chemical product identifier, and the address associated with the third party. At least a portion of the transaction data, such as the determined unit of each token and the address associated with the third party, may be provided to the distributed ledger network 224 as described above. Further portions of the transaction data may be provided to a third party that generates one or more tokens on behalf of the entity operating the chemical production network 104. For example, further portions may include the chemical product identifier. Based on the received unit of the token and further portions of the transaction data, the third party may create transaction data as described above to generate one or more further tokens. The one or more further tokens 526 created may be assigned to the third party's address and transferred from said address to address 506 associated with the operating system 102. One or more further tokens may be created directly at address 506.

[0131] One or more non-fungible tokens 526 may be uniquely associated with a chemical product via a chemical product identifier, as shown in Figure 5A. One or more non-fungible tokens 526 may be provided as digital assets when physical chemical products 242, 244 are provided to a chemical product consumer who ordered the chemical products. Providing non-fungible tokens 526 may involve transferring the non-fungible tokens from an address 506 associated with the operating system 102 to an address associated with the chemical product consumer via a transaction recorded within the distributed ledger network 224.

[0132] Figure 5B illustrates a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including the use of addresses associated with environmental attributes. In contrast to the example in Figure 5A, the merger system 232 may transfer determined units of tokens to addresses 516 and 518 associated with chemical product identifiers 520 and 522. The addresses may be associated with account 228. For example, multiple addresses may be generated based on a seed phrase associated with account 228. Each generated address may be associated with a chemical product identifier. The links between the generated addresses 516 and 518 and the chemical product identifiers may be stored in a database (not shown) of the merger system 232. Upon receiving a chemical product identifier, the merger system 232 may retrieve the respective addresses from the database and generate transaction data to transfer units of tokens from the addresses associated with account 228 to addresses 516 and 518, respectively. The transaction data may include units of tokens and addresses 516 or 518, respectively. The transaction data may be provided to the distributed ledger network 224 for the execution of the transaction. Transaction data can be generated by distributed applications running on the merger system 232, as described in relation to Figure 5A. A distributed ledger network may be included.

[0133] The distributed ledger network 224 can be a permissioned distributed ledger network, as illustrated in relation to Figure 2. This makes it possible to ensure the necessary level of privacy and security regarding the generation of tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials, because such token generation provides insights into the production processes carried out within the chemical production network, which are to be kept confidential by the entity operating such a chemical production network.

[0134] When a physical chemical product 242 is provided to a customer, the token units assigned to address 516 may be transferred to the address associated with the customer of chemical product 242. Similarly, the token units assigned to address 518 may be transferred to the address associated with the customer of chemical product 244.

[0135] Figure 5C illustrates a merger system for producing sustainable chemical products, including the use of a vault address to lock and unlock units of tokens linked to environmental attributes. In contrast to the example shown in Figure 5B, the merger system 232 may lock determined units of tokens at a vault address 532. The vault address may include an executable that can be invoked by a transaction to the (unique) communication address of the executable (e.g., vault address 532). The executable may allow locking units of tokens using a secret. The secret may include, for example, a hash of a chemical product identifier.

[0136] To lock the determined units of the token, the merger system 232 may generate transaction data 528, 530. Transaction data may be generated by a decentralized application running on the merger system 232, as described in relation to Figure 5A. Transaction data may include the determined units of the token, the secret, and the vault address. Transaction data may be provided to the distributed ledger network 224 as described above. When the transaction associated with the transaction data is executed, the units of the token are deducted from the address associated with account 228 and locked at vault address 532.

[0137] The secret and vault address for unlocking token units may be provided to the customer using a product passport, for example, as described in relation to Figures 21A and 21B. Using the secret, the customer can generate transaction data to unlock the token units locked at vault address 532. Thus, the digital assets associated with the physical chemical products 242, 244 may be provided to the chemical product customer via the secret and vault address.

[0138] The distributed ledger network 224 can be a permissioned distributed ledger network, as illustrated in relation to Figure 2. This makes it possible to ensure the necessary level of privacy and security regarding the generation of tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials, because such token generation provides insights into the production processes carried out within the chemical production network, which are to be kept confidential by the entity operating such a chemical production network.

[0139] According to the principles shown in Figures 5A to 5C, it is ensured that units of tokens representing the environmental attributes assigned to a chemical product are deducted from the available units of tokens generated from the environmental attributes associated with the input materials. Thus, it can be ensured that customer orders for chemical products and their environmental attributes can be fulfilled. In addition, the remaining environmental attributes are made transparent through the balance of token units assigned to the address in account 228.

[0140] Figures 6A to 6C illustrate a portion of chemical production, which involves producing various chemical products from sustainable and unsustainable inbound materials.

[0141] The chemical production network 104 may include a system boundary 208. The chemical production network 104 may include a hydrolysis plant 602, i.e., a plant for the hydrolysis of incoming inbound materials. A sustainable material flow may be supplied to the hydrolysis plant 602. The sustainable material flow may include materials that have a sustainable origin and are hydrolyzable. The sustainable origin of a material can be proven by certificate data included in the input material data associated with the sustainable material, as described above. The certificate may be issued by a certification body. Furthermore, a non-sustainable material flow may be supplied to the hydrolysis plant 602. The non-sustainable material may be chemically the same as the sustainable material. However, the non-sustainable material may not have a sustainable origin. For example, a sustainable material flow may include sustainable palm oil or palm kernel oil or coconut oil, while a non-sustainable material flow may include conventional palm oil or palm kernel oil or coconut oil (e.g., palm oil or palm kernel oil or coconut oil that has not been proven to be sustainable).

[0142] Palm oil can be extracted from the pulp of palm fruit. Palm kernel oil can be extracted from the seeds or kernels of palm fruit. Oil palm fruit clusters (FFBs) can be harvested from cultivation by palm oil companies or supplied to said companies by third-party suppliers. The harvested FFBs can then be transported to a crusher to extract raw palm oil (CPO). Raw palm oil can be extracted from the pulp of fresh palm fruit by pressing and centrifugal separation. Raw palm oil extraction can be carried out using fresh palm fruit to avoid deterioration of the palm oil. The palm kernels obtained as a result of the crushing process can be transported to a pressing company. The company can press the palm kernels to extract palm kernel oil. The raw palm kernel oil can then be transported to traders.

[0143] Oils extracted from the fruit and / or kernel, such as CPO and raw palm kernel oil, may be traded by traders. These traders may purchase oils extracted by crushers and / or presses and sell such oils to refineries or chemical producers. Chemical producers may operate chemical production networks, such as chemical production network 104 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. Chemical producers may produce chemical products using oils provided by traders, for example, as described in relation to Figures 6A to 6C. The received oils may be associated with oil data, as described in relation to Figure 2. Oil data may include certification data. Certification data may indicate that the production of the oil (e.g., cultivation, transport, crushing, pressing, refining) was carried out in accordance with specified production standards. Such production standards may include the standards described above. Certification data may be prepared by an independent body that guarantees that the certification standards are met and may be provided to producers of palm oil and palm kernel oil. For example, oil data may include RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification data. Oil data can be collected by chemical producers, for example, as described in relation to Figures 21A and 21B.

[0144] A refinery may refine vegetable oils, such as CPO and raw palm kernel oil, by various processes to remove undesirable impurities that may adversely affect the physical appearance, quality, oxidative stability, and / or shelf life of the vegetable oil. Refining may include steps of bleaching, deodorizing / deacidifying, and fractional distillation to obtain oil fractions such as palm olein and stearin. The refined product may then be transported to chemical producers as described above.

[0145] The hydrolysis wastewater from the hydrolysis plant 602 may contain hydrolyzed products such as fatty acids and glycerol. Hydrolyzed products such as fatty acids can be used as raw materials for various plants, depending on the desired chemical product to be obtained. Some of the hydrolyzed products may be supplied to one or more subsequent plants, depending on the chemical product to be produced, while other parts (e.g., glycerol) may be sold as chemical products or as intermediates for producing further chemical products such as polymers. For example, some of the hydrolyzed products may be supplied to the hydrogenation plant 604, which hydrogenates the supplied material. If the hydrolyzed product is a fatty acid, the hydrogenation results in a fatty alcohol. Such a hydride can be used as a raw material for crackers, which will be described later in relation to Figures 7A-7C, or it may be supplied to the sulfation plant 606 to obtain a sulfonate. For example, if a fatty alcohol is supplied to the sulfation plant 606, a fatty alcohol sulfonate is obtained as a chemical product, which can be used as anionic surfactants in cosmetics and detergents.

[0146] A portion of the hydride can be supplied to the ethoxylation plant 608 to obtain ethoxylated products and / or to the esterification plant to obtain esterified products. The products from the ethoxylation plant 608 can be supplied to the sulfation plant 606 to obtain ethoxylated and sulfonated chemical products, such as ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfonates, which can be used as anionic surfactants in cosmetics and detergents.

[0147] A portion of the hydrolysate can be supplied to the ethoxylation plant 608 to obtain ethoxylated products. For example, fatty acids obtained by hydrolyzing palm oil can be ethoxylated to obtain fatty acid ethoxylates, which can be used as nonionic surfactants in cosmetics and detergents.

[0148] A portion of the hydrolysates can be supplied to the esterification plant 610 to obtain esterified products. For example, fatty acids obtained by hydrolyzing palm oil can be esterified to obtain fatty acid esters, which can then be used to produce biodiesel and various other chemical products.

[0149] A portion of the hydrolysates can be supplied to a neutralization plant 612 to obtain soap. For example, fatty acids obtained from the hydrolysis of palm oil can be neutralized to obtain fatty acid soap. These soaps can be supplied as chemical products or intermediate chemical products for the production of cosmetics.

[0150] Based on the sustainably sourced content of the wastewater of hydrolysis plant 602, fatty acids from the wastewater of hydrolysis plant 602 and any chemical products produced from any component of such wastewater may contain sustainably sourced content. For example, fatty alcohol ethoxylates may contain sustainably sourced content. Furthermore, for example, fatty alcohols may contain sustainably sourced content. Furthermore, for example, chemical products produced from fatty acids or fatty alcohols may contain sustainably sourced content. In this way, sustainably sourced content may be included in the produced chemical intermediates, chemical products or final products.

[0151] Figure 6A shows one embodiment of the system boundary 208 of a chemical production network 104 that includes a hydrolysis step. Sustainable and non-sustainable material flows form input points to the chemical production network 104. The final chemical products produced from the chemical production network 104 form exit points from chemical production.

[0152] Figure 6B shows another embodiment of the system boundary 208 of the chemical production network 104, which does not include a hydrolysis step. Fatty acid raw materials form the input points to the chemical production network 104. Chemical products form the exit points from the chemical production network 104.

[0153] Figure 6C shows another embodiment of the system boundary 208 of the chemical production network 104, which does not include the hydrolysis step and the hydrogenation, ethoxylation, esterification, and neutralization steps. Fatty alcohol wastewater, produced at least partially from fatty acids, forms an input point to the chemical production network 104. Chemical products form an exit point from the chemical production network 104. The chemical production network 104 and system boundary 208 shown in Figures 6A to 6C are examples and should not be considered limiting.

[0154] In the examples shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the sustainably sourced content may be an environmental attribute of each input material. In Figure 7A, sustainably sourced vegetable oil is an input material to the chemical production network 104, which includes the hydrolysis plant 602. The environmental attributes associated with such vegetable oil may include an environmental attribute type such as sustainable origin and a type such as vegetable oil. The environmental attributes may be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104 once the vegetable oil enters. Units of tokens may be generated or allocated to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). In Figure 7B, fatty acids are an input material to the chemical production network 104, which does not include the hydrolysis plant 602. The environmental attributes associated with such fatty acids may include an environmental attribute type such as sustainable origin, a material type such as fatty acid, and an input type such as vegetable oil. The environmental attributes may be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104 once the fatty acids enter the chemical production network 104. Units of tokens may be generated or allocated to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). In Figure 7C, fatty alcohol wastewater produced from fatty acids or wastewater from the ethoxylation plant 608 is input material to the chemical production network 104, excluding the hydrolysis plant 602, hydrogenation plant 604, ethoxylation plant 608, esterification plant 610, and neutralization plant 612. Environmental attributes associated with such wastewater may include environmental attribute types such as sustainable origin, material types such as wastewater produced from fatty acids, and input types such as vegetable oil. Environmental attributes can be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104 once the decomposed wastewater enters the chemical production network 104. Units of tokens can be generated or assigned to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). By separating environmental attributes from the material flow of the chemical production network, reliable and simple assignment of environmental attributes to chemical products produced by the chemical production network can be achieved.Tokens linked to environmental attributes can be collected as units of tokens when environmental attributes enter the chemical production network at one or more addresses associated with the operating system 102. When a chemical product leaves, the units of tokens collected at input can be assigned to such product and drawn from the address created or transferred when the input material entered the chemical production network. Thus, it can be ensured that 1) only environmental attributes that have entered the chemical production network are assigned to a chemical product, and 2) that they have not yet been assigned to another chemical product. As a result, positive environmental impacts can be counted only once and tracked from the time they enter the chemical production network until they leave.

[0155] Figures 7A to 7C show a portion of a chemical production network 104 that produces multiple chemical products from fossil and non-fossil input materials.

[0156] The chemical production network 104 may include a pyrolysis plant 702 for pyrolysis of recycled waste. A waste stream may be supplied to the pyrolysis plant 702. The waste stream may include plastics, rubber (including tires), textiles, wood, biowaste, modified cellulose, wet-laid products, and any other materials suitable for pyrolysis. The recycled waste stream may include a stream containing materials that are at least partially post-industrial use, post-consumer use, or both post-industrial and post-consumer use. Post-consumer use materials may be materials that have been used at least once in their intended use over any duration, regardless of wear, have been sold to an end-use customer, or have been discarded by any person or entity other than the manufacturer or business involved in the manufacture or sale of the material. Post-industrial use materials may be materials that have been made but have not yet been used in their intended use, have not yet been sold to an end-use customer, or have been discarded by the manufacturer or any other entity involved in the sale of the material. Examples of industrial end-of-use materials include reprocessed, reground, scrap, trim, off-spec materials, and end-use materials that have moved from the manufacturer to any downstream customer (e.g., manufacturer-wholesaler-distributor) but have not yet been used or sold to the end-use customer. A waste flow can be separated into one type of waste flow having a specific waste material, or it may be a mixed waste flow.

[0157] Examples of plastics as waste materials include high-density polyethylene and its copolymers, low-density polyethylene and its copolymers, polypropylene and its copolymers, other polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene terephthalate, copolyesters and terephthalate copolyesters (e.g., polyesters containing residues of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, CHDM-cyclohexanedimethanol, neopentyl glycol monomer or propylene glycol), polyethylene terephthalate, polyamides, poly(methyl methacrylate), Examples include polytetrafluoroethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polyurethanes, cellulose-based materials and their derivatives, such as acetylcellulose, diacetylcellulose, cellulose triacetate, cellulose propionate, and cellulose butyrate; regenerated cellulose-based materials, such as viscose and rayons; epoxy, polyamides, phenolic resins, polyacetals, polycarbonates, polyphenylene alloys, polypropylene and its copolymers, polystyrene, styrene compounds, vinyl compounds, styrene-acrylonitrile, thermoplastic elastomers, and urea-based polymers and / or polymer-containing melamines.

[0158] The pyrolysis wastewater from the pyrolysis plant 702 may contain pyrolysis oil. The pyrolysis oil can be used as a raw material for the steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704. The pyrolysis oil may be supplied to the steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704 as a recycled raw material, either together with non-recycled or conventional raw materials (e.g., propane, ethane, naphtha, and / or natural gasoline). In addition to or as an alternative to recycled raw materials, bio-based raw materials may be supplied to the steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704. For example, bio-naphtha may be produced through the hydrogenation of bio-based materials such as palm oil and animal fat and supplied as a raw material to the steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704. In further embodiments, pyrolysis wax, pyrolysis gas, pyrolysis char, or synthesis gas may be supplied to the steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704 as a raw material.

[0159] The cracker unit of a steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704 may include a steam cracker that breaks down saturated hydrocarbons into smaller, often unsaturated, hydrocarbons. A steam cracker is equipment in which fossil and / or non-fossil raw materials such as naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethane, propane, or butane are thermally decomposed using steam in a steam cracking furnace or electric furnace to produce lighter hydrocarbons.

[0160] The wastewater produced by the cracker unit may be recycled and / or bio-based containing wastewater containing light olefins, C4 products, and heavy cracker products such as C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10 products or mixtures. The decomposed wastewater of the recycled and / or bio-based containing can be separated in a separation train. The recycled or bio-based containing wastewater can be separated from the recycled or bio-based containing in the decomposed wastewater into different fractions containing the recycled or bio-based containing.

[0161] Light olefin fractions may include ethylene and propylene. Ethylene can be used to produce polyethylene, ethylene chloride, and ethylene oxide. Polyethylene, ethylene chloride, or ethylene oxide may be chemical intermediates used to produce chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Polyethylene, ethylene chloride, or ethylene oxide may be chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Polyethylene, ethylene chloride, or ethylene oxide may be used to produce plastics for packaging as the final product, or to produce final products in construction and textile production. Propylene can be used to produce polypropylene, propylene oxide, acrylic acid, or other chemical derivatives. Propylene and its derivatives may be chemical intermediates used to produce chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Propylene and its derivatives may be chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Propylene and its derivatives may be used to produce furniture as the final product, or to produce final products in automobile production, for packaging as the final product.

[0162] The C4 fraction may contain a gas mixture containing C4 olefins from which butadiene and isobutene can be extracted. The residue, i.e., a mixture of butene and butane, can be used as a chemical intermediate for further production processes in the chemical production network. Butadiene and its derivatives can be used as chemical intermediates to produce chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Butadiene and its derivatives can be chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Butadiene and its derivatives can be used to produce final products such as tires, paper, plastics, rubber, petroleum, lubricants, or perfumes. Isobutene (isobutylene) and its derivatives can be used as chemical intermediates to produce chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Isobutene (isobutylene) and its derivatives can be chemical products that leave the chemical production network. Isobutene (isobutylene) and its derivatives can be used to produce butyl rubber and polyisobutylene in final products such as tires, paper, plastics, rubber, petroleum, lubricants, or perfumes.

[0163] The heavy cracker fraction may contain 5 to 12 hydrocarbon atoms (e.g., C5 non-aromatic compounds, C7 / C8 mixtures, C9). The C5 non-aromatic compounds may be chemical intermediates used to produce further chemical intermediates such as cyclopentane- and n / i-pentane mixtures or chemical products exiting the chemical production network. The unhydrogenated or hydrogenated C9 fraction, C7 / 8 mixture, or xylol mixture may be chemical intermediates used to produce further chemical intermediates such as hydrocarbon resins, used as blending components in premium gasoline, or used as chemical intermediates in the production of benzene.

[0164] Residues from ethylene production, such as pyrolysis oils, can be used as chemical intermediates for carbon black production, as auxiliary materials in the chemical industry, and as raw materials for the distillation of naphthalene and indene.

[0165] Based on the recycled and / or bio-based content of the decomposed wastewater, fractions from the decomposed wastewater and any chemical products produced from any component of such wastewater may contain recycled and / or bio-based content. For example, light olefin fractions may contain recycled and / or bio-based content. Furthermore, for example, ethylene or propylene fractions may contain recycled and / or bio-based content. Furthermore, for example, chemical products produced from ethylene or propylene fractions may contain recycled and / or bio-based content. In this way, recycled and / or bio-based content may be contained in the produced chemical intermediates, chemical products or final products.

[0166] Figure 7A shows one embodiment of the system boundary 208 of a chemical production network 104 that includes a pyrolysis step. The waste flow forms an input point to the chemical production network 104. The final chemical product forms an exit point from the chemical production network 104.

[0167] Figure 7B shows another embodiment of the system boundary 208 of the chemical production network 104, which does not include a pyrolysis step. Pyrolysis oil and fossil raw materials form the input points to the chemical production network 104. The final chemical product forms the exit point from the chemical production network 104.

[0168] Figure 7C shows another embodiment of the system boundary 208 of the chemical production network 104, excluding the pyrolysis and cracking steps. Cracker waste liquid, produced at least partially from the pyrolysis oil, forms an input point to the chemical production network 104. The final chemical product forms an exit point from the chemical production network 104. The chemical production network 104 and system boundary 208 shown in Figures 7A to 7C are examples and should not be considered limiting.

[0169] In the examples shown in Figures 7A to 7C, recycled and / or bio-based content may be environmental attributes of the respective input materials. In Figure 7A, the waste flow is the input material to the chemical production network 104, which includes the pyrolysis plant 702. Environmental attributes associated with such a waste flow may include environmental attribute types such as recycled and waste types such as mixed plastic waste. Environmental attributes may be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104 once the waste flow enters. Units of tokens may be generated or assigned to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). In Figure 7B, pyrolysis oil is the input material to the chemical production network 104, which does not include pyrolysis units. Environmental attributes associated with such pyrolysis oil may include environmental attribute types such as recycled, material types such as pyrolysis oil, and waste types such as mixed plastic waste. Environmental attributes may be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104 once the pyrolysis oil enters the chemical production network 104. Units of tokens may be generated or assigned to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). In Figure 7C, the decomposed waste liquid produced from pyrolysis oil is input material to the chemical production network 104, excluding the pyrolysis plant 702 and the cracker steam cracker / synthesis gas plant 704. Environmental attributes associated with such waste liquid may include environmental attribute types such as recycled, material types such as waste liquid produced from pyrolysis oil, and waste types such as mixed plastic waste. Once the decomposed waste liquid enters the chemical production network 104, the environmental attributes can be separated from the material flow through the chemical production network 104. Units of tokens can be generated or assigned to addresses associated with the operating system 102 (see Figure 2). By separating environmental attributes from the material flow of the chemical production network, reliable and simple assignment of environmental attributes to chemical products produced by the chemical production network can be achieved.Tokens linked to environmental attributes can be collected as units of tokens when environmental attributes enter the chemical production network at one or more addresses associated with the operating system 102. When a chemical product leaves, the units of tokens collected at input can be assigned to such product and drawn from the address created or transferred when the input material entered the chemical production network. Thus, it can be ensured that 1) only environmental attributes that have entered the chemical production network are assigned to a chemical product, and 2) that they have not yet been assigned to another chemical product. As a result, positive environmental impacts can be counted only once and tracked from the time they enter the chemical production network until they leave.

[0170] In connection with this example, a pyrolysis unit, followed by a steam cracker unit, is shown. This should not be considered limiting. The concepts disclosed herein apply equally to equal chemical value / production chains, such as synthesis gas plant-based value / production chains.

[0171] Figures 8A to 8C illustrate examples of allocation schemes for assigning the use of renewable or bio-based input materials to chemical products in a chemical production network.

[0172] As shown in Figures 1 to 7C, a chemical production network may include interconnected complex production sites that chemically convert one or more input materials into one or more chemical products through chemical processing. In chemical production, allocation rules may be used to consider the use of recycled, renewable, bio-based, or sustainably sourced content. In this way, recycled, renewable, bio-based, or sustainably sourced content of input materials may be allocated to chemical products. Renewable content may be based on input materials from renewable sources. Renewable content may include bio-based input materials produced from living organisms such as different types of grains, wood, or algae. Recycled content may include any recycled material used for the production of new material. This may include any recycled bio-based or bio-based material, such as that produced from chemical or mechanical recycling. Sustainable source content may include material derived from sustainable sources. Sustainable origin may be certified by certification data, as described above.

[0173] Accounting principles for allocating the use of recycled or renewable ingredients are defined, for example, in ISO 22095. Four different control chain models may be used: the identity retention model, the segregation model, the mass balance model, or the book-and-claims model.

[0174] Figure 8A shows an example of a dedicated or isolated production network. The production network includes a first production chain for producing chemical products from fossil materials and a second production chain for producing chemical products from bio-based input materials. The first and second production chains are not interconnected. The first and second production chains produce fossil-based and bio-based, recycled, or sustainably sourced chemical products, respectively. Examples of such dedicated production environments include polyethylene production from sugarcane, biopolylactic acid (PLA) production from maize, and fermentation or chemical conversion of biosuccinic acid or biobutanediol (BDO).

[0175] Figure 8B shows an example of a composite production network. In contrast to the production network in Figure 8A, multiple fossil-based inputs are supplied and mixed with bio-based or recycled inputs. Materials of non-sustainable origin are supplied and mixed with materials of sustainable origin. The production network produces one or more material outputs or products through one or more chemical process chains using intermediates. For simplicity, Figure 6B shows a mass balancing method for one chemical product or one chemical process chain producing one product. The mass balancing model describes the physical mixing or simultaneous supply of bio-based or recycled inputs with conventional fossil inputs. Here, the supply to the production network and the supply of the output products form system boundaries. Mass balancing of inputs and chemical products links the bio-based or recycled inputs used to the output products produced. Mass balancing makes it possible to track the total amount of inputs (e.g., recycled materials, or bio-based materials, or bio-based materials) throughout the entire production network and allocate them to chemical products. Materials with specified properties from different sets may be mixed. For example, recycled or bio-based raw materials may be obtained by replacing equivalent amounts of fossil raw materials (inputs) early in the value chain, and then allocated to products (chemical products) so that the inputs and outputs match. In this model, the proportion of inputs with specified properties may, on average, only match the initial proportion, and typically will vary if the outputs are different. This means, for example, that recycled and fossil inputs are mixed, and the chemical or technical proportions of each chemical product are not tracked.

[0176] Mass balance may include conversion factors to ensure a correlation between the amount of input material and the amount of chemical product. Calculations may be performed over a predetermined or specified time period. Mass balance may be based on balance units such as mass, energy, or carbon.

[0177] Figure 8C shows a composite production network associated with a book-and-claims system. In a book-and-claims system, characteristic renewable or recycled input materials are not linked to the actual material flow. Book-and-claims decouples specific characteristics, such as renewables, from the physical product, allowing the characteristics to be transferred separately in the form of digital assets via a dedicated registry. This method can be used for renewable energy. Book-and-claims can be based on book-and-claims accounting units, such as kilowatt-hours in electricity.

[0178] In identity-preserving models or separation methods, as shown in Figure 8A, renewable, recycled, or bio-based inputs may not be mixed with fossil inputs. In mass-balancing or book-and-claim methods, as shown in Figures 8B and 8C, renewable, recycled, or bio-based materials may be mixed with fossil inputs. Given the increasing number of diverse sources and allocation schemes for more sustainable chemical production, an efficient and robust operating system is needed to manage complex production networks such as chemical production networks.

[0179] Figure 9 shows an example of a chemical production network using different allocation methods. A chemical production network may include multiple production chains using different allocation schemes. The system boundaries of a chemical production network may be defined by input points to and exit points from the chemical production network. A production chain may be defined by the chemical products produced through such a production chain. Production chain logic may be based on process data associated with process steps from input materials to chemical products. For each production chain, an allocation scheme may be applicable (and an applicable allocation scheme may be assigned to the production chain). In addition, for each production chain, a balancing system (e.g., a virtual balancing account) may be applicable, or the production chain logic may be incorporated into the attribution rules.

[0180] Figure 10 shows a first example of a method for assigning at least one environmental attribute associated with an input material to at least one chemical product produced from the input material by a chemical production network. The chemical production network may be the chemical production network 104 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. This method may be performed by the operating system 102 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. The input material may be a fossil input material. The input material may be a recycled input material. The input material may be a bio-based input material. The input material may be the input material described in relation to Figure 2. The environmental attribute may be associated with the production of an input material such as vegetable oil. The environmental attribute may be associated with or correspond to certificate data indicating the production of an input material according to a predetermined production standard. The predetermined production standard may be associated with the cultivation of a plant from which the input material such as vegetable oil is produced. The predetermined production standard may be associated with the transportation of the harvested input material and / or the input material. The production standard may be associated with the production of an input material from the harvested plant. The production standard may be associated with the refining of the raw input material.

[0181] In block 1002, input data associated with input materials received from input material suppliers (see, for example, Figure 6) may be provided to the operating system of the chemical production network. The input data may be provided as described in relation to Figure 2.

[0182] In block 1004, the environmental attributes associated with the input material may be determined based on the provided input material data. The environmental attributes may be determined by analyzing the provided input material data. The environmental attributes may be provided as described in relation to Figure 2. If input material data for the first input material and input material for the second input material are provided, the environmental attributes may be determined based on the first input material data and the second input material data. The environmental attributes may be provided as described in relation to Figure 2.

[0183] The determined environmental attributes can be verified. This ensures that the environmental attributes are correctly determined and avoids the generation of tokens for environmental attributes not associated with vegetable oil. Thus, accurate determination of the environmental attributes of vegetable oil entering a chemical production network can be ensured, and thus, the environmental attributes from vegetable oil entering the chemical production network can be accurately attributed to the chemical products produced by the chemical production network, at least partially from the vegetable oil.

[0184] Verification may include verifying the sustainable origin of input materials. Verification may include determining a distributed identifier associated with the received input material, for example, as described in relation to Figure 21B. The distributed identifier may be used to collect data associated with the environmental attributes of the input material from a peer-to-peer network, for example, as described in relation to Figure 21B. For example, data associated with environmental attributes may be collected from at least some of the stakeholders involved in the production of the input material. For example, stakeholders may be associated with a distributed peer-to-peer network configured to transfer data associated with the production of input materials among stakeholders in the peer-to-peer network. Chemical producers may collect data associated with the production of input materials from the stakeholders via distributed data consumption network nodes. The collected data may be used to validate the determined environmental attributes. For example, the collected data may be used to validate whether the determined sustainable origin is actually sustainable. The collected data may be compared with a database that stores certificate data associated with the origin of the input material. The collected data may be compared with geographical data to determine whether the sustainable origin claimed according to the certificate data is true. The collected data may be compared with a set of rules associated with the certificate data. For example, a ruleset might include rules that must be met for a certificate to be valid.

[0185] Verification may involve determining the digital assets associated with the received input materials based on the provided input data. These digital assets may correspond to non-fungible tokens associated with the input materials, as illustrated in relation to Figure 22B, for example. Once the input materials are received at an input point in the chemical production network, the digital assets may be transferred to the chemical producer. The digital assets may be transferred to an address on a distributed ledger network associated with the operating system. The digital assets may be used to determine the production data associated with the received input materials. For example, a digital asset may be linked to one or more further digital assets, such as tokens, each representing a production step such as growing, harvesting, transporting, grinding, pressing, or refining. These further digital assets may be stored on a distributed ledger network and used to verify the sustainable origin of the input materials. The data associated with these further digital assets may be collected and used to verify the determined environmental attributes, as described above.

[0186] In block 1006, one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute may be created with an address associated with the distributed ledger network. The address may further be associated with the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. Tokens may be created as described in relation to Figures 2 and 5A-5C. Tokens may be created using one or more attribution rules as described in relation to Figure 17.

[0187] In block 1008, a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and optionally at least one target environmental attribute may be provided. The chemical product identifier may be provided based on order data associated with an order for a chemical product received from a customer. The order data may include data indicating a chemical product. Such data indicating a chemical product may include a chemical product ID, chemical product name, order number, or a combination thereof. The order data may further include target environmental attributes desired by the customer. The order data may be received by the operating system 102. The operating system 102 may parse the order data to determine data indicating a chemical product and / or target environmental attribute. Based on the results of the data analysis, the operating system 102 may determine the chemical product identifier. The chemical product identifier may be associated with an environmental attribute, for example, as illustrated in Figure 15A. Based on the analyzed data, the operating system 102 may provide an environmental attribute identifier associated with the target environmental attribute, for example, as illustrated in relation to Figure 15B. The environmental attribute identifier and / or chemical product identifier may be associated with a defined unit of the token.

[0188] In block 1010, at least one attribution rule may be selected based on the chemical product identifier and optionally the target environmental attribute to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with vegetable oil to a chemical product. The attribution rule may be one of those described in Figures 18-20. The attribution rule may define units of tokens. An attribution rule combined with the quantity of a chemical product may define units of tokens.

[0189] In block 1012, at least one address holding units of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes may be determined via at least one selected attribution rule. The address may be associated with the operating system 102. The tokens assigned to the address may be tokens generated in block 1010. This block may further include determining units of tokens to be assigned to chemical product identifiers. The units of tokens may be determined based on selected attribution rules. The units of tokens may be determined based on the quantity of the chemical product and the chemical product identifier. The units of tokens may be determined based on the quantity of the chemical product and the environmental attribute identifier.

[0190] In block 1014, at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes may be assigned to a chemical product identifier. The assignment may be carried out as described, for example, in relation to Figures 5A-5C. The assignment is, - Check the balance of the address holding the tokens associated with the determined token unit, and if the balance is sufficient, assign the determined unit of tokens from the associated address to the chemical product identifier, and / or - Check that each token is associated with an input material used to produce a chemical product, and if each token is associated with an input material used in the chemical product production chain, assign the determined unit of the token to a chemical product identifier from the address holding the unit. It may include.

[0191] Figure 11 shows a further example of a method for assigning at least one environmental attribute associated with an input material to at least one chemical product produced from the input material by a chemical production network. The chemical production network may be the chemical production network 104 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. This method may be performed by the operating system 102 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. The input material may be the input material described in relation to Figure 10. The environmental attribute may be associated with the production of the input material, such as vegetable oil. The environmental attribute may be associated with or correspond to certificate data indicating the production of the input material according to a predetermined production standard. The predetermined production standard may be related to the cultivation of the plant from which the input material, such as vegetable oil, is produced. The predetermined production standard may be related to the harvested input material and / or the transportation of the input material. The production standard may be related to the production of the input material from the harvested plant. The production standard may be related to the refining of the raw input material.

[0192] In block 1102, input data associated with vegetable oil received from an input supplier (see, for example, Figure 6) may be provided to the operating system of the chemical production network. The input data may be provided as described in relation to Figure 2.

[0193] In block 1104, environmental attributes associated with input materials can be determined based on provided input material data. Environmental attributes can be determined by analyzing the provided input material data. Environmental attributes can be provided as described in relation to Figure 2. The determined environmental attributes can be validated. This can ensure that environmental attributes are determined correctly and avoid the generation of tokens for environmental attributes not associated with input materials. Thus, accurate determination of environmental attributes of input materials entering the chemical production network can be ensured, and thus, environmental attributes from input materials entering the chemical production network can be accurately attributed to the chemical products produced by the chemical production network, at least partially from said input materials. Validation can be performed as described in Figure 10.

[0194] In block 1106, at least one address holding a unit of tokens linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes may be determined based on the environmental attributes. The address may be further associated with the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. The address may be determined by mapping an attribution rule to the determined environmental attributes. For example, the determined environmental attributes may be mapped to the attribution rule shown in Figure 17.

[0195] In block 1108, at least one unit of tokens may be allocated to an additional address associated with the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. This additional address may be an additional address associated with account 224 of the operating system 102. The additional address may function as a balance to determine the amount of token units available for allocation to the produced chemical products. By using the additional address, repeated generation of token units can be avoided when vegetable oil enters the chemical production network.

[0196] Block 1110 may provide a chemical product identifier associated with a chemical product and optionally at least one target environmental attribute. The chemical product identifier and optionally the target environmental attribute may be provided as described in relation to Figure 10.

[0197] In block 1112, at least one attribution rule may be selected based on the chemical product identifier and optionally the target environmental attribute to attribute a token linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with a vegetable oil to a chemical product. The attribution rule may be one of those described in Figures 18-20. The attribution rule may define a unit of token. An attribution rule combined with the quantity of the chemical product may define a unit of token.

[0198] In block 1114, at least one address holding units of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes may be determined via at least one selected attribution rule. The address may be associated with the operating system 102. This block may further include determining units of tokens to be assigned to chemical product identifiers. Units of tokens may be determined based on selected attribution rules. Units of tokens may be determined based on the quantity of chemical products and chemical product identifiers. Units of tokens may be determined based on the quantity of chemical products and environmental attribute identifiers.

[0199] In block 1116, at least one unit of a token linked to one or more environmental attributes may be assigned to a chemical product identifier. The assignment may be carried out, for example, as described in relation to Figures 5A-5C.

[0200] Figure 12A shows a first example of an apparatus for producing at least one chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes, including an exemplary method for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one produced chemical product. The apparatus for producing chemical products may correspond to the chemical production network 104 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. This method may be performed by the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. The operating system 102 may be the operating system 102 of Figure 2.

[0201] On the physical layer, input materials may be provided as physical inputs to the chemical production network 104. The chemical production network 104 may produce one or more chemical products from the provided input materials, for example, the products described in relation to Figures 6A to 7C. The produced chemical products may be provided at the exit points of the chemical production network 104. The produced chemical products may be provided to chemical product consumers 2106 (see, for example, Figures 21A and 22A).

[0202] On the virtual layer, the operating system 102 may execute blocks 1208 to 1218 shown in Figure 12A. Blocks 1208 to 1218 may correspond to the method shown in Figure 10. Therefore, the operating system 102 may execute the method shown in Figure 10 on the virtual layer.

[0203] Figure 12B shows a further example of an apparatus for producing at least one chemical product associated with one or more environmental attributes, including an exemplary method for assigning at least one environmental attribute to at least one produced chemical product. The apparatus for producing chemical products may correspond to the chemical production network 104 described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. This method may be performed by the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. The operating system 102 may be the operating system 102 in Figure 2.

[0204] On the physical layer, input materials may be provided as physical inputs to the chemical production network 104. The chemical production network 104 may produce one or more chemical products from the provided input materials, for example, the products described in relation to Figures 7A to 7C. The produced chemical products may be provided at the exit points of the chemical production network 104. The produced chemical products may be provided to chemical product consumers 2106 (see, for example, Figures 21A and 22A).

[0205] On the virtual layer, the operating system 102 may execute blocks 1230-1240 shown in Figure 12B. Blocks 1230-1240 may correspond to the method shown in Figure 11. Therefore, the operating system 102 may execute the method shown in Figure 11 on the virtual layer.

[0206] Based on the non-limiting example in Figure 13, bio-based and recycled materials may be supplied to the steam cracker. For illustrative purposes, the following input materials may be supplied to the steam cracker in the following quantities: • 3 kg of recycled input materials (such as pyrolysis oil produced from mixed plastic waste), • 5 kg of bio-based input materials (such as kosher and vegan bio-naphtha derived from vegetable oils), 92 kg of naphtha.

[0207] When these input materials are provided to the steam cracker, they enter the chemical production network. The environmental attributes of the recycled and bio-based input materials can be determined as described in relation to Figures 2, 9, and 10. Based on the determined environmental attributes, units of tokens linked to such environmental attributes can be determined, and transaction data can be generated for such determined units of tokens as described in relation to Figures 2, 9, and 10. When the transaction associated with such transaction data is executed by the distributed ledger network, the units of tokens can be created or assigned to an address associated with the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. The units of tokens can be determined based on the amount of each input material. In this example, the environmental attribute "pyrolysis oil from recycled mixed plastic waste" may correspond to 3 units of recycled tokens, and the environmental attribute "bio-naphtha from bio-based food waste" may correspond to 5 units of bio-based tokens. In this example, a simplified weight-based method is used for illustrative purposes only. Other methods may be based on energy, atomic counting such as carbon atoms, molecular counting such as methane, or may include losses incurred during production.

[0208] In more complex embodiments, token units may be determined based on more complex conversion factors, taking into account the chemical and / or physical differences between input materials and their associated yields. The conversion factors may quantify the differences in chemical and / or physical properties when fossil input materials are replaced with non-fossil input materials. The conversion factors may relate the use of conventional input materials to the use of input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes. The conversion factors may depend on other appropriate factors for quantifying the environmental impact of carbon atoms, methane molecules, energy properties, process properties, or environmental attributes. For example, the lower or higher heating values ​​(LHV, HHV) of fossil and non-fossil input materials may be considered. Furthermore, material losses occurring during the processing of fossil or non-fossil input materials may be considered. Furthermore, excluded steam cracker products, intermediates, or production chains may be considered. Furthermore, only pre-selected production chains may be considered. In this way, the environmental impact of non-fossil input materials can be quantified relative to fossil input materials.

[0209] A steam cracker can produce cracker products that can be further processed and chemically converted. In an exemplary example, 20 kg of ethylene, 30 kg of polyamide, and 50 kg of polystyrene may be supplied to the exit point of a chemical production network as cracker products. In the production of such products, 3 kg of recycled input material and 5 kg of bio-based input material were used, and token units stored in addresses associated with the operating system 102 can be assigned to such chemical products. For example, 3 units of recycled tokens may be assigned to polyamide corresponding to 10% recycled content, and 5 units of bio-based tokens may be assigned to polystyrene corresponding to 10% bio-based content.

[0210] Based on the non-limiting example in Figure 14, sustainably sourced raw materials may be supplied to the hydrolysis plant 602. For illustrative purposes, the following input materials may be supplied to the hydrolysis plant 602 in the following quantities: • 90 kg of sustainably sourced input materials (such as sustainable palm oil), • 10 kg of input materials from unsustainable sources (such as unsustainable palm oil).

[0211] When these input materials are supplied to the hydrolysis plant 602, they enter the chemical production network. The environmental attributes of sustainably sourced input materials can be determined as described in relation to Figures 2, 9, and 10. Based on the determined environmental attributes, units of tokens linked to such environmental attributes can be determined, and transaction data can be generated for such determined units of tokens as described in relation to Figures 2, 9, and 10. When a transaction associated with such transaction data is executed by the distributed ledger network, units of tokens can be created or assigned to an address associated with the operating system 102 of the chemical production network 104. The units of tokens can be determined based on the amount of each input material. In this example, the environmental attribute "sustainable origin" from sustainable palm oil may correspond to 90 units of sustainable origin tokens. In this example, a simplified weight-based method is used for illustrative purposes only. Other methods may be based on energy, atomic counts such as carbon atoms, molecular counts such as methane, or include losses incurred in production.

[0212] The hydrolysis plant 602 may produce fatty acids that can be further processed and chemically converted. In an exemplary example, 10 kg of fatty acids, 40 kg of fatty alcohol ethoxylate 1408, and 50 kg of fatty acid ethoxylate 1410 may be supplied to the exit point of the chemical production network as products of the hydrolysis plant 602. Since 90 kg of sustainably sourced input materials were used in the production of such products, token units stored in addresses associated with the operating system 102 can be assigned to such chemical products. For example, 40 units of sustainable source tokens can be assigned to the aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate, which corresponds to a 100% sustainably sourced content, and 50 token units of sustainable source tokens can be assigned to the fatty acid ethoxylate, which also corresponds to a 100% sustainably sourced content.

[0213] For illustrative purposes and to further illustrate the method for assigning token units from an address to a chemical product identifier, as described in relation to Figures 2 to 12B, Figures 15A and 15B show examples of data structures for assigning token units from an address to a chemical product identifier.

[0214] Based on the non-limiting examples in Figures 7A-7C, bio-based and recycled materials can be supplied to a steam cracker, converted into token units as shown in Figure 13, and allocated to addresses as described in relation to Figures 2, 9, and 10. In this example, the address has a balance of 3 units of recycled tokens and 5 units of bio-based tokens.

[0215] To assign such token units to chemical products, a chemical product identifier may be provided. The chemical product identifier may be associated with the chemical product supplied to the exit point of the chemical production network. The chemical substance identifier may be associated with the chemical product specifications. The chemical substance identifier may be associated with both the chemical product specifications and environmental attributes.

[0216] As shown in Figure 15A, the chemical identifier may be associated with the chemical product specification "polyamide" or "polystyrene" and the environmental attribute "10% recycled or bio-based content". The chemical identifier may be provided for predefined chemical products associated with predefined environmental attributes. In this embodiment, the number of token units required for each chemical product is predefined, and there is no need to further convert the token units to their respective environmental attributes. In this way, the management of input materials and chemical products in conjunction with environmental attributes can be made less dynamic and simpler.

[0217] As shown in Figure 15B, in addition to chemical identifiers, environmental attribute identifiers may be provided. Chemical identifiers may be associated with chemical product specifications such as "polyamide" or "polystyrene". Chemical product identifiers may be provided for predefined chemical products. Environmental attribute identifiers may be associated with the environmental attribute "10% recycled or bio-based content". Environmental attribute identifiers may be linked to chemical product identifiers. Environmental attribute identifiers may be provided for predefined environmental attribute types. For allocation, token units may be assigned to environmental attribute identifiers and chemical product identifiers as described in relation to Figures 5A to 5C. In this embodiment, the number of token units required for each chemical product is not predefined and can be flexibly allocated. In this way, chemical products with environmental attributes tailored to customer needs can be provided.

[0218] A chemical product identifier can be uniquely linked to the physical entity of a chemical product. In one embodiment, batch identifiers and order identifiers can be provided to and / or linked to the chemical product identifier. In this way, the chemical substance identifier can be uniquely linked to the physical entity of a chemical product leaving the chemical production network. In another embodiment, the chemical substance identifier can be linked to the physical entity of a chemical product by having an encoded chemical product identifier and a physical identifier physically attached to the chemical product. For example, a tag or QR code may be physically attached to the chemical product, and the chemical product identifier may be encoded in the tag or QR code. In this way, the chemical product identifier can be uniquely linked to the physical entity of a chemical product leaving the chemical production network.

[0219] For illustrative purposes and to further illustrate the method for managing token units as described in relation to Figures 2 to 12B, Figure 16 shows an example of a token for managing the allocation and assignment of environmental attributes. Based on the non-limiting example of Figure 13, bio-based and recycled materials may be provided to the steam cracker. The bio-based and recycled materials, along with material data associated with their respective environmental attributes, may be provided to an operating system 102 configured to determine token units and generate transaction data for the creation of token units or the allocation of token units to an address in account 228. In the simplest example, the environmental attribute "pyrolysis oil" from recycled mixed plastic waste may correspond to 3 units of recycled tokens, and the environmental attribute "bio-naphtha" from bio-based vegetable oil may correspond to 5 units of bio-based tokens. Tokens may be associated with metadata, a logo, a decimal number, an environmental attribute type, an input material type, a waste flow type, and a biomass type that indicate the unit. For example, as shown in Figure 16, each token may be associated with metadata related to the environmental attribute type "recycled" or "bio-based", the input material type "pyrolytic oil", "bio-naphtha", or "biogas", and the input material origin "tire", "mixed plastic waste", "vegetable oil", or "food waste".

[0220] To allocate 3 token units and 5 token units to the address associated with account 228, the token metadata can be matched against environmental attributes determined based on the input material data. Once a metadata match is found, each token unit is allocated to the address. Therefore, in this example, the recycled tokens of 3 token units can be transferred from the address to the address of account 228, and the bio-based tokens of 5 token units can similarly be transferred to the address of account 228.

[0221] If metadata provided via environmental attributes associated with input materials does not correspond to any metadata of existing units of a token, a new token associated with such metadata may be created as described in relation to Figures 2 to 12B. Alternatively or additionally, units of tokens associated with the maximum match in metadata may be transferred. Here, maximum may refer to the maximum number of matching metadata points, in particular token metadata points that at least partially match environmental attribute metadata points. For example, environmental attributes may provide more metadata than any token. In such a scenario, units of tokens having metadata points that at least partially match the metadata points of the environmental attribute may be transferred.

[0222] Figure 17 shows an example of an attribution rule for assigning at least one environment allocation attribute to a token.

[0223] Inbound attribution rules 1 to 5 that can map environmental attributes to tokens are shown in FIG. 17. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and input material types such as pyrolysis oil based on recycled input materials and plastic waste. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and production chains such as ethanol production chains. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and attribution methods such as mass balance with and without free attribution. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and chemical product types such as polyurethane.

[0224] Based on such attribution rules, environmental attributes registered when entering the system boundary can be converted into units of tokens associated with each environmental attribute. Environmental attribute types may include bio-based, recycled, renewable, etc.

[0225] FIG. 18 shows an example of an attribution rule for assigning or attributing at least one environmental attribute to a chemical product ID based on the attribution rule.

[0226] Outbound attribution rules 1 to 5 that can map units of tokens to chemical products are shown in FIG. 18. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and input material types such as pyrolysis oil based on recycled input materials and plastic waste. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and production chains such as ethanol production chains. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and attribution methods such as mass balance with and without free attribution. The attribution rules may depend on environmental attribute types such as recycled input materials and chemical product types such as polyurethane.

[0227] Based on such attribution rules, units of tokens created at or transferred to the address of account 228 may be assigned to each chemical product. Environmental attribute types may include bio-based, recyclable, renewable, etc.

[0228] Figure 19 shows an example of an attribution rule instruction for selecting at least one account. Similar to Figures 17 and 18, input materials are provided to the chemical production network, and chemical products are produced by the chemical production network. When input materials are registered, the environmental attributes associated with the input materials are converted into token units, as described herein in relation to Figures 12A and 12B.

[0229] Figure 19 shows an attribution rule instruction configured to select a unit of tokens. Different tokens may be accessible for a chemical product depending on the chemical product and the input materials used to produce such chemical product. The input materials may be determined from a materials table containing the recipe for the production chain up to the chemical product. The production chain may include input materials that are introduced at any stage into the system boundary of the chemical production network. Accessible accounts associated with such input material types may be determined from the input materials used to produce the chemical product.

[0230] For each accessible token, the accessible token units may be determined from the address balance and the type of input material used to produce the chemical product. Such a determination may result in one or more tokens being accessible for the chemical product and target environmental attributes. For example, the target environmental attribute may refer to pyrolysis oil unrelated to the waste flow. Thus, tokens for pyrolysis oil from different waste flows may be accessible. Depending on the respective address balance, one or more combinations of tokens may be accessible. One combination of accessible tokens may be selected, for example, based on the combination with the best address balance. In this way, it may still be possible to satisfy environmental attributes required by other, more stringent target environmental attributes.

[0231] When a chemical product is provided, a token unit from the address may be assigned to the chemical product identifier. In this way, the chemical product can be uniquely associated with a target environmental attribute via the chemical product identifier.

[0232] Figure 20 shows an example of an attribution rule instruction for checking token conformity. Similar to Figures 17-19, input materials are provided to the chemical production network, and chemical products are produced by the chemical production network. Upon registration of input materials, units of tokens are allocated to the address of account 228, as described herein in relation to Figures 12A and 12B.

[0233] Figure 20 shows an attribution rule instruction configured to check the compatibility between attribution schemes. Different attribution schemes may be applied depending on the accessible tokens to correspond to the target environment attributes. For example, one token may be associated with a book-and-claim scheme, while another token may be associated with a segregation scheme. Furthermore, for example, one token may be associated with a mass balance scheme, while another token may be associated with a segregation scheme. Furthermore, for example, one token may be associated with a mass balance scheme with free attribution, while another token may be associated with a mass balance scheme without free attribution. Different attribution schemes may be mutually exclusive. Different attribution schemes may be compatible with each other in the sense that a token unit associated with a first attribution scheme may be combined with a token unit associated with a second attribution scheme, and vice versa. Different attribution schemes may be compatible with each other in the sense that a token unit of a first token associated with a first attribution scheme may only be combined with a token unit of a second token associated with a second attribution scheme. The reverse combination may be excluded. Similarly, attribution rules associated with target environment attributes may or may not be compatible with tokens. Compatibility rules specifying the compatibility of different attribution schemes associated with each token may be provided from the database. Compatibility rules specifying the compatibility of different attribution schemes associated with each token may be related to accounts and / or target environment attributes. Target environment attributes and / or tokens may contain respective metadata specifying the attribution scheme. Depending on such compatibility rules, compatible combinations of accessible tokens and / or target environment attributes may be determined by metadata matching. In this way, it can be ensured that target environment attributes contain only compatible environment attributes.

[0234] Figure 21A shows an exemplary embodiment of a distributed network environment. The distributed network environment may include a distributed stakeholder network 2130. The distributed stakeholder network 2130 may include one or more distributed network stakeholders 2102-2114. Distributed network stakeholders may be part of a product ecosystem, including chemical products. The product ecosystem may include a production chain that produces the final product. The product ecosystem may include a recycling chain that recycles at least a portion of the end-of-life products. The product ecosystem may include a raw material input supplier 2104, a chemical product producer 2102, a chemical product consumer 2106, an OEM 2108, an end-of-life product user 2110, an EOL product collector 2112, and a recycler 2114. The distributed stakeholder network 2130 may be a chemical supply chain. The product ecosystem may enable the use of materials obtained from the recycling of end-of-life products to produce new products, such as chemical products. The product ecosystem may be related to the production and / or recycling of physical products. Products may be chemical products, intermediate chemical products, components, component assemblies, finished products, used products, or recycled products.

[0235] Participants in the decentralized participant network 2130 may be associated with the production and / or recycling of products. Decentralized network participants 2102-2114 may refer to manufacturers of physical products such as input material suppliers 2104, chemical product producers 2102, chemical product consumers 2106, and OEMs 2108, users of physical goods such as end-of-life product users 2110, and / or participants in the recycling chain related to physical products such as EOL product collectors 2112 and recyclers 2114. Decentralized network participants may be associated with decentralized participant identifiers. Decentralized participant identifiers can uniquely identify decentralized network participants within the decentralized participant network 2130.

[0236] Participants in the distributed participant network 2130 may be connected via material flows 2136. A material flow 2136 may correspond to a flow of products from one participant in the distributed participant network 2130 to a downstream participant in the distributed participant network 2130. A material flow 2136 may refer to a continuous or discontinuous flow of products. A product flow may include any means of transport suitable for transporting products from one participant to a downstream participant. These means of transport may include pipes, containers, barrels, and packages. A material flow 2136 may be associated with raw materials used to produce chemical products, such as raw materials. Raw materials may be provided to a chemical manufacturer for the production of chemical products and / or intermediate chemical products (not shown).

[0237] At least some of the participants in the distributed participant network 2130 may be associated with distributed participant network nodes 2116-2128. Distributed participant nodes 2116-2128 may be under the control of each distributed participant associated with each distributed participant node. Distributed participant nodes 2116-2128 may form a distributed network 2134. Distributed network 2134 may be a peer-to-peer communication network. Distributed network 2134 may be configured to execute data transactions 2132. Data transactions 2132 may be based on a transaction protocol that includes an authentication and / or authorization mechanism. Based on the authentication and / or authorization mechanism, peer-to-peer communication may be established between distributed network nodes 2116-2128 associated with distributed network participants 2102-2114. One or more authentication mechanisms may be associated with or linked to a distributed identifier, as described in relation to Figure 21B. One or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier may be accessible by distributed data-providing network nodes and / or distributed data-consuming network nodes, as described in relation to Figure 21B. The distributed configuration enables more efficient use of computing resources and enhances control by data owners of the distributed network.

[0238] Data transactions between participating nodes in a distributed network may be based on a distributed identifier associated with each product data to be accessed, as illustrated, for example, in relation to Figure 21B. The distributed identifier may be uniquely associated with the physical entity of a product and its associated product data. The distributed identifier may uniquely identify each product within the distributed network. The distributed identifier may be associated with further distributed identifiers, such as the distributed identifier of the product used to produce the product. This may make it possible to track the product used to produce a product, such as the final product. The distributed identifier may be included in a digital access element associated with a product, as illustrated, for example, in relation to Figure 21B.

[0239] Data flows 2132 (e.g., transactions) between distributed network participant nodes may be directly or indirectly associated with material flows 2136 between distributed network participants. For example, if data associated with input materials provided by input material supplier 2104 to chemical product producer 2102 is accessed by a distributed data consumption network node associated with the chemical product producer 2102, then data flows 2132 may be directly associated with material flows 2136. For example, if data associated with chemical products produced by chemical product producer 2102 is accessed by a distributed data consumption network node associated with recycler 2114, then data flows 2132 may be indirectly associated with material flows 2136.

[0240] The distributed participant nodes 2116-2128 may be distributed computing nodes. A "distributed computing node" can be any device or system that includes at least one physical, tangible processor and physical, tangible memory capable of having computer executable instructions executed by the processor. The memory may be in any form and depends on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0241] At least some of the distributed participant nodes 2116-2128 may be distributed data serving network nodes. At least some of the participant nodes 2116-2128 may be distributed data consumption network nodes. Participants in the distributed participant network 2130 may be associated with distributed data serving network nodes and / or distributed data consumption network nodes, depending on whether the data is provided to downstream participants and / or consumed by upstream participants. For example, input material supplier 2104 may be associated with a distributed data serving network node configured to provide input material data to a downstream participant (e.g., chemical producer 2102), as described, for example, in relation to Figure 21B. Additionally or alternatively, chemical producer 2102 may be associated with a distributed data consumption network node configured to access data associated with recycled input materials produced by an upstream participant (e.g., recycler 2114).

[0242] The distributed network 2134 may include further distributed network nodes. These further distributed network nodes may be distributed infrastructure service nodes (not shown in Figure 21A). Distributed infrastructure nodes may not be associated with any product ecosystem participants. Distributed infrastructure service nodes may provide services to distributed network participant nodes 2116-2128, such as verifying the identity of the distributed network participant nodes 2116-2128 before performing data exchange. Distributed network participant nodes 2116-2128 may be associated with or include a certificate, such as an X.509 certificate. The certificate may be associated with a distributed infrastructure service node that includes, for example, a certificate issuance service and / or a dynamic provisioning service that provides dynamic attribute tokens (e.g., OAuth access tokens). In this way, distributed network participant nodes 116-124 have a unique identifier embedded in the X.509 certificate that identifies each of the distributed network participant nodes 2116-2128. The information required for certificate verification may be provided through an authentication registry associated with a certificate issuing service and / or a dynamic provisioning service. For example, in version 3.0 of the IDSA Reference Architecture Model as of April 2019, prior to the execution of data exchange (not shown), a distributed data serving network node associated with the data owner, a certificate authority (CA), a dynamic attribute provisioning service (DAPS), and a distributed data consumption network node associated with the data consumer are used to verify the identity.

[0243] Figure 21B illustrates the exchange of input material data associated with input materials provided to a chemical production network via a distributed peer-to-peer network. Access to the input material data twin may be requested by a distributed data consumption service associated with an entity in the distributed network 2130 (see Figure 21A). The entity may be a chemical product producer 2102 that receives input materials from an input material supplier 2104 and / or a recycler 2114 (see Figure 21A). The input material 202 may be associated with a digital twin containing input material data. The digital twin may include a distributed identifier and digital twin data. The input material data may include one or more environmental attributes associated with the input material. For example, an input material such as pyrolysis oil received from a recycler 2114 may be associated with the environmental attribute "recycled" and waste type "tire". The environmental attribute "recycled" and waste type "tire" may be included within the input material data. The input material may be associated with a digital access element generated during or after the production of the input material. A digital access element may be associated with a digital twin or a portion thereof. A digital access element may include a distributed passport identifier and digital twin location data. The distributed passport identifier may correspond to or be associated with the distributed identifier of the digital twin. The digital twin location data may include a digital representation pointing to the digital twin or a portion thereof. The digital access element may further include or be associated with authentication and / or authorization information linked to the distributed passport identifier. Authentication and / or authorization information may be provided for authentication and / or authorization of the distributed data providing network node 2118 and / or the distributed data consuming network node 2116. A digital access element may be provided to the distributed registry 2150. The distributed registry 2150 may store the distributed passport identifier and associated digital twin location data.

[0244] Input materials 202 produced by input material suppliers 2104 and / or recyclers 2114 may be provided to chemical producers 2102 in association with a digital access element. Chemical producers 2102 may process the input materials to produce further chemical products, as described, for example, in relation to Figure 2. Input materials 202 may be associated with a code, such as a barcode or QR code, which encodes a distributed passport identifier. Chemical producers 2102 may read the code via a code reader 2138. The code reader 2138 may be a smartphone running a code reading application, such as a QR code reader app. Data obtained by the code reading application may be used to determine the distributed passport identifier. Data obtained by the code reading application may be used to determine the distributed identifier. Data obtained by the code reading application may be used to determine the input material identifier. Data obtained by the code reading application may be used to determine the digital twin location data. The distributed passport identifier, distributed identifier, input material identifier, and digital twin location data may be determined by the code reader 2138. For example, the distributed passport identifier determined by the code reader 2138 may be a DID, and the code reader 2138 may be configured to retrieve the associated DID document containing the distributed digital twin identifier and digital twin location data, for example, using a DID resolver. In another example, the input material identifier is determined by the code reader 2138 and used to retrieve the distributed passport identifier and associated digital twin location data from, for example, a database, distributed registry 2150. Thus, the code reader 2138 may be configured to retrieve the digital access element containing the distributed passport identifier and digital twin location data from the distributed registry 2150. The code reader 2138 may be configured to provide the distributed passport identifier and / or distributed identifier to a database, such as database 218 associated with the chemical product producer 2102.The code reader 2138 may be configured to provide the determined distributed passport identifier, distributed identifier, and digital twin location data to the distributed data consumption network node 2116.

[0245] The code reader 2138 may be configured to display determined / acquired data on a user interface, as indicated by reference numeral 2140. The user interface may display the determined distributed passport identifier (PP identifier), the determined distributed identifier (DT identifier), and the determined digital twin location data (DT location). In this embodiment, the distributed passport identifier and the distributed identifier are different from each other. In another embodiment, the distributed passport identifier is equal to the distributed identifier. The user interface may further display the determined input material identifier (IP identifier). The user interface may also enable the acquisition of the digital twin or a portion thereof based on the distributed passport identifier and the digital twin location data, as described below. This process may be initiated by a button labeled "Access DT". When the button is pressed, the code reader 2138 may send a request to access the digital twin or a portion thereof to the distributed data consumption network node 2116.

[0246] The decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may generate a request to access the digital twin. The decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may generate a request based on the data received from the code reader 2138. For example, the decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may generate a request based on the decentralized digital twin identifier received from the code reader 2138. The decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may generate a request based on the decentralized passport identifier and / or decentralized identifier provided in the database 218. For example, the decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may be configured to obtain the decentralized identifier and digital twin location data from the decentralized registry 2150 based on the decentralized passport identifier stored in the database 218. The request generated by the decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may include the decentralized identifier and the decentralized participant identifier of the chemical producer 2102 associated with the decentralized data consumption network node 2116. The request may include one or more actions to be performed on the digital twin data. The decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may be configured to determine the decentralized data provision network node 2118 associated with the digital twin based on the digital twin location data provided by the code reader 2138 or obtained from the decentralized registry 2150.

[0247] As shown by the arrow 2142, the decentralized data consumption network node 2116 may send a request to access the digital twin to the determined decentralized data provision network node 2118. The decentralized data provision network node 2118 may be associated with the input material supplier 2104. The decentralized data provision network node 2118 may be associated with the recycler 2114. The decentralized data provision network node 2118 may be associated with the chemical production of producing input materials. The decentralized data provision network node 2118 may be associated with the data owner of the digital twin. In addition to the request, authentication and / or authorization information may be provided by the decentralized data consumption network node 2116.

[0248] Requests can be authenticated. Access to input material data can be authorized based on access policy data associated with the input material data. This makes it possible to filter distributed data consumption network nodes requesting access based on distributed participant identifiers associated with the network node, and to perform the requested action on the accessed data. If a request is not authorized, for example, if distributed data consumption network node 2116 is not authorized to access the digital twin data, the peer-to-peer communication channel is terminated by distributed data provision network node 2118, and the input material data is not provided.

[0249] If the request is approved, the distributed data providing network node 2118 may initiate contract negotiations with the distributed data consumption network node 2116 before providing input data. The distributed data providing network node 2118 may provide the distributed data consumption network node 2116 with an electronic contract. The electronic contract may include one or more authorization rules associated with the distributed identifier. This allows data consumers to determine the access and usage conditions associated with the desired data. The distributed data providing network node 2118 and the distributed data consumption network node 2116 may be configured to negotiate and sign the electronic contract. The use of the electronic contract ensures that the distributed data consumption network node and any further systems handling the digital twin comply with one or more authorization rules associated with the digital twin. Once the electronic contract is signed, input data may be collected and access rights may be applied to the collected data, as indicated by arrows 2144 and 2146. The input material data obtained as a result of applying access rights to the collected input material data can be provided to the distributed data consumption network node 2116 by the distributed data provision network node 2118, as indicated by arrow 2148.

[0250] Input material data provided by the distributed data provision network node 2118 can be stored in the database 218 associated with the distributed data consumption network node 2116, according to the access data, as indicated by arrow 2154.

[0251] Through distributed identifiers, input material data can be uniquely associated with the input material. A digital twin, or a portion thereof, can be transferred in a standardized and secure manner between the input material supplier 2104 and / or the recycler 2114 and the chemical product producer 2102 via a distributed network, enabling the input material supplier 2104 and / or the recycler 2114 to control access to the input material data by multiple distributed data consumption network nodes within the distributed network. In this way, the unique association with the input material allows input material data, including environmental attributes, to be shared directly among stakeholders in the product ecosystem 2130 without a central intermediary. This enables transparency of the digital twin and standardized, secure sharing of environmental attributes within the product ecosystem 2130.

[0252] Figure 22A shows a further example of a decentralized peer-to-peer network and associated product ecosystem stakeholder network for exchanging environmental attributes associated with manufactured products. The stakeholder network may be a decentralized stakeholder network 2216. Decentralized stakeholder network 2216 may include one or more decentralized network stakeholders 2104-2114. Decentralized network stakeholders may be part of a product ecosystem, including chemical products, as described in relation to Figure 21A.

[0253] Participants in the distributed participant network 2216 may be associated with the production and / or recycling of products. Distributed network participants 2104-2114 may refer to manufacturers of physical products, users of physical articles, and / or participants in the recycling chain associated with physical products, as described in relation to Figure 21A. Distributed network participants may be associated with accounts in the distributed ledger network 224. Each account may be associated with at least one unique address. An account, and therefore an address, may also uniquely identify a distributed network participant within the distributed participant network 2216.

[0254] Participants in the distributed participant network 2216 can be connected via the material flow 2220, as described in relation to Figure 21A.

[0255] At least some of the participants in the distributed participant network 2216 may be associated with distributed participant network nodes 2202-2214. The distributed participant nodes 2202-2214 may form a distributed ledger network 224. The distributed ledger network 224 may be a peer-to-peer network. A peer-to-peer network may not include a central instance and / or third-party organizations. Each node 2202-2214 and / or each participant 2104-2114 of the peer-to-peer network 224 may be connectable to at least all other nodes of the peer-to-peer network 224 and / or participants in the distributed participant network 2216. For example, at least one physical standard network (wired and / or wireless) may be used for connectivity. Appropriate transceiver modules may be placed in each entity / device to communicate via at least one physical standard network. Nodes 2202-2214 may have equal authority that distinguishes them from a server-client structure.

[0256] Nodes 2202-2214 may contain peer-to-peer applications. The same peer-to-peer application may be implemented on each node 2202-2214; for example, each node may contain the same content, and the same code (including one or more executable means) may be executed on each node. The peer-to-peer application may preferably be a distributed ledger such as a blockchain. The distributed ledger may be examined by all participants 2104-2114 of the peer-to-peer network 224. In one example, each of nodes 2202-2214 may store the entire distributed ledger such as a blockchain. In another example, only a portion of the distributed ledger may be provided on a node (light node).

[0257] A peer-to-peer application may be configured to create tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials. The peer-to-peer application may also be configured to transfer tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials among participants in the decentralized network 2216.

[0258] Participants 2104-2114 may run peer-to-peer applications on nodes 2202-2214. At least some of participants 2104-2114 may be connected to the peer-to-peer network 224 via peer-to-peer modules. Peer-to-peer modules may be configured to communicate with at least the peer-to-peer network 224, i.e., nodes 2202-2214 of the peer-to-peer network 224. Thus, peer-to-peer modules can be participants in the peer-to-peer network 224. Peer-to-peer modules may not contain peer-to-peer applications. Such peer-to-peer modules may be configured to provide access to peer-to-peer applications, for example, via an API (Application Programming Interface). Such peer-to-peer modules (which are also nodes or light nodes) may contain distributed applications and at least one API. Thus, such peer-to-peer modules may have access to or be connected to a “gateway” running nodes such as nodes 2202-2214 of the peer-to-peer network (so-called remote nodes). The peer-to-peer module may be configured to generate transaction data, for example, as described in relation to Figures 2 and 5A-5C. The peer-to-peer module may be configured to sign the generated transaction data using, for example, a private key associated with each participant in network 2216. The peer-to-peer module may be configured to provide the generated transaction data to the peer-to-peer network 224 for processing. The peer-to-peer module may be configured to query the peer-to-peer network 224 for data. For example, the peer-to-peer module may be configured to retrieve data from the peer-to-peer network 224, such as token units stored in one or more addresses associated with the peer-to-peer module (for example, the addresses of each participant running the peer-to-peer module).

[0259] The peer-to-peer network 224 may be configured to execute data transactions 2218. Such data transactions 2218 may be associated with material flows 2220 between participants in the decentralized participant network 2216. Data transactions 2218 may include data transactions between a peer-to-peer module and the peer-to-peer network 224. For example, a peer-to-peer module may be configured to generate transaction data and provide the generated transaction data to the peer-to-peer network 224. The transaction data may be associated with the creation of one or more tokens, as described in relation to Figures 2 and 5A. The transaction data may be associated with the transfer of token units, as described in relation to Figures 5B and 5C. Data transactions 2218 may include data transactions between peer-to-peer nodes 2202-2214. For example, a data transaction received by a node in the peer-to-peer network 224 may be broadcast to at least some of the other nodes in the peer-to-peer network 224. Each transaction provided to the peer-to-peer network 224 may include a signature. For example, transaction data may be signed using a private key associated with each participant in network 2216. Before processing a transaction, it may be validated by checking the transaction's signature, for example, by comparing the signature to a valid signature stored in a peer-to-peer application. Some nodes 2202-2214 may perform the validation process. If the transaction is valid, it may be processed further, for example, by being included in a further block of the blockchain. It should be understood that means other than signatures (e.g., communication addresses, certificates, etc.) may be used for the validation or authentication process, respectively.

[0260] Peer-to-peer applications can be blockchains. However, the following can be easily transferred to other peer-to-peer applications such as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). A directed acyclic graph, such as IOTA or Tangle, means that blocks (or nodes in the graph) are connected to each other via directed edges. This means that direct means that (all) edges have the same direction as time (always). In other words, backward movement is not possible. Finally, acyclic means that there are no loops.

[0261] Blockchains can be open-ended or permissioned. Blockchains can be public, consortium, or private. Peer-to-peer applications can be formed by multiple blockchains connected via mechanisms such as sidechains or smart contracts. Interoperability between blockchains can be established.

[0262] A blockchain can be formed from at least two interconnected blocks. The first block may also be called the genesis block. Each block (except the first block) may refer to its predecessor. New blocks can be created by a computationally intensive process (e.g., so-called "mining" or another appropriate process such as voting) and provided in particular to all nodes 2202-2214 of a peer-to-peer network.

[0263] A blockchain may be configured to receive transactions such as those related to the creation of tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials and / or transactions related to the transfer of such environmental attribute-linked token units. Transactions may be received from peer-to-peer modules as described above. A blockchain may be configured to validate received transactions. A blockchain may be configured to store validated transactions, such as those described above, in new blocks of the blockchain. For example, a new block may be added to an existing block of the blockchain. A blockchain may be configured to control and manage environmental attributes associated with input materials, for example, as described in relation to Figures 2, 5A, 5B, and 5C.

[0264] In particular, (newly) received transactions may be validated, stored, and published in the current block of the blockchain. Published transactions may be ready for at least some of the participants in the peer-to-peer network. Alternatively or additionally, transaction data may be stored, for example, in a decentralized file service controlled by the blockchain or in registry storage on a decentralized blockchain database.

[0265] Only a portion of the nodes in the peer-to-peer network 224 may be configured to store peer-to-peer applications, and / or only a portion of the nodes in the peer-to-peer network 224 may be configured to execute smart contract algorithms. Since validation / verification requires considerable computational effort, it may be advantageous for efficiency reasons if only a portion of nodes 2202-2214 perform the execution of the executable means and / or validation algorithms and / or authentication algorithms.

[0266] Validation, analysis, and optimization may be performed on-chain or off-chain, as described herein. Off-chain validation, analysis, and / or optimization may be managed by peer-to-peer applications, as well as code on the blockchain. "Strong" means particularly high computing power. In other words, if some (or only) of peers 2202-2214 produce a positive result, a valid entry in the peer-to-peer application (such as the blockchain) is assumed. It should be understood that only a single, particularly strong peer can perform the validation, analysis, and / or optimization process, and additional nodes may be configured as monitoring nodes.

[0267] Similarly, in further embodiments (not shown), particularly large peer-to-peer networks may be divided into two or more clusters. For example, in the corresponding peer-to-peer network, validation may be performed by members of only one cluster (e.g., blockchain sharding to improve scalability). In further embodiments, peer-to-peer applications may be formed using multiple blockchains. These blockchains may be connected via frameworks such as sidechains, smart contracts, or interledgers.

[0268] Figure 22B illustrates the exchange of tokens associated with chemical products that are linked to environmental attributes and provided to chemical product consumers by a chemical production network via a decentralized peer-to-peer network.

[0269] Input material supplier 2104 may provide input materials such as biogas or pyrolysis oil. Environmental attributes of input materials may be provided via a data provision service connected to a decentralized network, as described in relation to Figures 21A and 21B. Chemical product producer 2102 may produce chemical products from input materials provided to the chemical production network. Input material supplier 2104 may access environmental attributes associated with input materials through a data consumption service connected to a decentralized network, as described in relation to Figure 21B. Chemical product producers may manage environmental attributes via tokens linked to such environmental attributes, as described in relation to Figures 2 to 12B. Chemical product producers may assign tokens linked to environmental attributes associated with input materials or environmental attributes associated with the chemical production network, such as carbon footprint, to chemical products, as described in relation to Figures 2 to 12B. Linking units of tokens to chemical product identifiers for polyamide may include generating non-fungible tokens, as described, for example, in relation to Figures 5A and 13. Non-fungible tokens may be generated by a third party on behalf of an entity operating a chemical production network that produces polyamide (see, for example, Figure 5A). Non-fungible tokens may contain data such as NFT data 2232. NFT data 2232 may be recorded on a distributed ledger and may contain a chemical product identifier, batch ID, order ID, and environmental attributes (e.g., 10% recycled content). NFT data 2232 may be linked to further metadata via a pointer contained in, for example, NFT data 2232 (not shown). Such further metadata may be stored off-chain. Such further metadata may include a code printed on the chemical product packaging. Such metadata may include safety data sheets and / or technical data sheets and / or further documents related to the transport of the chemical product. Such further metadata may be accessed via the NFT.

[0270] Non-fungible tokens may be owned by chemical producer 2102, as indicated by a transaction that creates the NFT at an address associated with chemical producer 2102 or a transaction that transfers the NFT to an address associated with chemical producer 2102. Transactions may be stored in blocks of peer-to-peer network 224.

[0271] A chemical product 244, such as one produced by chemical producer 2102, may be provided to chemical producer 2102 associated with an NFT. When chemical product 244 is provided to chemical consumer 2106, chemical producer 2102 may generate transaction data to transfer the NFT associated with the chemical product 244 to chemical consumer 2106. Transaction data may be generated by a peer-to-peer module associated with chemical producer 2102. Transaction data may include data indicating the address associated with chemical consumer 2106 and the NFT to be transferred. Transaction data may be signed with a private key associated with chemical producer 2102. Transaction data may be provided to a peer-to-peer network 224, such as node 2202. The peer-to-peer network 224 may validate the received transaction as described in relation to Figure 22A. The peer-to-peer network 224 may store the received transaction in a new block on the blockchain. When the received transaction is recorded in a new block on the blockchain, ownership of the NFT is transferred from chemical producer 2102 to chemical consumer 2106.

[0272] In the example in Figure 22B, an NFT may be generated by OEM 2108 for the produced final product. Such an NFT may be provided to further stakeholders in the product ecosystem, such as the final product user 2110. A final product-specific NFT may include one or more environmental attributes associated with the final product. One or more environmental attributes associated with the final product may be derived, at least in part, from environmental attributes associated with the chemical products used to produce the final product. Thus, an NFT associated with the final product may be linked to an NFT associated with chemical product 244.

[0273] In this way, the environmental attributes of input materials, chemical products, and any products produced from chemical products can be tracked throughout the value chain to the final product. Tracking the environmental attributes of materials in this manner makes information transparent throughout the value chain, while allowing stakeholders in the supply chain to control the flow of information. Overall, such tracking enables individual supply chain stakeholders to track positive environmental impacts, which makes positive environmental impacts transparent and attributable to individual supply chain stakeholders.

[0274] This disclosure has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments and examples. However, those skilled in the art who practice the claimed invention can understand and practice other variations by examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the claims.

[0275] Any of the steps presented herein may be performed in any order. The methods disclosed herein are not limited to any particular order of these steps. It is not required that different steps be performed in a specific location or on a specific computing node of a distributed system; that is, each step may be performed on a different computing node using different equipment / data processing.

[0276] As used herein, “determine” also includes “initiate or cause to determine,” “generate” also includes “initiate and / or cause to generate,” and “provide” also includes “initiate or cause to determine, generate, select, transmit and / or receive.” “Initiate or cause to perform an action” includes any processing signal that triggers a computing node or device to perform the respective action.

[0277] In the claims and this specification, the word “including” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude plurals. A single element or other unit may perform the function of several entities or items described in the claims. The mere fact that certain means are described in different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these means cannot be used in a favorable implementation.

[0278] Any disclosures and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, systems, devices, and computer program elements outlined above, and vice versa. Advantageously, any benefits derived from any embodiment and example are equally applicable to all other embodiments and examples, and vice versa.

[0279] All terms and definitions used herein are to be understood in a broad sense and have their general meanings.

[0280] Any disclosures and embodiments described herein are merely examples of, and should not be considered as limiting, to the methods, systems, or application devices disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A computer-aided method for attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the method is - To provide the input material data associated with the input material to the operating system of the chemical production network, - Based on the provided input material data, determine the environmental attributes associated with the input material, - To create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, wherein the address is associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, - To provide a chemical product identifier associated with the chemical product and optionally at least one target environment attribute, - Selecting at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to the chemical product, based on the chemical product identifier and optionally the target environmental attributes. - Determining a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via at least one of the aforementioned attribution rules, - Assigning the determined units of the tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes to the chemical product identifier A computer implementation method, including

2. A computer-aided method for attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the method is - To provide the input material data associated with the input material to the operating system of the chemical production network, - Based on the provided input material data, determine the environmental attributes associated with the input material, - Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens associated with a distributed ledger network and linked to one or more of the determined environmental attributes, based on the environmental attributes determined above. - Allocating at least one unit of the token to a further address associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, - To provide a chemical product identifier associated with the chemical product and at least one target environment attribute, - Selecting at least one attribution rule to assign tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to the chemical product, based on the chemical product identifier and the target environmental attributes. - To determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via the at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of the token linked to one or more environmental attributes to the chemical product identifier A computer implementation method, including

3. The computer implementation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining the environmental attributes associated with the input material includes determining the amount of the input material.

4. The computer implementation method according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising determining the environmental attributes associated with the input material, which in turn comprises determining the value associated with the input material.

5. The computer implementation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the token separates the material flow of the input material through the chemical production network from the environmental attributes associated with the input material.

6. The computer implementation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the environmental attributes associated with the input material are determined through a virtual production process.

7. A computer implementation method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein creating one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute in an address associated with the distributed ledger network comprises creating transaction data including at least one of the determined environmental attribute, a token symbol, a token supply, a token fraction, the address associated with the operating system, or a combination thereof, and providing the created transaction data to the distributed ledger network.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein assigning the at least one unit of the token to the chemical product identifier comprises generating transaction data and providing the generated transaction data to a distributed ledger to create one or more further tokens that designate the amortized units of the token, and the one or more environmental attributes are linked to the token and the provided chemical product identifier.

9. The computer implementation method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the chemical product identifier is associated with a product specification for the chemical product.

10. The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising providing the chemical production network with a plurality of input materials associated with one or more environmental attributes, including a first input material and a second input material.

11. Providing input material data associated with the aforementioned input material means - To provide first input material data associated with the first input material, - To provide second input material data associated with the second input material. The computer implementation method according to claim 10, further comprising:

12. - To provide a unit of tokens associated with one or more environmental attributes of the first input material and the second input material. The computer implementation method according to claim 11, further comprising the unit of the token being stored in an address associated with a distributed ledger network, the address being associated with an operating system of the chemical production network.

13. The computer implementation method according to claim 12, wherein assigning or attributing one or more environmental attributes to the chemical product identifier includes creating a digital asset on a distributed ledger that includes the chemical product identifier and the one or more environmental attributes associated with the unit token.

14. An apparatus for assigning or attributing at least one environmental attribute associated with input materials to one or more chemical products, wherein the one or more chemical products are produced by a chemical production network using the input materials, the chemical production network chemically converts the input materials into chemical products exiting the chemical production network via chemical intermediates, and the apparatus, - An environmental attribute determination module, - Receiving input material data associated with at least one of the input materials, - Determining the environmental attributes associated with at least one of the input materials. An environment attribute determination module configured to perform the following: - A distributed ledger application configured to create one or more tokens linked to at least one determined environmental attribute at an address associated with a distributed ledger, wherein the address is associated with the operating system of the chemical production network, - An attribution module configured to provide at least one attribution rule for attributing tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes associated with input materials to a chemical product, - A data provider configured to provide at least one chemical product identifier associated with the chemical product and at least one target environment attribute for the chemical product, - It is an outbound allocator, - Select at least one attribution rule based on the chemical product identifier and the target environmental attributes, - Determine at least one address that holds a unit of tokens linked to one or more environmental attributes via the at least one attribution rule, - Assigning at least one unit of the token linked to one or more environmental attributes to the chemical product identifier. An outbound allocator configured to perform the following: A device including a device.

15. The aforementioned environmental attribute determination module is - Determining the amount of the aforementioned input material, and / or - To determine the value associated with the aforementioned input materials. The apparatus according to claim 14, further configured to perform the following:

Images