Passport for Biodegradable Chemical Products

Abstract

A device for generating chemical product passports is disclosed, comprising one or more computing nodes and one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to cause the device, when executed by the one or more computing nodes, to perform the following steps: - receiving a request to provide biodegradation data and a distributed identifier associated with a data owner; - providing a distributed identifier in response to the request and generating a chemical product passport that includes the distributed identifier and data related to the biodegradation data; and - providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with a data owner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for generating a chemical product passport, a computer-implemented method for generating a chemical product passport, a method for using a chemical product passport, and a computer program element.

Background Art

[0002] Technical Background In recent years, the biodegradability of chemical products has attracted attention.

[0003] Biodegradable chemical products, especially those that decompose naturally, reduce pollution and the accumulation of waste. Biodegradable chemical products can decompose into harmless products such as water, CO2, and minerals. This avoids microplastics. Therefore, biodegradable substances guarantee environmental protection, the maintenance of biodiversity, and the reduction of landfill waste. As a result, for chemical products, the biodegradability of chemical products can be a requirement from authorities regarding market access.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Currently, the biodegradation data of chemical products is stored in a central database and / or a safety data sheet. This is static with respect to the data, prone to errors, and cumbersome to handle or maintain. The configuration of such a system is highly specific and monolithic, so it requires effort for the exchange and sharing of chemical product data. Such a system is not suitable for end customers. Furthermore, changes in biodegradation data based on subsequent process steps may not be reflected. Therefore, in order to improve the biodegradation rate of chemical products, it is necessary to simplify the exchange and sharing of biodegradation data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Summary of the Invention In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating chemical product passports is disclosed, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of receiving a request to provide the biodegradation characteristics of chemical products, particularly biodegradable chemical products, and a distributed identifier associated with the biodegradation data associated with the data owner. - Steps to generate a chemical product passport in response to a request, which includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of the chemical product. - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0006] In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating chemical product passports is disclosed, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of receiving a request that provides a decentralized identifier associated with the data owner and at least a portion of the biodegradable data, - Steps to generate a chemical product passport in response to a request, which includes a distributed identifier and data related to at least a portion of the biodegradation data. - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0007] In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating chemical product passports is disclosed, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of receiving a request to provide a decentralized identifier associated with the data owner and biodegradable data, - Steps include providing a decentralized identifier in response to a request and generating a chemical product passport that includes the decentralized identifier and data related to biodegradation data, - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0008] In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating chemical product passports is disclosed, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of providing a decentralized identifier associated with the data owner and biodegradable data, - A step of generating a chemical product passport that includes a decentralized identifier and data related to biodegradation data, - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by data consumption services controlled by data provision services associated with the data owner. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0009] In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for generating a chemical product passport that includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of receiving a request to provide biodegradable data and a decentralized identifier associated with the data owner, - Steps include providing a decentralized identifier in response to a request and generating a chemical product passport that includes the decentralized identifier and data related to biodegradation data, - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service controlled by or under the control of a data provision service associated with a data owner, wherein the data provision service includes, for example, computer executable instructions for providing and / or processing biodegradation data associated with a data owner for access and / or processing by a data consumption service. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0010] In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for generating a chemical product passport that includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, the apparatus comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by one or more computing nodes, the apparatus performs the following steps: - A step of providing biodegradation data and a decentralized identifier associated with the data owner, - A step of generating a chemical product that includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, - A step of providing a chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service controlled by or under the control of a data provision service associated with a data owner, wherein the data provision service includes, for example, computer executable instructions for providing and / or processing biodegradation data associated with a data owner for access and / or processing by a data consumption service. Includes one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out the following.

[0011] In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating a chemical product passport is disclosed, the method comprising: - receiving a request to provide a decentralized identifier associated with the biodegradability characteristics of a chemical product and biodegradation data associated with a data owner; - in response to the request, generating a chemical product passport comprising the decentralized identifier and data related to the biodegradation data associated with the biodegradability characteristics of the biodegradable chemical product; - providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner comprising.

[0012] In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating a chemical product passport is disclosed, the method comprising: - receiving a request to provide a decentralized identifier associated with a data owner and at least a portion of biodegradation data; - in response to the request, generating a chemical product passport comprising the decentralized identifier and data related to at least a portion of the biodegradation data; - providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner comprising.

[0013] In another aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating a chemical product passport is disclosed, the method comprising: - providing a decentralized identifier associated with a data owner and biodegradation data; - generating a chemical product passport comprising the decentralized identifier and data related to the biodegradation data; - providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner comprising.

[0014] In yet another aspect, an apparatus for producing biodegradable chemical products associated with a chemical product passport is disclosed, the biodegradable chemical products comprising at least one first input of a product supply chain, and the apparatus comprising: at least one collection unit configured to collect biodegradation data associated with at least one first input of a product supply chain, the at least one first input comprising at least one physical identifier; at least one allocation unit configured to assign a physical identifier to a first distributed identifier in order to generate a chemical product passport associated with at least one input; a product passport generation unit configured to generate a product passport by receiving a request to provide at least a first distributed identifier associated with the biodegradation data of at least one first input, and in response to the request, generating a product passport comprising the first distributed identifier and data related to the biodegradation data of at least one first input; comprising.

[0015] In yet another aspect, preferably, a computer-implemented method of using a chemical product passport to determine the characteristics and / or biodegradation treatment of a chemical product associated with the chemical product passport is disclosed, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving a request to access biodegradation data associated with a distributed identifier of a chemical product passport generated according to the method disclosed herein or by the apparatus disclosed herein; - optionally, authenticating and / or authorizing the request to access the biodegradation data; - optionally, permitting access to the biodegradation data associated with the distributed identifier and / or digital access element of the chemical product passport based on the authentication and / or authorization comprising.

[0016] The use of a chemical product passport generated for a biodegradable chemical product in accordance with the methods or apparatus outlined herein, for determining the properties of the chemical product associated with the chemical product passport and / or digital access element, particularly its biodegradability and / or treatment properties.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, a chemical product associated with a chemical product passport is disclosed, and the chemical product passport, which includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, is generated for the chemical product in accordance with the method outlined herein or by the apparatus.

[0018] In yet another embodiment, a system is disclosed which includes a chemical product associated with a chemical product passport, and the chemical product passport, which includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, is generated for the chemical product in accordance with the method outlined herein or by the apparatus.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, a chemical product passport is disclosed which includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, and the chemical product passport is generated for a chemical product in accordance with the method outlined herein or by apparatus.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, a computer element having instructions, in particular a computer program product or a computer-readable medium, is disclosed, which, when executed on one or more computing nodes, is configured to carry out steps of any method disclosed herein or steps by any apparatus disclosed herein.

[0021] In yet another embodiment, a use of a chemical product passport is disclosed, which includes obtaining recipe data of the chemical product passport in order to control the production of a final chemical product from a chemical product based on determined recipe data of the chemical product associated with the chemical product passport.

[0022] Any disclosures and embodiments described herein relate to the methods, apparatus, systems, chemical products, chemical product passports, uses, and computer elements outlined above or below and vice versa. The benefits derived from any embodiment and example are similarly applicable to all other embodiments and examples.

[0023] Embodiment The methods, apparatus, systems, chemical products, chemical product passports, uses, and computer elements disclosed herein provide an efficient, secure, and robust method for sharing or exchanging biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation properties of chemical products across different stakeholder nodes in the chemical product value chain, thereby potentially improving the biodegradation rate of chemical products by, for example, using the biodegradation data to determine appropriate treatment of chemical products at the end of their lifespan.

[0024] Appropriate treatment may include introducing chemical products into the intended habitat. Furthermore, the biodegradability of chemical products can be tracked along the value chain.

[0025] In particular, biodegradation can be securely exchanged and shared under the sovereignty of the data owner by a) attaching decentralized identifiers to the data owner and associated biodegradation data, and b) allowing access by data consumption services controlled by data provision services associated with the data owner. The data owner can therefore control access to the biodegradation data by stakeholders nodes in the decentralized network or data consumption services. This enables simplified and customizable data sharing or exchange across the entire chemical product ecosystem, including input suppliers, chemical raw material manufacturers, intermediate product manufacturers, final product manufacturers, final product distributors, final product retailers, final product customers, final product collectors such as waste collectors, final product recyclers, and waste management facilities.

[0026] In this way, while biodegradation data remains owned by its respective data owners, more reliable and efficient handling of chemical products and end-of-life chemical products by upstream stakeholders in the chemical product ecosystem can be achieved. By directly combining data related to chemical products with distributed identifiers and optionally one or more authentication mechanisms, more reliable and secure data sharing and exchange can be achieved. By further including one or more authentication mechanisms, data sharing or exchange can be made more flexible, with multiple data consumption services from different stakeholders in the chemical product ecosystem accessing the biodegradation data.

[0027] The following outlines embodiments of this disclosure as examples. Please understand that this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and / or examples.

[0028] In one embodiment, biodegradation may include a process in which an organic raw material is broken down into degradation products, particularly by enzymes. These enzymes may be produced by organisms such as microorganisms, bacteria, or fungi. The biodegradation of a chemical raw material may also depend on the chemical structure of the chemical product and the environment in which the biodegradation occurs. Biodegradability may include the ability of a chemical product to biodegrade. Therefore, biodegradability can be a property of a chemical product. In this regard, the properties of a chemical product may include properties of the chemical product that are due to and reflect the properties of the chemical product under specific conditions, such as structure, composition, etc. In particular, biodegradability may reflect the properties of a chemical product when present in a specific physiologically active environment. For example, the biodegradability of a chemical product preferably refers to any of the calcification characteristics, biotransformation characteristics, and / or the decomposition of the chemical product after a certain period of time. Furthermore, biodegradation is a technical characteristic of a chemical product, and for example, knowledge of the biodegradation of a chemical product has a strong influence on the technical applicability and use of the chemical product.

[0029] In one embodiment, the chemical substance may include any chemical substance that is at least partially biodegradable. In one embodiment, this may include substances that are input to a chemical production process. In one embodiment, the chemical raw material may include an intermediate product, such as a product that can be further processed to become a final product.

[0030] In one embodiment, the chemical product may refer to an organic compound. The chemical product may refer to a polymer and / or a functional compound and / or a formulation.

[0031] In one embodiment, the polymer may refer to a synthetic polymer. In one embodiment, the synthetic polymer may be a compound produced by chemical production from one or more starting materials such as monomers, and which contains at least two monomer units. These monomer units may be considered partial units of the synthetic polymer. The synthetic polymer may be made from monomers by a generally known polymerization reaction. The synthetic polymer may be produced from a single type of monomer or from different monomers. The monomer units may be randomly distributed or may exist as blocks within the synthetic polymer. The synthetic polymer may be a linear polymer. The synthetic polymer may be a branched polymer. The synthetic polymer may be a crosslinked polymer. In one embodiment, the synthetic polymer may refer to a synthetic organic polymer. Preferably, the synthetic organic polymer corresponds to one of the following classifications: polyalkoxylates, polyesters, polyamines, polyaminoesters, polyamidoamines, polyurethanes, and polyols.

[0032] Examples of biodegradable polymers include polyesters such as aliphatic polyesters and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyols, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polycaprolactone, starches and starch derivatives such as thermoplastic starch, cellulose and cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate and cellulose hydrate, proteins and proteinaceous substances such as lignin and thermoplastic casein, shellac, callose, chitin, chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol.

[0033] Throughout this specification, aliphatic polyester is understood to mean polyesters based on aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxyl compounds, as well as polyesters based on aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and mixtures of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxyl compounds. To produce aliphatic-aliphatic polyesters, not dicarboxylic acids themselves, but their respective esterifying derivatives or mixtures with dicarboxylic acids may also be used.

[0034] Aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and their ester-forming derivatives generally considered have 2 to 3018 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 1026 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 4 to 13 carbon atoms or 18 to 26 carbon atoms. These can be either linear or branched. Preferably, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is an aliphatic α,ω-dicarboxylic acid. However, it is also possible in principle to use dicarboxylic acids with more carbon atoms, for example, up to 50 carbon atoms.

[0035] Examples of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and ester-forming derivatives include, but are not limited to, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, 2-methylsuccinic acid, glutaric acid, 2-methylglutaric acid, 3-methylglutaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,12-dodecanediic acid, brassic acid, fumaric acid, 2,2-dimethylglutaric acid, suberic acid, diglycolic acid, oxaloacetate, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, itaconic acid, and maleic acid, their anhydrides, and C1-C4 alkyl esters. These dicarboxylic acids or ester-forming derivatives can be used individually or as mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0036] It is preferable to use succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,12-dodecanediic acid, brassic acid, or ester-forming derivatives of each thereof, or mixtures thereof. It is particularly preferable to use succinic acid, adipic acid, or sebacic acid, or ester-forming derivatives of each thereof, or mixtures thereof. Succinic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and brassic acid have the further advantage of being obtainable from renewable raw materials.

[0037] Preferred examples of suitable aliphatic polyesters include, but are not limited to, aliphatic polyesters in which the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid is selected from succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,12-dodecanediic acid, brassic acid, and mixtures thereof. Succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid, and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred.

[0038] Examples of aliphatic diols suitable for the production of aliphatic polyesters are, for example, branched or linear alkanediols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms, or cycloalkanediols having 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable examples of alkanediols are ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-butyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexanediol, and especially ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (neopentyl glycol). Examples of cycloalkanediols include cyclopentanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol. Aliphatic polyesters may also include mixtures of different condensed alkanediols. Particularly preferred are combinations of 1,4-butanediol and propane-1,3-diol, more particularly 1,4-butanediol, with one or two aliphatic dicarboxylic acids selected from succinic acid, adipic acid, and sebacic acid. Propane-1,3-diol has the advantage of being obtainable from renewable raw materials. 1,4-butanediol can also be obtained from renewable raw materials. PCT / EP2008 / 006714 discloses a biotechnical process using microorganisms from the family Pasteurellaceae to produce 1,4-butanediol starting from different carbohydrates.

[0039] The aliphatic polyester may contain structural units formed from a higher trifunctional alcohol, such as 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, 1,1,1-trimethylolethane, pentaerythrite, polyethertriol, and especially glycerol, preferably the weight fraction of the structural units is 2% by weight or less based on the total weight of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and aliphatic diol structural units. The trifunctional alcohol provides branched units.

[0040] Aliphatic polyesters may also include structural units formed from one or more difunctional or oligofunctional species selected from the group consisting of isocyanates, isocyanurates, peroxides, epoxides, oxazolines, oxazines, caprolactams, carboxylic acid anhydrides, and carbodiimides, preferably the weight fraction of such structural units is 4% by weight or less based on the total weight of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic diols of the structural units. The isocyanates, isocyanurates, peroxides, epoxides, oxazolines, oxazines, caprolactams, carboxylic acid anhydrides, and carbodiimides function as chain extenders. A preferred chain extender is hexamethylene diisocyanate.

[0041] Preferred aliphatic polyesters include poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene sebacate) (PBSE), poly(butylene succinate-co-sebacate) (PBSSe)), and mixtures thereof. Even more preferred examples of aliphatic polyesters are poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate-co-sebacate), and mixtures thereof. These types of preferred aliphatic polyesters are marketed under the BioPBS® brand of PTT-MCC.

[0042] Aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are also called semi-aromatic polyesters, i.e., polyesters based on aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxyl compounds, and polyesters based on mixtures of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxyl compounds. Aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are preferably polyesters based on mixtures of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxyl compounds. "Aliphatic-aromatic polyester" should be understood to mean polyester derivatives such as polyether esters, polyesteramides or polyether esteramides and polyester urethanes, as described, for example, in International Publication No. 2012 / 2013506. Suitable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters include, for example, linear non-chain extended polyesters, as described in International Publication No. 92 / 09654. Aliphatic-aromatic polyesters with extended and / or branched chains are preferred. The latter is publicly known from International Publication Nos. 96 / 15173, 96 / 15174, 96 / 15175, 96 / 15176, 96 / 21689, 96 / 21690, 96 / 21691, 96 / 21692, 96 / 25446, 96 / 25448, and 98 / 12242, which are expressly referenced. Mixtures of different aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are also considered. Interesting recent developments are based on renewable materials, and are described in particular in International Publication Nos. 2006 / 097353, 2006 / 097354, and 2010 / 034710.

[0043] Preferred aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are, - i. 20 to 95 mol%, particularly 20 to 90 mol%, particularly 20 to 85 mol%, based on the total mole percent of components i and ii, with at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative or a mixture thereof as component i. ii. Based on the total mole percent of components i and ii, 5 to 80 mol%, particularly 10 to 80 mol%, particularly 15 to 80 mol%, of component ii being at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative or a mixture thereof. Acidic components formed from, - As component iii, at least one diol selected from C2-C12-alkanediols, - Component iv, selected optionally from one or more chain extenders as component iv.a and / or one or more crosslinking agents as component iv.b. Contains polyester, which is an essential component.

[0044] Aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and their ester-forming derivatives (component i) are defined as described above in relation to aliphatic polyesters. Examples are also shown above. Aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or their ester-forming derivatives may be used individually or in mixtures.

[0045] Preferred aliphatic dicarboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, 1,12-dodecanediic acid, brassic acid, or ester-forming derivatives of each thereof, or mixtures thereof. It is particularly preferable to use adipic acid, sebacic acid, or azelaic acid, or ester-forming derivatives of each thereof, or mixtures thereof. As mentioned above, succinic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, and brassic acid have the added advantage of being obtainable from renewable raw materials.

[0046] Aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (component i) are present in amounts of 20-90 mol%, particularly 20-85 mol%, 25-85 mol%, or 30-85 mol%, based on the total molar percentage of acid components i and ii. Sebacic acid, azelaic acid, and brassic acid can be obtained from renewable raw materials, especially castor oil.

[0047] Aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their ester-forming derivatives (ii) may be used individually or as a mixture of two or more thereof. Terephthalic acid or furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and their ester-forming derivatives are particularly preferred. Di-C1-C6-alkyl esters, such as dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisopropyl, di-n-butyl, diisobutyl, di-tert-butyl, di-n-pentyl, diisopentyl, or di-n-hexyl esters, are particularly suitable as ester-forming derivatives. Anhydrides of dicarboxylic acids may also be used. A particularly preferred ester-forming derivative of terephthalic acid is dimethyl terephthalate.

[0048] In one embodiment, the aromatic dicarboxylic acid is terephthalic acid or its ester-forming derivative. Preferably, terephthalic acid (component ii) or its ester-forming derivative is present in an amount of 30 to 75 mol%, more preferably 35 to 65 mol%, and particularly 40 to 60 mol%, based on the total molar percentages of acid components i and ii, respectively. In this case, the total amount of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative is preferably in the range of 25 to 70 mol%, more preferably 35 to 65 mol%, and particularly 40 to 60 mol%, based on the total molar percentages of acid components i and ii.

[0049] In another set of embodiments, the aromatic dicarboxylic acid is furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative. Preferably, furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (component ii) or its ester-forming derivative is present in an amount of 40 to 80 mol%, more preferably 50 to 80 mol%, and particularly 60 to 80 mol%, based on the total molar percentages of acid components i and ii, respectively. In this case, the total amount of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or its ester-forming derivative is preferably in the range of 20 to 60 mol%, more preferably 20 to 50 mol%, and particularly 20 to 40 mol%, based on the total molar percentages of acid components i and ii.

[0050] Generally, the diol (component iii) is selected from branched or linear alkanediols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 4 to 6 carbon atoms, or cycloalkanediols having 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable examples of alkanediols are ethylene glycol, propane-1,2-diol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,2-diol, butane-1,4-diol, pentane-1,5-diol, 2,4-dimethyl-2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol, 2-ethyl-2-butylpropane-1,3-diol, 2-ethyl-2-isobutylpropane-1,3-diol, 2,2,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diol, and especially ethylene glycol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol, and 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diol (neopentyl glycol). Examples of suitable cycloalkanediols include cyclopentanediol, cyclohexane-1,4-diol, cyclohexane-1,2-dimethanol, cyclohexane-1,3-dimethanol, cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol, and 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. Aliphatic-aromatic polyesters may include combinations of different alkanediols or cycloalkanediols. Butane-1,4-diol and propane-1,3-diol, particularly butane-1,4-diol, are especially preferred. Propane-1,3-diol has the advantage of being obtainable as a renewable raw material. 1,4-butanediol can also be obtained from renewable raw materials. PCT / EP2008 / 006714 discloses a biotechnological process using microorganisms from classes including Pasteurella to produce 1,4-butanediol starting from different carbohydrates.

[0051] As a general rule, the diol (component iii) is adjusted at the start of polymerization to a diol-to-dicarboxylic acid ratio of 1.0 to 2.5:1, preferably 1.3 to 2.2:1, relative to the acids (components i and ii). Excess diol is removed during polymerization so that an equimolar ratio is established at the end of polymerization. Equimolar is generally understood to mean a diol / dicarboxylic acid ratio of 0.98 to 1.02:1.

[0052] In particular, preferred aliphatic-aromatic polyesters include the following: i. Based on the total mole percent of components i-ii, one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester-forming derivatives or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group comprising succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, brassic acid and mixtures thereof, in amounts of 20-95 mol%, particularly 20-90 mol%, particularly 20-85 mol%, ii. Based on the total mole percent of components i to ii, one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acid ester-forming derivatives or aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group comprising terephthalic acid and furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, in an amount of 5 to 80 mol%, particularly 10 to 80 mol%, particularly 15 to 80 mol%, iii. Based on components i-ii, 98-102 mol% of C2-C8-alkylenediol or C2-C6-oxyalkylenediol, and iv. A chain extender (component iv.a) and / or crosslinking agent (component iv.b) selected from the group comprising difunctional or polyfunctional isocyanates, isocyanurates, oxazolines, epoxides, carboxylic acid anhydrides, alcohols having at least three functional groups, and carboxylic acids having at least three functional groups, in amounts of 0.00 to 2% by weight, particularly 0.01 to 2% by weight, particularly 0.2 to 1.5% by weight, and particularly 0.35% to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to iii.

[0053] Examples of such biodegradable aliphatic aromatic polyesters include poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSET), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAzT), poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate) (PBST), poly(butylene adipate-co-sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBASeT), and poly (Butylene adipate-co-azelate-co-terephthalate) (PBAAzT), poly(butylene adipate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) (PBAST), poly(butylene sebacate-co-azelate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeAzT), poly(butylene sebacate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeST), poly(butylene adipate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) Poly(butylene adipate-co-furanoleate)(PBAzST), Poly(butylene adipate-co-furanoleate)(PBAF), Poly(butylene sebacate-co-furanoleate)(PBSeF), Poly(butylene azelate-co-furanoleate)(PBAzF), Poly(butylene adipate-co-furanoleate)(PBSF), Poly(butylene adipate-co-sebacate-furanoleate)(PBASeF), Poly(butylene adipate-co-azelate-co-furanoleate)(PBASeF), Poly(butylene adipate-co-azelate-co-furanoleate) These include o-furanoate (PBAAzF), poly(butylene adipate-co-succinate-co-furanoate) (PBASF), poly(butylene sebacate-co-azelate-co-furanoate) (PBSeAzF), poly(butylene sebacate-co-succinate-co-furanoate) (PBSeST), poly(butylene azelate-co-succinate-co-furanoate) (PBAzSF), and mixtures thereof. Such biodegradable polyesters are commercially available, particularly from BASF, under the trade name ecoflex®.

[0054] The synthesis of aliphatic-aromatic polyesters can be carried out, preferably in a two-step reaction cascade, by the processes described in International Publication A92 / 09654, International Publication A96 / 15173, or preferably in PCT / EP2009 / 054114 and PCT / EP2009 / 054116.

[0055] Optionally, the polyester may contain 0 to 2% by weight, particularly 0.2 to 1.5% by weight, particularly 0.35 to 1% by weight, of a chain extender (iv.a) and / or crosslinking agent (iv.b) selected from the group including difunctional or polyfunctional isocyanates, isocyanurates, oxazolines, carboxylic acid anhydrides such as maleic anhydride, epoxides, and especially epoxide-containing poly(meth)acrylates, based on the total weight of components i to iii, with alcohols having at least three functional groups and carboxylic acids having at least three functional groups being particularly used. Preferred chain extenders (iv.a) are particularly difunctional isocyanates, isocyanurates, oxazolines, carboxylic acid anhydrides, or epoxides.

[0056] Chain extenders having at least three functional groups and alcohol or carboxylic acid derivatives can also be considered as crosslinking agents. Particularly preferred compounds have 3 to 6 functional groups. Examples include: tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, polyethertriols and glycerol, trimesic acid, trimellitic acid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic acid and pyromellitic anhydride. Polyols such as trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, and especially glycerol are preferred.

[0057] Examples of chain extenders are described in more detail below. Epoxides are selected from homopolymers and copolymers that contain epoxide groups. The units having epoxide groups are preferably formed from glycidyl esters or glycidyl ethers having ethylenically unsaturated double bonds, and particularly from (meth)acrylates. Preferred comonomers are styrene, acrylates, and / or methacrylates. Based on the total amount of monomers forming the epoxide polymer, copolymers in which the proportion of glycidyl (meth)acrylate is greater than 20% by weight, particularly preferably greater than 30% by weight, and especially most preferably greater than 50% by weight have proven to be advantageous. The epoxide equivalent (EEW) in these polymers is preferably 150 to 3000 g / equivalent, particularly preferably 200 to 500 g / equivalent. The average molecular weight (weight average) Mw of the polymer is preferably 2000 to 25000 g / mol, particularly 3000 to 8000 g / mol. The average molecular weight (number mean) Mn of the polymer is preferably 400 to 6000 g / mol, particularly 1000 to 4000 g / mol. The polydispersity (Mw / Mn) is generally 1.5 to 5. Copolymers of the above type containing epoxide groups are sold by BASF, for example, under the trade name Joncryl® ADR. Particularly preferred chain extenders are Joncryl® ADR4468 or Joncryl® ADR4400.

[0058] As a general rule, it is advantageous to add a crosslinked compound having at least three functional groups to the polymerization of polyester a) at a relatively early stage.

[0059] Suitable bifunctional chain extenders are the following compounds: Aromatic diisocyanates (component iv.a) are understood to particularly mean toluene 2,4-diisocyanate, toluene 2,6-diisocyanate, 2,2'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, naphthylene 1,5-diisocyanate, or xylylene diisocyanate. Of these, 2,2'-, 2,4'-, and 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanates are particularly preferred. Generally, the latter diisocyanates are used as a mixture. The diisocyanates may also contain small amounts of urethion groups, for example, up to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the diisocyanates, to inhibit the isocyanate groups.

[0060] In connection with this disclosure, aliphatic diisocyanates are understood to mean linear or branched alkylene diisocyanates or cycloalkylene diisocyanates having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 12 carbon atoms, such as hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, or methylenebis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane). Particularly preferred aliphatic diisocyanates are isophorone diisocyanates, particularly hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate.

[0061] Suitable isocyanurates include alkylene diisocyanates or cycloalkylene diisocyanates having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 12 carbon atoms, such as isophorone diisocyanate or aliphatic isocyanurates derived from methylenebis(4-isocyanatocyclohexane). The alkylene group may be linear or branched. Isocyanurates based on n-hexamethylene diisocyanate, such as cyclic trimers, pentamers, or higher-order oligomers of hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate, are particularly preferred.

[0062] Polyhydroxyalkanoates, also known as polyhydroxy fatty acids, are understood in this disclosure to mean those containing monomers whose chain length in the polymer backbone is at least three carbon atoms. Polylactic acid and polyhydroxyacetic acid (also known as polyglycolic acid) are therefore not polyhydroxyalkanoates in this disclosure. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is also not understood in this disclosure to be a polyhydroxyalkanoate.

[0063] According to this disclosure, formula (1) [-O-CHR-(CH2)m-CO-](1) (In the formula, R is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and m is a number from 1 to 18, preferably 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) It is preferable to use at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate containing repeating monomer units and / or a homopolymer of 2-hydroxybutyric acid.

[0064] Polyhydroxy fatty acids include both homopolymers, i.e., polyhydroxy fatty acids containing the same hydroxy fatty acid monomer, and copolymers, i.e., polyhydroxy fatty acids containing different hydroxy fatty acid monomers.

[0065] Examples of polyhydroxyalkanoates are as follows: - Poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (P3HP), - Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), - Polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), - Polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHHx), - Polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), - Polyhydroxyoctadecanoate (PHOd), - A copolyester of hydroxybutyric acid and at least one monomer selected from the group including 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid. - Copolyesters of hydroxyvaleric acid and at least one monomer selected from the group including 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, and - A copolyester of hydroxyhexanoic acid and at least one monomer selected from the group including 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0066] Preferred polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs) can be selected from the group comprising poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB), poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB), and copolymers of at least three hydroxybutyrates selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate. More preferably are copolymers of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate. These copolymers are characterized by the abbreviation [P(3HB-co-4HB)], where 3HB is 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4HB is 4-hydroxybutyrate.

[0067] Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is sold, for example, by Tianan under the trade name Enmat®. Poly3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate has been developed in particular by Metabolix. These are currently commercialized by CJ Cheiljedang.

[0068] Suitable polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) is: Homopolymer of 3-hydroxyvaleric acid [=poly(3-hydroxyvalerate)(P3HV)], Homopolymer of 4-hydroxyvaleric acid [=poly(4-hydroxyvalerate)(P4HV)], Homopolymer of 5-hydroxyvaleric acid [=poly(5-hydroxyvalerate)(P5HV)], Homopolymer of 3-hydroxymethylvaleric acid [=poly(3-hydroxymethylvalerate)(P3MHV)], and Copolymer of at least three hydroxyvaleric acids selected from the group including 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 4-hydroxyvaleric acid, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid, and 3-hydroxymethylvaleric acid. It can be selected from a group that includes this group.

[0069] Suitable polyhydroxyhexanoates (PHHx) may be selected from the group comprising poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate) (P3HHx), poly(4-hydroxyhexanoate) (P4HHx), poly(6-hydroxyhexanoate) (P6HHx), and copolymers of at least 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid, 4-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid.

[0070] Suitable polyhydroxyoctanoates (PHOs) may be selected from the group comprising poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) (P3HO), poly(4-hydroxyoctanoate) (P4HO), poly(6-hydroxyoctanoate) (P6HO), and copolymers of at least 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, 4-hydroxyoctanoic acid, and 6-hydroxyoctanoic acid.

[0071] A suitable copolyester of hydroxybutyric acid and at least one monomer selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxyhexanoate, hydroxyoctanoic acid, and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid is: Copolyester of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid [P(4HB-co-3HV)], Copolyester [P(3HB-co-3HV)] of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, Copolyester of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid [P(4HB-co-3HHx)], Copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid [P(3HB-co-3HHx)], Copolyester [P(4HB-co-3HO)] of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, Copolyester [P(3HB-co-3HO)] of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, and Copolyesters of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid [P(4HB-co-3HOd)] and copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid [P(3HB-co-3HOd)] It can be selected from a group that includes this group.

[0072] It is preferable to use poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate in which the proportion of 3-hydroxyhexanoate is 1 to 20, preferably 3 to 15 mol%, based on the total amount of polyhydroxy fatty acids. Such poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate [P(3HB-co-3HHx)] is known from Kaneka Corporation and is commercially available under the trade names Aonilex(trademark) X131A and Aonilex(trademark) X151A.

[0073] A preferred copolyester of hydroxyvaleric acid is preferably a copolyester of 4-hydroxyvaleric acid and / or 3-hydroxyvaleric acid with at least one monomer selected from the group including 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, and especially 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0074] A preferred copolyester of hydroxyhexanoic acid is preferably a copolyester of 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid and at least one monomer selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid and hydroxyoctanoic acid, preferably 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate is poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (P3HP), a copolymer of at least three hydroxybutyric acid selected from the group including 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxybutyric acid, a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxybutyric acid, poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (P3HV), poly(4-hydroxyvalerate) (P4HV), poly(5-hydroxyvalerate) (P5HV), poly(3-hydroxymethylvalerate) (P3MHV), 3-hydroxyvaleric acid, 4-hydroxyvaleric acid A copolymer of at least three hydroxyvaleric acids selected from the group including hydroxyvaleric acid, 5-hydroxyvaleric acid and 3-hydroxymethylvaleric acid, poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate)(P3HHx), poly(4-hydroxyhexanoate)(P4HHx), poly(6-hydroxyhexanoate)(P6HHx), a copolymer of at least three hydroxyhexano acids selected from the group including 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid, 4-hydroxyhexanoic acid and 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate)(P3HO), poly(4-hydroxyoctanoate) A copolymer of at least three hydroxyoctanoic acids selected from the group including poly(6-hydroxyoctanoic acid) (P4HO), poly(6-hydroxyoctanoic acid) (P6HO), 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, 4-hydroxyoctanoic acid and 6-hydroxyoctanoic acid, poly(3-hydroxyoctanoic acid) (P3HO), poly(4-hydroxyoctanoic acid) (P4HO), poly(6-hydroxyoctanoic acid) (P6HO), 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, 4-hydroxyoctanoic acid and 6-hydroxyoctanoic acid Acid copolymers, copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and at least one monomer selected from the group including 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, copolyester of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid [P(4HB-co-3HO)], copolyester of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid [P(3HB-co-3HO)], copolyester of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid [P(4HB-co-3HOd)],The group includes a copolyester [P(3HB-co-3HOd)] of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, a copolyester of hydroxyvaleric acid, particularly 3-hydroxyvaleric acid or 4-hydroxyvaleric acid, and at least one monomer selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, and a copolyester of 3-hydroxyhexanoic acid and at least one monomer selected from the group comprising 3-hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxyoctanoic acid, preferably 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid, and hydroxyoctadecanoic acid.

[0076] Polylactide (PLA), also known as polylactic acid, is a thermoplastic polyester having a main chain of (C3H4O2)n or [-C(CH3)HC(=O)O-]n, formally obtained by condensing lactate C(CH3)(OH)HCOOH with the loss of water. It can also be prepared by ring-opening polymerization of any of D-lactide, L-lactide, mesolactide, or mixtures thereof. When only D- or L-lactide is polymerized, the resulting polymer chain essentially contains D- or L-lactic acid units, respectively. When a mixture of D- and L-lactide is polymerized, longer sequences of -(D)n and -(L)n are obtained due to the random polymerization of D- and L-lactide. When PLA is produced from only D- and L-lactide, i.e., without mesolactide, the shortest block length of D- and L-lactic acid units in polylactide is 2 from a theoretical standpoint. This would only hold true in the case of a strict alternating reaction between D- and L-lactide. The latter also holds true when L-lactide is polymerized with a mixture of either a small amount of mesolactide or a small amount of D-lactide or mesolactide.

[0077] Polylactides can be crystalline, semi-crystalline, or amorphous. Particularly preferred melting or softening points of polylactiides are less than 240°C, especially less than 230°C, and especially less than 220°C, as determined by DSC. Generally, the melting point of crystalline or semi-crystalline polylactiides will be at least 120°C.

[0078] Polylactide is sold by NatureWorks under the trade names Ingeo(trademark) 6201D, Ingeo(trademark) 6202D, Ingeo(trademark) 6251D, Ingeo(trademark) 3051D, Ingeo(trademark) 4043D, and especially Ingeo(trademark) 3251D; by Total Corbion under the trade names Luminy LX975, LX930, LX175, LX575, L130, LX530, and especially Luminy L105; and by Hisun under the trade names Revode 110, 190, and especially Revode 290.

[0079] Polyglycolic acid Polyglycolic acid, also known as polyglycolide, is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer and the simplest linear aliphatic polyester. It can be prepared by polycondensation starting from glycolic acid or by ring-opening polymerization from glycolide.

[0080] Polyglycolic acid also includes glycolic acid homopolymers (including ring-opening polymerization products of glycolide, which is a bicyclic ester of glycolic acid) that contain only the glycolic acid repeating units represented by the formula -(CH2-CO)-, and glycolic acid copolymers that contain at least 70% by weight of the aforementioned glycolic acid repeating units.

[0081] Examples of comonomers that provide polyglycolic acid copolymers together with glycolic acid monomers such as glycolide include, but are not limited to, cyclic monomers containing ethylene oxalate (i.e., 1,4-dioxane-2,3-dione), lactides, lactones such as β-propiolactone, β-butyrolactone, pivalolactone, γ-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, β-methyl-δ-valerolactone and ε-caprolactone, carbonates such as trimethylene carbonate, ethers such as 1,3-dioxane, ether esters such as dioxanone and amides such as ε-caprolactam, hydroxycarboxylic acids such as lactic acid, 3-hydroxypropanoic acid, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and 6-hydroxycaproic acid and their alkyl esters, ethylene glycol and substantially equal molar mixtures of 1,4-butanediol and aliphatic diols such as succinic acid and adipic acid and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and their alkyl or aromatic esters and two or more thereof. These monomers can be replaced by their polymers, which can be used as starting materials to provide polyglycolic acid copolymers together with the aforementioned glycolic acid monomers, such as glycolide.

[0082] Polycaprolactone Polycaprolactone, more precisely poly-ε-caprolactone, is a class of linear aliphatic polyesters obtained by ring-opening polymerization of ω-caprolactone monomer under the catalysis of a metal-organic compound (such as tetraphenyltin). Generally, polycaprolactone has a melting point of 59-64°C and a glass transition temperature of -60°C. Its structural repeating unit has five nonpolar methylene-CH2- and one polar ester group -COO-, i.e., -(COOCH2CH2CH2CH2CH2-)n. Due to this structure, polycaprolactone has good flexibility and processability, as well as good biocompatibility.

[0083] Polycaprolactone is sold, for example, by Daicel Corporation under the product name Placel®, or by Ingevity Corporation under the product names CapaTM6400, CapaTM6500, and CapaTM6800.

[0084] starch As used herein, the term "starch" refers to starch itself and polymers derived from starch.

[0085] Starch is a natural polymer containing amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is essentially a linear polymer with a molecular weight of 100,000 to 500,000, while amylopectin is a highly branched polymer with a molecular weight of up to several million. Starch is produced in many plants, but typical sources include seeds or grains such as maize, waxy maize, wheat, sorghum, rice and waxy rice, tubers such as potatoes, root vegetables such as tapioca (i.e., cassava and manioc), sweet potatoes and sago, and sago palm pith. Broadly speaking, any natural (unprocessed) starch and / or modified starch can be used as component c) in a biodegradable polymer composition. For example, chemically processed starch obtained by typical processes known in the art (e.g., esterification, etherification, oxidation, acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, etc.) is often used. Starch ethers and / or esters such as hydroxyalkyl starch and carboxymethyl starch may be particularly desirable. The hydroxyalkyl group of hydroxyalkyl starch may contain, for example, 2 to 10 carbon atoms, 2 to 6 carbon atoms in some embodiments, and 2 to 4 carbon atoms in some embodiments. Typical hydroxyalkyl starches include, for example, hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxypropyl starch, hydroxybutyl starch, and their derivatives. Starch esters can be produced, for example, using a wide range of anhydrides (e.g., acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, etc.), organic acids, acid chlorides, or other esterifying cationic reagents. The degree of esterification may vary as needed, such as 1 to 3 ester groups per glucoside unit of starch.

[0086] Thermoplastic starches contain plasticizers that help make the starch melt-processable. Starch typically exists in the form of granules, for example, with a coating or outer membrane that encapsulates more water-soluble amylose and amylopectin chains inside the granules. When heated, the plasticizer softens and penetrates the outer membrane, causing the internal starch chains to absorb water and swell. This swelling causes the outer shell to rupture at some point, resulting in irreversible crushing of the starch granules. The starch polymer chains, containing amylose and amylopectin polymers that were initially compressed within the granules, stretch and interlock somewhat irregularly upon crushing. However, upon re-solidification, the chains can reorient themselves to form crystalline or amorphous solids with varying strengths depending on the orientation of the starch polymer chains. Because starch can thus melt and re-solidify at specific temperatures, it is generally considered a "thermoplastic starch."

[0087] Suitable plasticizers include, for example, water, polyhydric alcohol plasticizers such as sugars (e.g., glucose, sucrose, fructose, raffinose, maltodextrose, galactose, xylose, maltose, lactose, mannose, and erythrose), sugar alcohols (e.g., erythritol, xylitol, malitol, mannitol, and sorbitol), and polyols (e.g., ethylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, and hexanetriol). If the starch granules contain a sufficiently large amount of water, the water present in the starch granules can also be used as a plasticizer. Hydrogen-bond-forming organic compounds that do not have hydroxyl groups are also suitable, including urea and urea derivatives, anhydrous sugar alcohols such as sorbitan, animal proteins such as gelatin, vegetable proteins such as sunflower protein, soy protein, and cottonseed protein, and mixtures thereof. Other suitable plasticizers include phthalates, dimethyl and diethyl succinates and related esters, glycerol triacetates, glycerol mono and diacetates, glycerol mono, di and trippropionates, butanoates, stearates, lactates, citrates, adipicates, stearates, oleates, and other acid esters. Aliphatic acids such as copolymers of ethylene and acrylic acid, polyethylene grafted with maleic acid, polybutadiene-co-acrylic acid, polybutadiene-co-maleic acid, polypropylene-co-acrylic acid, polypropylene-co-maleic acid, and other hydrocarbon acids may be used. Low molecular weight plasticizers, such as less than about 20,000 g / mol, preferably less than about 5,000 g / mol, and more preferably less than about 1,000 g / mol, are preferred. Preferred plasticizers are water, glycerol, oligoglycerol, sorbitol, and hydrogenated hydrolyzed starch syrup (CAS 68425-17-2).

[0088] The relative amounts of starch and plasticizer used in thermoplastic starch can vary depending on various factors, such as the desired molecular weight, the type of starch, and the affinity of the plasticizer to the starch. However, typically, the starch comprises thermoplastic starch in amounts of about 30% to 95% by weight, about 40% to 90% by weight in some embodiments, and about 50% to 85% by weight in some embodiments. Similarly, the plasticizer typically comprises a thermoplastic composition in amounts of about 5% to 55% by weight, about 10% to 45% by weight in some embodiments, and about 15% to 35% by weight in some embodiments. Different composition ranges may be more suitable depending on the intended application of the polymer composition; see below for further details.

[0089] The starch may be selected from biofillers and mixtures thereof, including wheat flour, natural starch, modified starch, hydrolyzed starch, crushed starch, gelatinized starch, plasticized starch, thermoplastic starch, and complexed starch.

[0090] Preferably, the starch polymer is selected from natural starch, more preferably from corn, potato, tapioca, pea, wheat, or rice starch, most preferably from natural corn or wheat starch, and particularly preferably from corn.

[0091] In one embodiment, the chemical product may include an aliphatic polyester. In one embodiment, the chemical product may include an aliphatic aromatic polyester.

[0092] In one embodiment, the chemical product may contain a polyhydroxyalkanoate. In one embodiment, the chemical product may contain polylactide.

[0093] In one embodiment, the chemical product may contain polyglycolic acid. In one embodiment, the chemical product may contain polycaprolactone.

[0094] In one embodiment, the chemical product may contain starch. In one embodiment, the chemical product may be a pharmaceutical formulation.

[0095] In one embodiment, the chemical product may be a personal care product. In one embodiment, the chemical product may include a detergent.

[0096] In one embodiment, the chemical product may include a functional compound. In one embodiment, the chemical product may include chemical substances that provide a function associated with the application characteristics of the chemical product. Examples include polymers in detergents, cleaning ingredients, and UV-blocking polymers in sunscreen products. In one embodiment, the functional compound may refer to a molecule with a molecular mass of less than 10,000 g / mol. More preferably, the molecular weight of the compound is less than 600 g / mol, and even more preferably less than 300 g / mol. Furthermore, it is preferable that the functional compound exists in the environment in a form that allows the molecule to be fully described using a simple structural formula containing relevant information. A simple molecular structure refers to a molecule that can be clearly described by the covalent bonds between atoms of the molecule. Examples of cases where this is not the case include systems in dynamic equilibrium between several forms such as monomers and oligomers, as in the case of some inorganic acids, or ionic species with highly localized charges that strongly interact with the solvent, for example, via hydrogen bonding. The functional compound may have one or more of the following properties: having an effect on living organisms, being suitable for influencing the structure of living organisms, or being suitable for influencing the function of living organisms. In one embodiment, the functional compound contains at least one of the following functional groups: ester group, ether group, lactone group, hydroxyl group, carbonyl group, phenol group, amide group, amine group, alkyl group, alkylene group, phenyl group, ketone group, aldehyde group, acetal group, ketal group, sulfhydryl group, sulfide group, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the polymer corresponds to one of the following compound classes: carboxyl group derivative, ether group, amine group, hydroxyl group, carbonyl group, alkane group, alkene group, benzene derivative, pyridine derivative, or halogen group.

[0097] In one embodiment, degradation products may refer to a portion of a chemical product after enzymatic degradation of that chemical product. For example, an amine may be converted to an alcohol. In one embodiment, initial degradation products may include degradation products after the first step of enzymatic degradation of a chemical substance. In one embodiment, residual degradation products may refer to degradation products that are (substantially) inert to enzymatic degradation of a chemical product in a biodegradable habitat. In one embodiment, the generation of degradation products may refer to the determination of degradation products. In one embodiment, the provision of degradation products may refer to the provision of a digital representation of the degradation products.

[0098] In one embodiment, a biodegradable habitat may refer to an environment in which biodegradation occurs. In one embodiment, a biodegradable habitat may include a biological community such as the presence of microorganisms and other organisms that promote the decomposition of chemical products. A biodegradable habitat may refer to the characteristics of a biodegradable habitat. A biodegradable habitat may refer to the characteristics of a biodegradable habitat and associated characteristic values. In one embodiment, a biodegradable habitat may refer to one or more characteristics of a biodegradable habitat. In one embodiment, a biodegradable habitat characteristic may refer to any one of a marine habitat, a wastewater habitat, a freshwater habitat, a lake habitat, an anaerobic habitat, a compost habitat, or a soil habitat.

[0099] In one embodiment, the intended biodegradable habitat may refer to the biodegradable habitat for which the biodegradation data of a chemical product is intended. Examples include wastewater from detergents, compost from biodegradable shopping bags, and soil from agricultural films.

[0100] In one embodiment, an unintended biodegradable habitat may refer to a habitat in which the biodegradation of a chemical product is not intended. The reason why a chemical product ends up in an unintended habitat may be due to littering or mismanagement of waste flow.

[0101] In one embodiment, access to biodegradation data associated with unintended habitats may be restricted. To prevent incentives for littering, it may be beneficial to prohibit end customers from accessing biodegradation data associated with unintended habitats.

[0102] In one embodiment, access to biodegradation data may be restricted in accordance with the authentication and / or approval methods disclosed herein.

[0103] In one embodiment, a distributed identifier may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the data owner and / or the biodegradation data. A distributed identifier may include one or more universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) and / or digital identifiers (DIDs). A distributed identifier may be associated with a digital twin of a chemical product, the digital twin including the biodegradation data. A distributed identifier may be associated with a physical entity of a chemical product. Any combination of UUIDs and DIDs is possible. A distributed identifier may be issued by a central or distributed identifier issuer. A distributed identifier may be generated by or on behalf of the data owner. A distributed identifier may be used in a distributed network and may include one or more identifiers that enable data exchange over the distributed network. Data exchange may include the discovery of distributed identifiers of participant nodes in the distributed network, authentication of participant nodes in the distributed network, and / or authentication of data transfer via peer-to-peer communication between participant nodes in the distributed network. A decentralized identifier can be associated with any party in the chemical ecosystem, including raw material suppliers, intermediate product manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, chemical product distributors, chemical product retailers, chemical product end customers, chemical product collectors such as waste collectors, chemical product recyclers, and waste management facilities. A decentralized identifier can be associated with machines, systems, or devices used in the production of chemical products, the recycling of chemical products, or the collection or processing of waste at waste management facilities, or with a collection of such machines, devices, and / or systems. A decentralized identifier may be a digital identifier of or for a decentralized network. A decentralized identifier may be a digital identifier provided to a decentralized network and to the relevant nodes of the decentralized network. Such a decentralized identifier may therefore represent a physical entity of a chemical product in the decentralized network, and the relevant nodes may be able to interpret the relationship between the decentralized identifier and the physical entity of the product. A decentralized identifier may include authentication information. Access to characteristic data may be controlled by the data owner through a unique association of the decentralized identifier with the data owner and biodegradation data.This is in contrast to a centralized system where identifiers are provided by such a central authority, and access to data is controlled by such a central authority. In this context, decentralized refers to the use of identifiers in implementations where they are controlled by the data owner.

[0104] In one embodiment, the chemical product passport may further include the data owner's public key and / or a chemical product identifier associated with the chemical product. The chemical product identifier may include a batch number, chemical product name, chemical product ID, part number, lot number, or a combination thereof. The lot number may be assigned to the chemical product at the time of production. Since the chemical product identifier can uniquely identify the physical entity of each chemical product, all data associated with the identifier, such as biodegradability and decentralization identifiers, can be associated with the physical entity of the chemical product.

[0105] Chemical products can be produced from one or more chemical substances. Chemical substances can be chemical raw materials or intermediate chemical products. Chemical raw materials may include polymers, particularly monomers and chain extenders used in the production of biodegradable polymers as described above. Intermediate chemical products may include polymer antioxidants, accelerators, and antioxidants.

[0106] In one embodiment, biodegradation data may be associated with a polymer that is uniquely linked to it. Biodegradation data may include data associated with the biodegradation properties of a chemical product.

[0107] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of chemical products provides data points that indicate the environmental compatibility of chemical products.

[0108] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of a chemical product may include data associated with the produced chemical product. Biodegradation data may include data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of a chemical product and may include data associated with the characteristics of the chemical raw materials used in the production of the chemical product or at least one characteristic related to the use of the chemical raw materials used in the production of the chemical product.

[0109] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of chemical products may include chemical product identifiers such as the chemical product name.

[0110] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation properties of chemical products may include data associated with test methods, particularly standardized test methods. Data associated with test methods may be linked to one or more elements of the following group of test methods: DIN EN ISO 17556;December 2012,OECD 301;July 1992,ASTM D 5338,Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions,September 1998,ASTM D 6002,Standard Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics, October 1996, ASTM D 6400, Standard Specification for Compostable Plastic, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 13432, Verpackungen,December 2000,DIN EN ISO 11734,Wasserbeschaffenheit-Bestimmung der vollstaendigen anaeroben biologischen Abbaubarkeit organischer Verbindungen im Faulschlamm-Verfahren durch Messung der Biogasproduktion,November 1998,DIN V 54900-1 Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 1:Chemische Pruefung,Oktober 1998,DIN V 54900-2,Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 2:Pruefung auf vollstaendige Abbaubarkeit von Kunststoffen in Laborversuchen,September 1998,DIN V 54900-3,Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 3:Pruefung unter praxisrelevanten January 1997,ISO 14851, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by measurement of oxygen demand in a sealed respiration meter, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 14852, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 14855, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999, ISO / DIS 14853, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability of plastics in aqueous systems - Method by measurement of biogas generation, April 1999, and ISO / DIS 15985, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastics under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions - Method by analysis of released biogas, April 1999.

[0111] Standardized testing often strikes a balance between time-efficient testing (14 days to a maximum of 24 months) and real-world conditions.

[0112] Each of the disclosed test methods may demonstrate a biodegradable habitat. Providing data associated with the test method enables an understanding of biodegradation data. This is crucial for enabling the reproducibility and comparability of the tests and, consequently, the biodegradation data.

[0113] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradability characteristics of chemical products may include data associated with biodegradable habitats. Habitat-related data may indicate the type of habitat, such as marine habitats, wastewater habitats, freshwater habitats, lake habitats, anaerobic habitats, compost habitats, or soil habitats. Habitat-related data may further include habitat parameters, which may include parameters associated with the characteristics of the biodegradable habitat.

[0114] Parameters associated with the characteristics of the marine habitat may include at least one of the following: salinity, type of precipitate, oxygen level, water temperature, nutrient concentration (e.g., nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration), pH value, oxygen content, microbial community, concentration of microbial community, enzyme concentration, type of enzyme, fungal population, and bacterial population.

[0115] Parameters associated with the characteristics of the wastewater habitat may include water temperature, microbial community, sludge concentration, nutrient concentration (e.g., nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration), pH value, solids content, enzyme environment, microbial community concentration, enzyme concentration, enzyme type, fungal community, and bacterial community. In one embodiment, the characteristics of the wastewater habitat may further include sludge-related data, including data associated with at least one of the following: sludge solids content, sludge pH value, sludge nutrient content, sludge heavy metal content, sludge microbial community, enzyme concentration, enzyme type, fungal community, and bacterial community.

[0116] Parameters associated with the characteristics of the soil habitat may include at least one of the following: temperature, soil composition, e.g., sand and / or clay content, pH value, water content, nutrient concentration, e.g., nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration, microbial community, water retention capacity and enzyme environment, microbial community concentration and enzyme concentration, enzyme concentration, enzyme type, fungal community, bacterial community.

[0117] Parameters associated with the characteristics of the compost habitat may include temperature, compost activity, pH value, water content, humidity, desired compost maturity, compost composition, compost source, nutrient concentration, microbial community, solid content, water retention capacity, and at least one of the following: enzyme environment, enzyme concentration, enzyme type, fungal population, and bacterial population.

[0118] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradability characteristics of chemical products may include data associated with the intended habitat. Biodegradation data associated with the intended habitat may include data disclosed in relation to the biodegradable habitat.

[0119] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradability characteristics of chemical products may include data associated with unintended habitats. Data associated with unintended habitats may include data disclosed in relation to biodegradable habitats.

[0120] Biodegradability in unintended environments may be a requirement for market access to chemical products. Providing data associated with unintended environments makes it possible to identify whether chemical products can biodegrade under various environmental conditions.

[0121] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of a chemical product may include data associated with quantifying the degree of biodegradation of the chemical product. For example, biodegradation data may include only one value, e.g., the half-life of the chemical product in each habitat, or it may refer to two or more values, e.g., the decomposition function of the chemical product over time in a particular habitat. Preferably, biodegradability may refer to the percentage of biodegradation after a predetermined time frame. In one embodiment, biodegradation data may be associated with the ratio of biochemical oxygen demand (MG), which is the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms (BOD) when metabolizing the chemical product, to the theoretical oxygen demand (MG), which may be the total amount of oxygen required for the complete oxidation of the chemical product (ThOD), and is also expressed as mg oxygen uptake of the test compound per 1 mg, where ThOD can be calculated from the molecular formula of the chemical product. Alternatively or additionally, biodegradation data may include the ratio of CO2 produced to the theoretical amount of carbon dioxide (ThCO2) calculated to be produced when the chemical product is completely biodegraded, based on the known or measured carbon content of the chemical product when completely biodegraded. Biodegradation data may further include release data associated with CO2 release due to biodegradation, and data associated with the delay period, i.e., the period from inoculation until the biodegradation level reaches approximately 10%. In one embodiment, data associated with quantifying the degree of biodegradation of a chemical product may be associated with each test method.

[0122] This is important because the biodegradability of chemical products varies significantly depending on their habitat. In particular, certain chemical products may be biodegradable in compost but not in water. Including data associated with biodegradable habitats allows for the determination of biodegradability in multiple environments.

[0123] In one embodiment, biodegradation data may be associated with microplastic data, which is related to the amount of microplastics introduced into the habitat by biodegradation.

[0124] While microplastics in personal care products have been studied, the fact that non-biodegradable degradation products can be produced during the biodegradation process has been overlooked. These non-biodegradable degradation products may form microplastics.

[0125] In one embodiment, microplastic data can be associated with the degree of biodegradation in the habitat.

[0126] In one embodiment, microplastic data may be correlated with the degree of biodegradation in the intended habitat. Different methods for determining the degree of biodegradation are disclosed with reference to the biodegradation tests described herein.

[0127] In one embodiment, microplastic data can be associated with the degree of biodegradation in unintended habitats.

[0128] In one embodiment, microplastic data may indicate no microplastic formation when biodegradability is 100% in both intended and unintended habitats.

[0129] Including microplastic data in biodegradation data makes it possible to evaluate the environmental impact of chemical products.

[0130] The amount of microplastics generated by biodegradation is a major concern regarding plastics.

[0131] Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of chemical products may include data associated with degradation products. Data associated with degradation products may include digital representations of the degradation products. Data associated with degradation products may include toxicity data associated with the toxicity of the degradation products.

[0132] Providing toxicity data related to the toxicity of degradation products is important because it allows for control over the release of toxic degradation products during the biodegradation of chemical products. This contributes to environmental protection.

[0133] Data associated with degradation products may include, in particular, the lifespan of each degradation product in the biodegradation habitat of chemical products.

[0134] In one embodiment, the biodegradation data may include a list of chemical products suitable for further processing. Suitable chemical products may include biodegradable chemical products. Additionally or alternatively, suitable chemical products may include products that, when treated with biodegradable chemicals, produce biodegradable final products and / or biodegradable intermediate products. The use of suitable chemical products ensures biodegradability along the value chain to the final product.

[0135] In one embodiment, recipe data associated with a recipe may include instructions for producing a biodegradable chemical product from two or more inputs, including chemical substances. In particular, recipe data associated with a recipe may include data associated with two or more inputs and their respective amounts. Recipe data may further include data associated with the supply rates of individual inputs. Recipe data may further include data associated with the reaction temperature and / or temperature profile. Recipe data may further include data associated with the dosing time. Recipe may further include data associated with pressure. Recipe may further include data associated with post-reaction time. Recipe may further include data associated with the mixing rate. In particular, recipe data may include control data suitable for controlling the production of biodegradable chemical products.

[0136] The following table shows examples of polymer recipes according to this disclosure.

[0137] [Table 1]

[0138] In one embodiment, the chemical product produced by the recipe may be a formulation, which may comprise a mixture of two or more input substances mixed in specified ratios. The use of formulations includes, in particular, coatings, personal care products, detergents, and lubricants. Personal care products and detergents, in particular, are consumables. They are often intended to be used with water. Thus, the intended habitat of personal care products and / or detergents may be wastewater. Consequently, biodegradation data for personal care products may include data showing OECD 301. The raw materials of a formulation may comprise a combination of polymers and / or functional chemical products. A biodegradable formulation may refer to a formulation that can be broken down by biological processes, and in particular, a biodegradable formulation may include a formulation that can be assimilated by bacteria and / or fungi.

[0139] In one embodiment, biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation properties of a chemical product may include recipe data associated with recipes for producing biodegradable intermediate products and / or biodegradable final products from the chemical product.

[0140] In one embodiment, recipe data may include instructions for producing a biodegradable chemical product from two or more input substances, including chemical substances.

[0141] By providing production orders, it is guaranteed that the intermediate and / or final products produced in accordance with the orders will be biodegradable. This allows producers of intermediate and / or final products to obtain biodegradable chemical products.

[0142] In one embodiment, recipe data associated with a recipe may include data associated with two or more input substances, each including a chemical product and the amount of each to produce a biodegradable chemical intermediate and / or final product.

[0143] The usage of biodegradable intermediate and / or final products is generated by including data associated with two or more input substances, including chemical substances and their respective quantities.

[0144] Recipe data may include temperature and / or temperature profiles. Recipe data may include pressure and / or pressure profiles.

[0145] In one embodiment, recipe data may include operating parameters for producing biodegradable chemical intermediates and / or final products from input materials, including chemical substances. In particular, the operating parameters may be provided as control signals suitable for controlling a plant that produces biodegradable materials.

[0146] This makes it possible to operate the production plant based on operating parameters and / or control data, enabling the production of biodegradable intermediate and / or final products.

[0147] In one embodiment, operating parameters may include temperature and / or temperature profile. Temperature directly affects the chemical reaction and bond formation. By providing a target temperature, it is possible to control the formation of bonds that can be cleaved by the enzymatic reaction, so that the produced intermediate and / or final product is biodegradable.

[0148] In one embodiment, operating parameters may include pressure. Pressure affects chemical reactions and bond formation. By providing a target pressure, it is possible to control the formation of bonds that can be cleaved by the enzymatic reaction, so that the produced intermediate and / or final product is biodegradable.

[0149] In one embodiment, the operating parameters may include reaction time. The reaction time affects the chemical reaction and bond formation. By providing a target reaction time, it is possible to control the formation of bonds that can be cleaved by the enzymatic reaction, so that the produced intermediate and / or final product is biodegradable.

[0150] In one embodiment, the recipe data may include control data suitable for controlling the production of biodegradable chemical intermediates and / or final products. In one embodiment, the control data suitable for controlling production may include any one or any combination of the disclosed recipe data.

[0151] By including control data in the biodegradation data of chemical substances, it becomes possible to control the production process, thus ensuring that the produced intermediate chemical products and / or final products are biodegradable.

[0152] In one embodiment, biodegradation data associated with a chemical substance may include waste treatment data associated with treatment instructions for processing the biodegradable end product at the end of its lifespan.

[0153] By including processing data in the biodegradation data, the biodegradation rate can be improved.

[0154] As mentioned above, the biodegradability of chemical products depends heavily on their habitat. Improving the rate of biodegradation may depend on the proper processing of biodegradable products.

[0155] In one embodiment, the data associated with the processing command may include one or more of the desired temperature, desired temperature range, desired microbial community and desired retention time, and desired enzymes.

[0156] By providing processing data associated with processing orders that include the desired retention time, it is ensured that chemical products remain within the waste management and treatment plant until biodegradation occurs. This reduces the risk of environmental pollution.

[0157] By providing processing data associated with processing instructions that include a desired temperature or temperature range, a reduction in biodegradation time is guaranteed. This can improve the throughput of waste management plants.

[0158] By providing processing data associated with processing instructions that include the desired microbial community, a reduction in biodegradation time is guaranteed. This can improve the throughput of waste management plants.

[0159] In one embodiment, the processing data may include environment-specific instructions for a particular habitat.

[0160] In one embodiment, habitat-specific instructions for saline water may include at least one of a desired salt concentration, a desired type of sedimentation, a desired oxygen level, a desired water temperature, a desired nutrient concentration, such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration, a desired pH value, a desired oxygen content, a desired microbial community, a desired concentration of the desired microbial community, and a desired enzyme concentration.

[0161] In one embodiment, habitat-specific instructions for wastewater may include at least one of a desired water temperature, a desired microbial community, a desired sludge concentration, a desired nutrient concentration, such as nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration, a desired pH value, a desired solids content, a desired enzyme environment, a desired concentration of the desired microbial community, and a desired enzyme concentration. In one embodiment, biodegradation data associated with the treatment instructions may include further sludge-related data, including data associated with at least one of the desired sludge solids content, a desired sludge pH value, a desired sludge nutrient content, a desired sludge heavy metal content, and a desired sludge microbial community.

[0162] In one embodiment, the habitat-specific instructions for the soil may include at least one of a desired temperature, a desired soil composition, e.g., sand and / or clay content, a desired pH value, a desired water content, a desired nutrient concentration, e.g., nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and / or dissolved organic carbon concentration, a desired microbial community, a desired water retention capacity and a desired enzyme environment, a desired concentration of the desired microbial community and a desired enzyme concentration.

[0163] In one embodiment, the habitat-specific instructions for compost may include at least one of the following: desired temperature, desired compost activity, desired pH value, desired moisture content, desired humidity, desired compost maturity, desired compost composition, desired compost source, desired nutrient concentration, desired microbial community, desired solids content, desired water retention capacity, and desired enzymatic environment.

[0164] In one embodiment, the biodegradation data associated with the processing command may include operational data suitable for the operation of the waste management facility.

[0165] Biodegradation data can be generated or collected before, during, or after the production of chemical products. Biodegradation data can be generated by any party in the chemical product ecosystem, such as raw material suppliers, intermediate product manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, and testing laboratories that conduct biodegradation tests.

[0166] Biodegradation data may be associated with the chemical product produced. Biodegradation data may be updated based on subsequent process and / or production steps. Subsequent process steps may, for example, change biodegradation data, particularly biodegradation data associated with the degree of biodegradability. Raw materials may, for example, be biodegradable, but the resulting polymer may not be biodegradable. This may be reflected in the chemical substance passport. Biodegradation data may be associated with multiple properties of the chemical used in the production of the chemical product or with at least one property related to the use of the chemical used in the production of the chemical product. Biodegradation data includes identifiers such as the chemical product name, data associated with multiple properties of the raw materials used in the production of the chemical product or with at least one property related to the use of the chemical used in the production of the chemical product, and data associated with the identifier of the produced chemical product, such as the name of the produced chemical product, and test methods, particularly standardized test methods. Data associated with test methods may be associated with one or more elements of the following group of test methods. DIN EN ISO 17556;December 2012,OECD 301;July 1992,ASTM D 5338,Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions,September 1998,ASTM D 6002,Standard Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics,October 1996,ASTM D 6400,Standard Specification for Compostable Plastic,May 1999,DIN EN ISO 13432,Requirements for the recycling of packaging through composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and assessment criteria for the classification of packaging, December 2000, DIN EN ISO 11734, Water quality - Determination of the complete anaerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in the sludge process by measuring biogas production, November 1998, DIN V 54900-1 Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 1: Chemical testing, October 1998, DIN V 54900-2, Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 2: Testing for complete biodegradability of plastics in laboratory tests, September 1998, DIN V 54900-3, Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 3: Testing under practical conditions and the quality of Compost, September 1998 E, DIN 54900-4, Testing of the compostability of polymeric materials - Part 4: Testing of the ecotoxicity of composts, January 1997,ISO 14851, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by measurement of oxygen demand in a sealed respirator, May 1999; DIN EN ISO 14852, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999; DIN EN ISO 14855, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999; ISO / DIS 14853, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability of plastics in aqueous systems - Method by measurement of biogas generation, April 1999; and ISO / DIS 15985, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastics under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions - Method by analysis of released biogas, April 1999.

[0167] Raw material biodegradation data may include data associated with the biodegradable habitat. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the produced product may include data associated with the quantification of the degree of biodegradation of the chemical product. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the produced chemical product may include microplastic data associated with the amount of microplastics introduced into the habitat by biodegradation. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the raw material may include data associated with the degradation products. Data associated with the degradation products may include toxicity data associated with the toxicity of the degradation products. Biodegradation data may include a list of chemical products suitable for further processing. Biodegradation data may include recipe data associated with recipes that may include instructions for producing biodegradable chemical products from raw materials containing chemical substances. Biodegradation data may include data related to operating conditions provided by the operating system 402 of the chemical product production 304. Biodegradation data may include data associated with the producer, such as producer name, producer brand, or producer identifier. Biodegradation data may include chemical product name, brand, or chemical product identifier.

[0168] Biodegradation data may include identifiers such as the names of the digital representations of the chemical products of the degradation products, data associated with processing instructions, data associated with processing instructions may include one or more of the following: desired temperature, desired temperature range, desired microbial community and desired retention time, and biodegradation data for raw materials and / or intermediate products, and biodegradation data for raw materials and / or intermediate products may include any combination of biodegradation data disclosed in reference to the biodegradation data for chemical products. Biodegradation data may further include chemical composition data, release data and / or production data. Biodegradation data may be stored in a database owned by or associated with the data owner. Biodegradation data may be stored in a database accessible by the data owner.

[0169] In one embodiment, emission data may include, for example, data relating to greenhouse gas emissions released by the biodegradation of chemical products. Greenhouse gas emissions may include emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), combinations thereof, and additional emissions.

[0170] In one embodiment, production data may include any data related to the production of a chemical product. Production data may include chemical product production data from the production of a chemical product. Production data may include monitoring and / or control data associated with the production of a chemical product. Production data may include measurement data related to the quality of a chemical product.

[0171] In one embodiment, the data owner may include any entity that generates biodegradation data or a portion thereof. A data generation node may be connected to an entity that owns the chemical product on which the biodegradation data is generated. A data generation node may be connected to an entity that produces the chemical product on which the biodegradation data is generated. The biodegradation data may be generated by a third-party entity on behalf of the entity that owns the chemical product on which the biodegradation data is generated. The biodegradation data may be generated by a third-party entity on behalf of the entity that produces the chemical product on which the biodegradation data is generated. The data owner may be a chemical product producer. The data owner may be a raw material producer. The data owner may be an intermediate chemical product producer owner. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be accessible by the data owner. The data owner may therefore directly or indirectly own the biodegradation data or a portion thereof. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be stored in the data owner's database or a database associated with the data owner. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be stored in a database accessible by the data owner. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be stored in the data owner's database or a database under the data owner's control. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be associated with the data owner. A data owner may be the owner of biodegradable data or a portion thereof. In this sense, a data owner should be broadly interpreted as an entity authorized to access biodegradable data or a portion thereof and controlling access to biodegradable data or a portion thereof by data consumption services on a decentralized network. Access to biodegradable data or a portion thereof may be controlled by the data owner through a data provision service via a decentralized identifier and a unique association between the data owner and the biodegradable data or a portion thereof.

[0172] In one embodiment, the data consumption service may include computer executable instructions for accessing and / or processing data, such as biodegradable data, associated with a data owner.

[0173] In one embodiment, the data provision service may include computer executable instructions for providing and / or processing data, such as biodegradable data, associated with the data owner, for access and / or processing by the data consumption service.

[0174] In one embodiment, the physical entity may relate to a physical embodiment of a chemical product. In one embodiment, a processor may refer to a circuit and / or a device configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, a processor or computer processor may be configured to process basic instructions that drive a computer or system. This may be a semiconductor-based processor, a quantum processor, or any other type of processor configured to process instructions. For example, a processor may be or include a central processing unit ("CPU"). A processor may be a graphics processing unit ("GPU"), a tensor processing unit ("TPU"), a composite instruction set computing microprocessor ("CISC"), a reduced instruction set computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a very long instruction word ("VLIW") microprocessor, or a processor implementing a processor or combination of other instruction sets. The processing means may also be one or more dedicated processing units such as application-specific integrated circuits ("ASIC"), field-programmable gate arrays ("FPGA"), composite programmable logic circuits ("CPLD"), digital signal processors ("DSP"), and network processors. The methods, systems, and apparatus described herein may be implemented as software within a DSP, microcontroller, or any other subprocessor, or as hardware circuitry within an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA. The term “processor” may also refer to one or more processing units, such as a distributed system of processing units deployed across multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and should be understood that it is not limited to a single device unless otherwise specified. A processor may be considered a sub-component of a processor, which executes the methods disclosed herein in the form of threads, containers, and / or virtual machines.

[0175] In one embodiment, a computing node may refer to any device or system comprising at least one physical and tangible processor and physical and tangible memory capable of storing computer executable instructions executed by the processor. A computing node may be a device not conventionally considered a computing node, such as a portable device, production facility, sensor, monitoring system, control system, home appliance, laptop computer, desktop computer, mainframe, data center, or wearable (e.g., eyeglasses, wristwatch, etc.). The memory may be in any form and depends on the nature and form of the computing node.

[0176] In one embodiment, distributed computing can be implemented. Distributed computing can refer to any computing that utilizes multiple computing resources. Such use can be achieved through the virtualization of physical computing resources. An example of distributed computing is cloud computing. "Cloud computing" can refer to a model that enables on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage devices, applications, and services). When distributed, the cloud computing environment can be distributed internationally and / or across multiple organizations within an organization. In one embodiment, distributed computing can be implemented in a federated network.

[0177] In one embodiment, memory may refer to physical system memory which may be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination thereof. Memory may include non-volatile mass storage devices such as physical storage media. Memory may be computer-readable storage media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, non-magnetic disk storage devices such as solid-state disks, or any other physical and tangible storage media accessible by a computing system which may be used to store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures. Furthermore, memory may be a computer-readable medium (also called a transmission medium) that carries computer-executable instructions. Furthermore, upon reaching various computing system elements, program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from the transmission medium to the storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received via a network or data link may be buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., "NIC") and then finally transferred to computing system RAM and / or a less volatile storage medium in the computing system. Thus, it should be understood that storage media can be included in computing elements that also utilize (or rather exclusively utilize) transmission media.

[0178] In one embodiment, a wireless communication protocol may be used. The wireless communication protocol may include any known network technology, such as GSM® (Global System for Mobile Communications), GPRS (General-Purpose Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Advanced GSM High Speed ​​Data Rate), UMTS (Universal Mobile Communications System) / HSPA (High Speed ​​Packet Access), LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology using standards such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G. The wireless communication protocol may further include a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi).

[0179] In one embodiment, a request to provide a distributed identifier includes an owner or chemical product identifier associated with the biodegradation and / or data owner or chemical product, respectively. The owner / chemical product identifier may be a string identifier associated with the data owner name or chemical product name. The owner or chemical product identifier may be provided by a physical identifier provider such as an RFID tag or a barcode or tag such as a QR code (registered trademark). Such a physical identifier provider may be associated with a datasheet or package. In particular, if the chemical product is provided in liquid form, the physical identifier provider may be provided on the chemical product package. Such communication may be completed via ad-hoc Wi-Fi, BLE beacons and / or NFC. Communication between wallet apps may be carried out via any available communication channel, including but not limited to web servers, ad-hoc Wi-Fi, BLE beacon signals, NFC, barcode or QR code scanning, etc. Through the owner identifier, the generated chemical product passport may be associated with the biodegradation data owner by including the owner identifier. The owner identifier may be used in data transactions such as sharing or exchanging biodegradation. The owner identifier may be provided to the transaction management unit. By providing distributed identifiers and data owner identifiers to the transaction management unit or data consumption service, the tracking of data transactions can be simplified. For example, a clear name of the data owner can be associated with any transaction in the data ecosystem.

[0180] The request may further include an identifier associated with a unit that provides an authentication mechanism, such as a public-key-private-key pair, and / or a distributed identifier. This allows the request to be routed to a specific distributed identifier provider. The authentication mechanism may be obtained from an authentication data storage device, such as a vault, depending on the requested distributed identifier.

[0181] A request for a distributed identifier may be associated with a chemical production system that produces chemical products. The request for a distributed identifier may be generated by a computing system, such as the operating system of the chemical production system. The request may be triggered at a predetermined event. For example, a detector may detect a produced chemical product. Based on this recognition, a computing device, such as the operating system of the chemical production system, may generate a request for a distributed identifier. The generated request may be provided to a distributed identifier generation unit included in a device for generating a chemical product passport. In response to receiving the request, the distributed identifier generation unit may generate a distributed identifier and provide the generated distributed identifier.

[0182] In one embodiment, distributed identifiers are provided by one central node or one or more distributed nodes. Distributed identifiers generated by one central node or one or more distributed nodes may be provided to a node that generates chemical product passports and / or digital access elements, and preferably to at least one authenticated data registry node accessible by a data provision service and / or data consumption service. This enables the sharing or exchange of customized data regarding chemical products and the chemical product value chain in which the chemical products are used. In particular, the data provision service and / or data consumption service may customize the data sharing or exchange protocol based on the linking of distributed identifiers to biodegradation data. Authenticated data registry nodes may be central registry nodes such as a central file system, a centrally managed distributed database and / or a centrally managed peer-to-peer network. A centralized configuration can improve control and standardization through the central node. Authenticated data registry nodes may be distributed registries such as distributed ledgers, distributed file systems, distributed databases and / or peer-to-peer networks. A distributed configuration allows for more efficient use of computing resources and enhances control by data owners. In addition, the distributed configuration enhances system reliability and flexibility because it is independent of a central management node.

[0183] In one embodiment, the generation of a chemical product passport includes providing a distributed identifier associated with a physical entity of a chemical product. In this regard, the physical entity may be associated with a physical chemical product associated with the distributed identifier. The distributed identifier may be associated with the physical entity of a chemical product to which biodegradation data or a chemical product passport is associated. For example, the distributed identifier may be associated with a physical entity of a chemical product. The distributed identifier may be associated with a chemical product via a physical identifier. The physical identifier may include or correspond to an identifier element contained within or attached to the chemical product. The physical identifier may, for example, refer to a chemical product identifier. The identifier element may include passive or active elements such as a barcode, QR code, embossed code, or RFID tag. The distributed identifier may be assigned to a physical identifier. Assignment may include generating a code in which the provided distributed identifier is embedded. Assignment may include seeking a correlation between the provided distributed identifier and the physical identifier of the chemical product. For example, the identifier element may be physically attached to or contained within the chemical product, and the identifier element may include or correspond to a physical identifier. The determination or acquisition of a physical identifier can be considered to trigger the provision of a distributed identifier, and possibly the subsequent assignment of a physical identifier to a distributed identifier. A distributed identifier can be associated with a physical entity to which a chemical product is supplied and to which biodegradation data is associated. For example, a distributed identifier can be associated with a physical entity to which a chemical product is attached. A distributed identifier can be associated with two or more physical entities to which a chemical product is supplied and to which biodegradation data is associated. By associating distributed identifiers with different physical entity stages within the chemical product value chain, chemical products can be virtually tracked within the chemical product value chain. In this way, chemical products can be tracked, for example, to the end of their lifespan, along with their associated biodegradation data.

[0184] In one embodiment, the chemical product passport includes one or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier and biodegradable data or a portion thereof. The authentication mechanisms may be directly or indirectly associated with the data related to the distributed identifier and biodegradable data. In an example of an indirect relationship, the authentication mechanism may be associated with a certificate mechanism. For example, when access is requested by a data consumption service, a dynamic access token may be generated based on the certificate mechanism. Using such a dynamic access token, a peer-to-peer communication channel may be opened between the data consumption service and the data provision service associated with the chemical product passport. The authentication mechanisms may include tokens such as private and public key infrastructure, certificate mechanisms, or biometric mechanisms such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition. One common public key certificate is, for example, an X.509 certificate. Through the authentication mechanisms, access by data consumption services can be controlled in a secure manner, and the integrity of the data provision service can be guaranteed. This enables more reliable, controlled, and secure data exchange or sharing.

[0185] One or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier generated by one central node or one or more distributed nodes may be provided to the node generating the chemical product passport and to at least one distributed authentication data registry accessible, preferably by a data provision service and / or data consumption service. The authentication data registry may be a central registry such as a central file system, a centrally managed distributed database and / or a centrally managed peer-to-peer network. A central configuration allows for greater control and standardization via a central node. The authentication data registry may be a distributed registry such as a distributed ledger, a distributed file system, a distributed database and / or a peer-to-peer network. A distributed configuration allows for more efficient use of computing resources and enhanced control by the data owner.

[0186] In one embodiment, the chemical product passport is associated with or includes one or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data. The authentication mechanisms may include authentication rules that include data transaction instructions or data transaction protocols, such as data usage policies, smart data contracts, or more complex data processing instructions associated with data provision services and / or data consumption services. Through the authentication mechanisms, access to and use of biodegradation data or parts thereof by data consumption services can be controlled in a secure manner. One or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier generated by one central node or one or more distributed nodes may be provided to nodes that generate or process the chemical product passport or to nodes that access biodegradation data or parts thereof. Additionally or alternatively, one or more authentication mechanisms may preferably be provided to at least one central or distributed authentication data registry accessible by data provision services and / or data consumption services.

[0187] In one embodiment, one or more authentication mechanisms associated with a distributed identifier generated by one or more distributed nodes may be provided to a node that generates or processes chemical product passports and to at least one of a central file system, a centrally managed distributed database, a centrally managed peer-to-peer network, a distributed ledger, a distributed file system, a distributed database, and / or a peer-to-peer network, preferably accessible by a data provision service and / or data consumption service.

[0188] In one embodiment, data related to biodegradation data includes biodegradation data or a portion thereof. In one embodiment, data related to biodegradation data includes one or more digital representations that point to biodegradation data or a portion thereof. In this context, “points to” means any network representation or address suitable for accessing biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Thus, a digital representation may be considered access data, and a chemical product passport may represent a digital data structure that allows a third party to access biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Data related to biodegradation data may include multiple digital representations that point to different parts of biodegradation. Data related to biodegradation data may include multiple digital representations that point to different parts of biodegradation. Such different parts may overlap at some data points. A digital representation may include an access point to biodegradation data or a portion thereof, a link to biodegradation data or a portion thereof, an endpoint for accessing biodegradation data or a portion thereof, or a service endpoint for accessing biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Thus, biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be maintained and controlled by the data owner. Because access can be provided through a representation of an access point, eliminating the need to verify and control access to multiple distributed data points, data validation, integrity checks, or quality checks and access control are simplified. Biodegradable data or parts thereof may be stored in the data owner's database or a database associated with the data owner. Biodegradable data or parts thereof may be stored in a database accessible by the data owner. A digital representation pointing to biodegradable data or parts thereof may be associated with the data owner or any such database accessible by the data owner, or may be associated with or related to it. For enhanced security, a digital representation pointing to biodegradable data or parts thereof may be associated with the data owner or indirectly related to any such database accessible by the data owner.

[0189] Digital representations can be used in combination with distributed identifiers to access biodegradable data or parts thereof. For example, a distributed identifier and its corresponding digital representation can be used by a data consumption service to request biodegradable data or parts thereof. Data related to biodegradable data, such as a distributed identifier (e.g., DID), a digital representation pointing to the biodegradable data or parts thereof, and a public key, can be associated with or contain a DID document or part thereof, which can correspond to a DID document, and may be propagated on a distributed ledger. The DID document or part thereof can be used to retrieve the digital representation using the DID, as will be described later.

[0190] In one embodiment, biodegradation data or a portion thereof may include the producer of the chemical product, the chemical product identifier, data on the chemicals used in the production of the chemical product, chemical product emission data, production data, or a combination thereof. Data related to the properties of the chemical product and production data may include the data described above. Biodegradation data may be updated using data associated with subsequent production steps of the chemical product, as described above. Biodegradation data associated with subsequent production of the chemical product may be added to existing biodegradation data, for example, using a distributed identifier.

[0191] In one embodiment, biodegradation data may comprise one or more classes of biodegradation data. At least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with or include chemical product data required by regulations or regulatory data for chemical substances, such as labeling information and / or regulatory authority approval of chemical substances used in the production of a chemical product. At least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with data relating to the habitat of the chemical product of the biodegradation data, particularly the intended habitat. At least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with data associated with biodegradability testing. At least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with processing instructions, and at least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with recipe data.

[0192] Emission data and / or production data may be associated with two or more raw materials or chemical products used in the production of a chemical product.

[0193] Access to biodegradation data may be controlled on a class basis. At least one class of biodegradation data may be associated with or include access-restricted biodegradation data associated with the physical entity of a chemical product. For example, access to emission data, production data, composition, or combinations thereof of chemicals used in the production of a chemical product may be restricted. Such access restrictions may be imposed by an authentication body. For example, an authentication body may include rules specifying which data consumption services are permitted to access under what conditions. At least one class of biodegradation data may include unrestricted biodegradation data associated with the physical entity of a chemical product. For example, labeling information and / or biodegradation data associated with regulatory authority approval of chemicals used in the production of a chemical product may be unrestricted or not restricted in access. Such access may be permitted by an authentication body. For example, an authentication body may include rules specifying that certain regulatory data for a chemical product is accessible. Classes of biodegradation data may include one or more of the following: recipe data, habitat data, processing data, intended habitat data, unintended habitat data, operation data, and test data.

[0194] In one embodiment, the chemical product passport further includes a distributed identifier associated with the chemicals used in the production of the chemical product and / or a distributed identifier associated with the production of the chemical product (hereinafter referred to as the second distributed identifier). The second distributed identifier may be included in conjunction with the relationship between the distributed identifier associated with the chemical product and the distributed identifiers of the chemicals used in the production of the chemical product and / or the distributed identifiers associated with the production of the chemical product. The second distributed identifier may be used to generate a concatenation of the distributed identifier of the chemical product passport (hereinafter referred to as the first distributed identifier) ​​according to a relational expression in which the first digital identifier is associated with the second identifier. The relational expression may be associated with the relationship between the chemical product and each chemical used in its production. The relational expression may specify that a chemical can be used in the production of the chemical product and / or that the chemical product can be produced by using a chemical. One or more hash values ​​may be generated based on the relational expression. The hash value may be generated based on the concatenation of distributed identifiers. The hash value may be generated for the concatenation of distributed identifiers. The hash value may represent the concatenation of distributed identifiers. Hash values ​​can be generated based on data associated with a first distributed identifier and a second distributed identifier. Hash values ​​can also be generated based on a combined dataset associated with the first distributed identifier and the second distributed identifier. By concatenating distributed identifiers associated with chemicals used in the production of a chemical product, it is possible to virtually track and trace the chemicals involved in the production of the chemical product. This allows distributed identifiers associated with a chemical product to be associated with distributed identifiers associated with chemicals used in the production of the chemical product. Therefore, the biodegradability relationship between a chemical product and the chemicals used in its production can be reflected in the chemical product passport and / or digital access elements.

[0195] A request to provide a distributed identifier may include a second identifier. A request to provide a distributed identifier may include biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Based on the said biodegradation data or a portion thereof, data associated with chemicals that produce chemical products and / or data associated with the production of chemical products may be determined and used to obtain each second distributed identifier.

[0196] Dispersed identifiers associated with chemicals used in the production of chemical products may be linked to chemical data indicating whether the chemical product is virgin or recycled, its environmental impact, and / or the origin of the chemical. Dispersed identifiers associated with chemicals may be determined based on physical identifiers attached to the packaging of the chemical. Chemicals may be raw materials containing virgin or recycled materials. Raw materials may include polymers, particularly monomers and chain extenders used in the production of biodegradable polymers as described above. Chemicals may be intermediate products manufactured from raw materials and / or other intermediate products. Intermediate chemical products may include polymer antioxidants and accelerators.

[0197] Chemical substances can be produced from raw materials and / or intermediate products. Chemical substances can be used directly or indirectly in the manufacture of chemical substances. That is, a portion of a chemical substance may be used in the manufacture of one or more intermediate products, and then chemical products may be manufactured based on these intermediate products.

[0198] A chemical product from one process may be a raw material, input substance, or chemical substance for a further production process.

[0199] Brief explanation of the drawing The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings and in this disclosure refer to the same or similar elements, components and / or parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0200] [Figure 1] This diagram outlines the material and data flows within the production network. [Figure 2]The chemical products disclosed herein are outlined below. [Figure 3] Here is an example of a chemical product ecosystem. [Figure 4] This example illustrates chemical production controlled by an operating system that includes equipment for generating chemical product passports. [Figure 5] This shows an example of a production system that generates chemical products associated with a chemical product passport. [Figure 6A] An example of a method or apparatus for providing data related to the production of chemical products, the use of chemical products, and the handling of chemical products at the end of their lifespan across the chemical product value chain via a distributed network is schematically shown. [Figure 6B] An example of a method or apparatus for providing data related to the production of chemical products, the use of chemical products, and the handling of chemical products at the end of their lifespan across the chemical product value chain via a distributed network is schematically shown. [Figure 7] This document provides an exemplary method for generating a chemical product passport. [Figure 8] This document provides an exemplary system and related methods for generating a chemical product passport associated with a manufactured chemical product and granting access to the generated chemical product passport. [Figure 9] This document illustrates an exemplary method of using a chemical product passport to further process biodegradation data associated with it. [Figure 10A] An example of an authentication protocol is shown. [Figure 10B] An example of an authentication protocol is shown. [Figure 11] This provides an example of how to authenticate access to biodegradation data. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates how access to chemical product passports associated with chemical products is permitted via a data provision service associated with the data owner, using a data consumption service associated with the data user. [Figure 13] Examples of ID-based owner data, ID-based chemical product passport data, and decentralized identification infrastructure are shown. [Figure 14] This document provides an example of a chemical product passport that includes certificate-based data, ID-based chemical product passport data, and a decentralized identification infrastructure. [Figure 15A] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 15B] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 16A] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 16B] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 17A] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 17B] This shows different exemplary configurations of chemical product passports associated with distributed identifiers. [Figure 18A] Examples of relational expressions that can be used to generate concatenations are shown. [Figure 18B] Examples of relational expressions that can be used to generate concatenations are shown. [Figure 19A] This provides a schematic overview of the biodegradation of chemical products under various conditions. [Figure 19B] This provides a schematic overview of the biodegradation of chemical products under various conditions. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0201] Detailed explanation The following embodiments are merely examples of implementing the methods, apparatus, systems, and chemical product passports disclosed herein and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

[0202] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a material chain network 100, which includes material stakeholders 101.1 to 6 connected via a distributed network 102 having distributed network nodes 103.1 to 6 associated with material stakeholders 101.1 to 6.

[0203] A materials chain network may include one or more linear materials chains. A linear materials chain may include a materials supply chain in which materials are produced by a materials producer 101.1 and used in the production of an end product by an original equipment manufacturer 101.3 (OEM). A linear materials chain may include a materials waste chain in which the produced end product is recovered, separated and biodegraded and passed on to a recycling system operator 101.6, and the biodegraded chemicals are used to produce soil for sale, for example, agricultural use. A materials chain may include one or more supply and / or waste chains. A materials chain may include one or more connected supply and / or waste chains. One or more linear materials chains may be connected to a materials chain network 100.

[0204] A materials chain network may include the production, use, and / or recycling of physical materials and products. Products may be materials, chemical products, intermediate chemical products, components, component assemblies, final products, end-of-life products, biodegradable products, and biodegradable final products.

[0205] A substance or chemical product may include chemicals that can be used in the production of compounds, chemical components, chemical molecules, chemical compositions, chemical mixtures, chemical formulations, intermediate chemical products, or individual products. A chemical or product flow may include non-individual substance flows that can be further processed to produce individual products or elements. A chemical or product flow may include liquids, pellets, beets, powders, etc. An individual product may refer to an individual component, an individual of an individual component, a final product, a product at the end of its lifespan, a recycled product, or a recycled individual product. A recycled product may refer to mechanically or chemically recycled material. A recycled product or recycled material flow may include non-individual substance flows that can be further processed to produce new substances or chemical products. A recycled product or recycled material flow may include liquids, pellets, beets, powders, etc.

[0206] The term "final product" can refer to a product that is the result of a materials supply chain. The term "final product" can also refer to a product used by the end-user. "End-of-Life (EOL) product" can refer to a product that has been used by the end-user. "End-of-Life product" can refer to a product that no longer meets the requirements for use. "End-of-Life product" can refer to a product that is no longer needed. "End-of-Life product" can refer to a product that has been discarded as waste, such as plastic waste. "Recycled product" can refer to any product produced using "end-of-life product." "Recycled product" can also refer to a new product produced using "end-of-life product."

[0207] The material chain network 100 shown in Figure 1 may include multiple stakeholders 101.1 to 6 that form the material chain network 100. The material chain network 100 may include all stages of the material, from the production of the material to the reuse of the material through its use. The material may thus flow in a closed loop from the production of a composition to the final product through use and reuse. Reuse may include changing the purpose of an end-of-life product, regenerating an end-of-life product, and / or recycling an end-of-life product to resupply the recycled product to raw material production.

[0208] The stakeholders in the material chain network 101.1-6 may be associated with the production and / or recycling of any substance or product. Stakeholders in the material chain network 100 may include chemical producers 101.1, chemical users 101.2, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) 101.3, end-of-life product users 101.4, EOL product collectors and / or sorters 101.5, waste management system operators 101.6, and combinations thereof. Stakeholders may include various other stakeholders in the material chain not shown in Figure 1.

[0209] The parties 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100 may be connected via material flows 104. A material flow 104 may correspond to a product or material flow from one party 101.1-6 of the material chain network to a downstream party 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100. A material flow 104 may refer to a continuous or discontinuous flow of products or raw materials. A product or material flow may include any means of transport suitable for transporting products from one party 101.1-6 to another downstream party 101.1-6. Means of transport may include pipes, containers, barrels, packaging, etc. A material flow 104 may be a unidirectional flow, such as a directed material flow 104. A material flow 104 may flow from an upstream party 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100 to a downstream party 101.1-6, for example, a material flow 104 from a waste management system operator 101.6 to a chemical product producer 101.1. The material flow may include a reverse material flow 104 from downstream stakeholders 101.1-6 to upstream stakeholders 101.1-6 in the material chain network 100. For example, material may flow from a chemical product user 101.2 to a chemical product producer 101.1 if, for example, a chemical product requires further processing because it does not meet biodegradability specifications (104).

[0210] The input material flow 106 may be associated with raw materials used in the production of a substance or chemical product, such as virgin raw materials. Virgin raw materials may be unused raw materials that have not undergone any processing other than their production. The material flow 106 may further include recycled materials. Recycled materials may be made from recyclable waste materials. Unused and recycled materials may be provided to chemical producers who produce substances, chemical products and / or intermediate chemical products (not shown).

[0211] The material chain network 100 shown in Figure 1 is based on an example of a biodegradable plastic material. Examples of plastic materials include synthetic materials made from a wide range of organic polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl carbon, polyamide, and polyurethane. The material stakeholders may include monomer and / or polymer producers 101.1, monomer and / or polymer users such as compounders, molders or converters 101.2, original brand manufacturers such as polymer-containing product producers 101.3, users of polymer-containing products such as retailers or consumers 101.4, waste collectors and / or sorters 101.5, and waste management system operators 101.6.

[0212] Monomers and / or polymers may be produced by chemical producers. Monomers and / or polymers may be supplied to polymer users such as compounders, molders and / or converters. Monomers and / or polymers may be compounded, molded and / or converted. Compounded, molded and / or converted polymers may be supplied to polymer-containing product producers (original equipment manufacturers - OEMs). Polymer-containing products or articles may be produced using compounded, molded and / or converted polymers. Polymer-containing products or articles may be supplied to users of polymer-containing products. Polymer-containing products or articles may be used by users. At the end of their lifespan, polymer-containing products or articles may be disposed of by users. Disposed polymer-containing products or articles may be supplied to plastic waste collectors and / or sorters. Disposed polymer-containing products or articles may be recovered within plastic waste flows. Plastic waste flows may be sorted. Plastic waste flows may be supplied to sorters who sort out fragments of polymer-containing products or articles that are recycled or biodegradable. Separated fragments of polymer-containing products or articles may be provided to recyclers for recycling polymer-containing product fragments. The recycled fragments may be provided to chemical producers for producing new monomers and / or polymers and thus closing the material chain network 100.

[0213] In addition to connections through material flow 104, material stakeholders 101.1-6 of the circulating material chain network 100 may be connected through data flow 105 via a decentralized network 102. The decentralized network 102 may include one or more decentralized network nodes 103.1-6 associated with material stakeholders 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100. In a decentralized or non-centralized network 102, the decentralized network nodes 103.1-6 do not exclusively depend on a central network node, as opposed to a centralized network. In other words, no single entity is the sole authority over the network. The decentralized network 102 may include decentralized and central network nodes. The decentralized network 102 may include a central network node that can control and / or monitor the decentralized network nodes 103.1-6. For example, the central network node may provide authentication information that enables at least two decentralized network nodes 103.1-6 to establish peer-to-peer communication channels between each of the decentralized network nodes 103.1-6.

[0214] Network nodes 103.1-6 may be computing nodes. Distributed network nodes 103.1-6 may be configured to perform peer-to-peer data transactions, as indicated by arrow 105 which shows the data flow.

[0215] Distributed network nodes 103.1 to 103.6 may be configured as data consuming and / or providing network nodes. Distributed network nodes 103.1 to 103.6 may be configured to provide data to other network nodes in the distributed network 102 and / or to consume data from other nodes in the distributed network 102. For example, distributed network nodes 103.1 and 103.3 associated with monomer and / or polymer producers 101.1 or polymer-containing product producers 101.3 may be configured to provide chemical production data associated with polymer properties to downstream parties such as plastic waste collectors or sorters 101.5 or recycling operators 101.6. Furthermore, distributed network nodes 103.5 and 103.6 associated with plastic waste collectors or sorters 101.5 or waste management system operators 101.6 may be configured to access data from network nodes 103.1 to 103.5 associated with upstream parties such as monomer and / or polymer producers 101.1 or polymer-containing product producers 101.3. In particular, waste management system operators may be configured to access biodegradation data.

[0216] The distributed network nodes 103.1-6 may include computer executable instructions configured to provide, consume, and / or process data such as chemical product data associated with monomers, polymers, polymer-containing products, or articles produced or processed within the material chain network 100. A network node may operate a data provision service configured to provide data to other distributed network nodes 103.1-6 of the distributed network 102. Distributed network nodes 103.1-6 configured to provide data may be associated with data owners or data generation nodes associated with substances or products produced or processed within the material chain network 100. The distributed network nodes 103.1-6 may be connected to one or more dedicated data storage devices that store data associated with substances or products produced or processed within the material chain network 100 (see, for example, Figure 4). The dedicated data storage devices may be under the control of data owners or data generation nodes associated with substances or products produced or processed within the material chain network 100. The data owners may be the respective stakeholders 101.1 to 6 in the material chain network 100 to which the data generation nodes 103.1 to 6 are associated. The data generation nodes 103.1 to 6 may have access to dedicated data storage devices. Access to data associated with substances or products produced or processed within the material chain network 100 may, therefore, be under the control of the data owner to which each distributed network node 103.1 to 6 is associated. This allows for complete control by the data owner over the data associated with substances or products produced or processed within the material chain network 100. At the same time, this enables the sharing of data associated with substances or products produced or processed under controlled conditions within the material chain network 100, for example, by using appropriate protocols including authorization or authentication mechanisms or schemes for establishing peer-to-peer communication.

[0217] Distributed network nodes 103.1-6 configured to consume data may include computer executable instructions for accessing and / or processing data within the distributed network 102, such as data provided by distributed data-providing network nodes 103.1-6, associated with substances produced or processed within the material chain network 100. Distributed data consumption network nodes 103.1-6 may be controlled or owned by, or associated with, any upstream or downstream party in the material chain network 100. For example, distributed data consumption network node 103.4 may be associated with a polymer-containing product user 101.4 to allow access to monomer and / or polymer data associated with monomer and / or polymers supplied by the monomer and / or polymer producer via a distributed data-providing network node 103.1 associated with the monomer and / or polymer producer 101.1.

[0218] The distributed network 102 may include further distributed network nodes 103.1-6. These further distributed network nodes 103.1-6 do not need to be associated with further stakeholders of the material chain network 100. The further nodes may be distributed infrastructure service nodes (not shown in Figure 1). The distributed infrastructure service nodes may provide services to the distributed network stakeholders nodes 103.1-6, such as verifying the identity information of the distributed network stakeholders nodes 103.1-6, before performing data exchange. The distributed network stakeholders nodes 103.1-6 may be associated with or include a certificate, such as an X.509 certificate. The certificate may be associated with an identity information management unit that includes, for example, a certificate issuance service and / or a dynamic provisioning service that provides dynamic attribute tokens (e.g., OAuth access tokens). Thus, the distributed network nodes 103.1-6 may be associated with or connected to a unique identifier embedded in the X.509 certificate that identifies each of the distributed network nodes 103.1-6. The information required for certificate verification may be provided through an authentication registry associated with the certificate issuing service and / or dynamic provisioning service. For example, in the April 2019 version 3.0 of the IDSA Reference Architecture Model, identity information is verified using a distributed data provisioning network node associated with the data owner, a certificate issuing authority (CA), a dynamic attribute provisioning service (DAPS), and a distributed data consumption network node associated with the data consumption unit before data exchange (not shown) takes place.

[0219] Substances or products produced by stakeholders 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100 may be associated with substance or product data related to the characteristics of the substance or product produced by stakeholders 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100. The substance or product data may be provided for access by distributed data provision network nodes 103.1-6 associated with the substance or product producers. Access to the substance or product data may be controlled by the distributed data provision network nodes 103.1-6. The substance or product data may also be accessed by distributed data consumption network nodes 103.1-6 associated with any further stakeholders 101.1-6 of the material chain network 100, such as any upstream or downstream stakeholders 101.1-6.

[0220] The data flow 105 between distributed network nodes 103.1 to 6 may be directly or indirectly associated with the material flows 104 and 106 between stakeholders 101.1 to 6 of the material chain network 100. For example, the data flow 105 may be directly associated with the material flow 104 if data associated with a chemical product provided from a chemical product producer 101.1 to a chemical product user 101.2 is accessed by distributed data consumption network nodes 103.1 to 6 associated with the chemical product user 101.2. For example, the data flow 105 may be indirectly associated with the material flows 104 and 106 if data associated with a chemical product produced by a chemical product producer 101.1 is accessed by distributed data consumption network nodes 103.1 to 6 associated with a waste management system operator 101.6.

[0221] Data transactions on distributed network nodes 103.1-6 can be based on distributed identifiers associated with the data of the substance or product being accessed. Distributed identifiers can be associated with the physical entity of the substance or product. Distributed identifiers can be uniquely associated with the physical entity of the substance or product. Distributed identifiers can uniquely identify the substance or product within the distributed network 102. Distributed identifiers can be associated with further distributed identifiers, such as the distributed identifier of the substance or product used in the production of the final product. This allows for tracking the substance or product used in the production of the final product. Distributed identifiers can be included in a substance passport associated with the substance or product, as will be explained in more detail in relation to Figure 4.

[0222] Figures 2A and 2B schematically illustrate an example of a biodegradable polymer 202. In this example, the biodegradable chemical product may be a container containing a biodegradable laminate film. Container 202 serves only as an example and should not be considered limiting to the present invention. Embodiments of the same principles, methods, and apparatus apply to other biodegradable chemical products. Biodegradable chemical products may be produced by producers in the biodegradable material production chain described with reference to Figure 1, for example, polymer-containing product producers 101.3. Polymer-containing product producers may include the operating systems disclosed with reference to Figure 4.

[0223] Figure 2B shows an exemplary structure of the biodegradable chemical product 202. The biodegradable chemical product may include a biodegradable laminate film 209.

[0224] The biodegradable chemical product 102 may include a biodegradable base material 209A. The biodegradable base material 209A may include paper products. The paper products may include paper and cardboard.

[0225] The fibers suitable for the production of the aforementioned paper products are all commonly used types, such as mechanical pulp, bleached and unbleached cellulose, paper pulp derived from all annual plants, and recycled paper (in a damaged state, whether coated or uncoated). The aforementioned fibers can be used alone or in any mixture to form pulp for paper products. The term mechanical pulp includes zB wood chips, thermomechanical pulp (TMP), chemical thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), compressed wood chips, semi-chemical pulp, high-yield chemical pulp, and refined mechanical pulp (RMP). Examples of suitable chemical pulps include sulfuric acid pulp, sulfite pulp, and soda pulp. Examples of annual plants suitable for paper pulp production include rice, wheat, sugarcane, and kenaf.

[0226] The biodegradable laminate film 109 may further include a layer of biodegradable adhesive 209B. The biodegradable adhesive layer may include a biodegradable polyurethane adhesive or a biodegradable acrylate adhesive. The adhesive layer is suitable for bonding a biodegradable polymer foil 209C to a biodegradable substrate 209A.

[0227] The biodegradable polymer foil 109C may contain aliphatic polyester and / or aliphatic-aromatic polyester.

[0228] In this example, the biodegradable chemical product includes an optional biodegradable oxygen and aroma barrier 209D. The oxygen and aroma barrier may include polyglycolic acid (PGA), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH).

[0229] Biodegradable chemical product 202 can be produced by folding sheets of biodegradable laminate film.

[0230] The produced biodegradable product 202 may be tagged with an identifier element 203. Biodegradable chemical products may be bottle 404.

[0231] The identifier element 203 may include a machine-readable code that stores a physical material identifier of the biodegradable chemical product 202. For example, the identifier element 203 may include a printed one- or two-dimensional code such as a barcode, QR code, or other code. The identifier element 203 may include an array of black and white squares that stores at least one physical material identifier of one or more insulation or packaging materials 202. Furthermore, for example, the identifier element 203 may include an electronic tag such as an RFID tag that stores a physical material identifier of the biodegradable chemical product 202. The physical material identifier and any information attached to such identifiers can be accessed through a code reader such as a camera that scans QR codes or a mobile phone or other device having an RFID reader that reads RFID tags.

[0232] Biodegradable chemical products 202 may include, for example, dry foods such as coffee, tea, powdered soup, and powdered sauce; liquids such as cosmetics, detergents, and beverages; laminated tubes, paper shopping bags, laminated paper and co-extruded products for ice cream; confectionery (e.g., chocolate and muesli bars); and paper adhesive tapes; paper cups, yogurt cups; pre-cooked meal trays; packaged cardboard (cans, barrels); wettable cardboard for outer packaging (wine bottles, food); coated cardboard fruit boxes; fast food plates; bracket shells; liquid beverage containers and cartons such as detergents and cleaning agents; cartons for frozen products; ice cream packaging (e.g., sundaes, packaging materials), (e.g., B. sundaes, packaging materials for conical ice cream cones); paper labels; and paper bags for flower pots and plant pots.

[0233] These products are intended for end consumers. It is desirable to biodegrade biodegradable chemical products to avoid incineration or landfill.

[0234] Figure 3 shows an example of a chemical product ecosystem. Chemical product 404 may be a biodegradable chemical product, which in this example is bottle 404, as described with reference to Figure 2. Step 301 in the chemical product ecosystem may include the production of chemicals, particularly biodegradable chemicals in chemical product production 303. Chemicals may be produced in one or more production steps. Chemical product production may be connected to an operating system (see, for example, Figure 4). The operating system may control the production of chemical products.

[0235] A chemical substance may be produced from one or more input substances 302, which may include, for example, chemical raw materials or intermediate chemical products. Examples of chemical raw materials include monomers and chain extenders, biodegradable polymers, and in particular initiators used in the production of biodegradable polymers as described above. Intermediate chemical products may include polymer antioxidants, accelerators, and antioxidants. The chemical substance 302 may be supplied from one or more chemical suppliers, for example, as described with reference to Figure 6A.

[0236] Further steps along the value chain are shown in Figure 3. The chemicals produced in step 301 may be used as inputs to the production of intermediates in step 307. The intermediates may then be used as inputs to the production of the final product, which produces the chemical product 404. The intermediate chemicals may be supplied from one or more chemical suppliers, as described, for example, with reference to Figure 6A.

[0237] The produced chemical products may be supplied from chemical production 304 to retailers. The produced chemical products may also be supplied from chemical production 304 to refiners, who may further process the chemical products. This may alter the biodegradation data.

[0238] Use phase 308 may include the use of a chemical product, in this example, a bottle. Use may include filling the bottle with liquid.

[0239] The chemical product value chain may further include the collection of used chemical products 310 that have reached the end of their lifespan. Used chemical products that have reached the end of their lifespan can be collected at the return port of waste collectors. Used chemical products that have reached the end of their lifespan can be provided to the return port by the end - customer. Used chemical products that have reached the end of their lifespan can be provided to the return port by retailers (not shown). Used chemical products that have reached the end of their lifespan can be collected from the end - customer and / or retailer and stored at the return port. The return port can be an initial collection center. The initial collection center can provide the collected used chemical products that have reached the end of their lifespan to a central return port. The return port can be a central return port.

[0240] The collected chemical products can be inspected to determine further handling. Further handling can depend on characteristics such as the condition of the chemical product, the type of chemical substances, years of use, size, etc. and / or the presence of harmful chemical substances. In particular, further handling can depend on the biodegradation data of the chemical product. The collected chemical products can be introduced into a recycling stream (not shown).

[0241] The collected chemical products can be provided to an incineration facility or discarded in a landfill. In one example, chemical products can be sorted according to the intended biodegradation habitat and provided to the corresponding waste management facility. The intended habitat of the bottle in this example can be compost. As a result, the bottle can be provided to the waste management facility for composting.

[0242] In an advantageous embodiment, rather than incinerating and / or discarding in a landfill, the chemical product value chain may further include waste management 312 for the biodegradation of used chemical products. The biodegradation conditions can be based on the biodegradation data provided with the polymer through the chemical product passport. In this case, the biodegradation data can include data associated with processing instructions that can include at least one of a desired temperature, a desired temperature range, a desired microbial community, and a desired holding time.

[0243] FIG. 4 shows an example of chemical product production 304 that produces one or more chemical products 404 from one or more incoming substances 302 in relation to an operating system 402 that includes an apparatus for generating a chemical product passport for chemical products. The operating system 402 can be used for the operation of chemical product production 304, for example, by managing different production chains present within the chemical product production. Chemical product production 304 can produce chemical products from one or more chemical substances, for example, by reacting one or more chemical substances and / or physically treating one or more chemical products. The chemical substances can include the raw materials described with reference to FIG. 3. The chemical substances can include the intermediate products described with reference to FIG. 3. The chemical products can be supplied to chemical product production 304 from one or more suppliers, such as a chemical company that produces the chemical substances, as described with reference to FIG. 6A.

[0244] To produce one or more chemical products 404, different substances 302 (hereinafter also referred to as incoming substances 302) can be provided as physical inputs from a substance provider or supplier. The physical inputs to chemical product production 304 can include chemical substances such as chemical raw materials, intermediate products, or combinations thereof. The raw materials can be virgin or recycled raw materials, as described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0245] Chemical product production 304 can convert the incoming substances 302 into one or more chemical products 404 exiting from chemical product production 304 by chemical and / or physical transformation. The transformation can be carried out via intermediate products or elements. The transformation can be a chemical reaction or any other arbitrary processing step. The incoming substances 302 can be supplied to chemical product production 304 at any input point. The incoming substances 302 can be supplied to chemical product production 304 at the start of chemical product production 304. The incoming substances can be considered to be input into chemical product production 304.

[0246] Chemical product production 304 may include multiple production steps. The production steps included in chemical product production 304 may be defined by the system boundary of chemical product production 304. The system boundary may be defined by the location or control of the production process. The system boundary may be defined by the location of chemical product production 304. 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 that can be individually controlled by multiple entities.

[0247] The operating system 402 of the chemical product production 304 may monitor and / or control the chemical product production 304 based on operating parameters associated with different processes carried out by the chemical product production 304. One process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the supply of incoming materials or the release of produced chemical products. Another process step to be monitored and / or controlled may be the generation of chemical product passports associated with chemical products produced by the chemical product production 304 using a device for generating chemical product passports, such as the device related to Figure 8. The operating system 402 may include such a device for generating chemical product passports. The operating system 402 may be configured to generate chemical product passports associated with chemical products produced by the chemical product production 304, as described, for example, with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The operating system 402 may be communicatively coupled with such a device for generating chemical product passports, for example, the operating system 402 and the device for generating chemical product passports may be separate units.

[0248] The operating system 402 may further include a request unit. The operating system may be communicatively coupled to such a request unit. The request unit may be configured to generate requests for generating a chemical product passport, for example, as described with reference to Figure 8.

[0249] The operating system 402 may further include an ID assignment unit. The operating system may be communicatively coupled to such an ID assignment unit. The ID assignment unit may be configured to assign distributed identifiers and related information contained in a chemical product passport to a physical identifier of a produced chemical product, as described, for example, with reference to Figures 5 and 8. For example, the ID assignment unit may generate a physical identifier with an embedded distributed identifier and provide the physical identifier to a labeling device attached to the produced chemical product.

[0250] The ID assignment unit, request unit, and / or apparatus for generating chemical product passports may be configured as a distributed service or application executed over a distributed network.

[0251] Figure 4 illustrates the generation of a request to generate a chemical product passport associated with chemical product 404, in relation to input material 302, final product 404, and operating system 402. However, the generation of each product passport may also be requested at each step of the process chain described with reference to Figure 3.

[0252] Figure 5 shows an example of providing chemical products associated with a chemical product passport. Chemical products can be produced by a chemical product production 304, including an operating system 402, as described with reference to Figure 4, for example.

[0253] Intermediate products and / or raw materials may be provided as physical inputs for the production of chemical products. Intermediate products may include precursor materials. Precursor materials and raw materials may include unused or recycled materials. Distributed identifiers may be associated with raw materials. Distributed identifiers may be associated with raw material passports for raw materials that may be generated as described below with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0254] Distributed identifiers may be associated with raw material biodegradation data, which may include data associated with multiple properties of the raw materials used in the production of the chemical product or at least one property related to the use of chemicals used in the production of the chemical product, and chemical product identifiers, such as chemical product names, may include data associated with test methods, particularly standard test methods. Data associated with test methods may be associated with one or more elements of the following group of test methods. DIN EN ISO 17556;December 2012,OECD 301;July 1992,ASTM D 5338,Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions,September 1998,ASTM D 6002,Standard Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics, October 1996, ASTM D 6400, Standard Specification for Compostable Plastic, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 13432, Verpackungen,December 2000,DIN EN ISO 11734, Biogasproduktion, November 1998,DIN V 54900-1 Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 1:Chemische Pruefung,Oktober 1998,DIN V 54900-2,Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 2:Pruefung auf vollstaendige Abbaubarkeit von Kunststoffen in Laborversuchen,September 1998,DIN V 54900-3,Pruefung der Kompostierbarkeit von Kunststoffen-Teil 3. Determination of Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Polymers - Part 4: Testing of Oxygen Demand of Compost, January 1997, ISO 14851, Determination of Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in Aqueous Media - Method by Measurement of Oxygen Demand in a Sealed Respirator, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 14852, Determination of Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability of Plastic Materials in Aqueous Media - Method by Analysis of Generated Carbon Dioxide, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 14855, Determination of Ultimate Aerobic Biodegradability and Degradability of Plastic Materials under Controlled Composting Conditions - Method by Analysis of Generated Carbon Dioxide, May 1999, ISO / DIS 14853, Determination of Ultimate Anaerobic Biodegradability of Plastics in Aqueous Systems - Method by Measurement of Biogas Generation, April 1999 and ISO / DIS 15985, Determination of Ultimate Anaerobic Biodegradability and Degradability of Plastics under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions - Method by Analysis of Released Biogas, April 1999.

[0255] Raw material biodegradation data may include data related to the biodegradable habitat. Biodegradation data related to the biodegradable properties of raw materials may include data related to the quantification of the degree of biodegradation of chemical products. Biodegradation data related to the biodegradable properties of raw materials may include microplastic data related to the amount of microplastics introduced into the habitat by biodegradation. Biodegradation data related to the biodegradable properties of raw materials may include data related to degradation products. Data related to degradation products may include toxicity data related to the toxicity of the degradation products.

[0256] Biodegradation data may include a list of chemical products suitable for further processing. Biodegradation data may include recipe data associated with recipes that may include instructions for producing biodegradable chemical products from raw materials, including chemical substances. Raw material biodegradation data may further include, for example, raw material name, raw material composition, chemical and / or physical properties of the raw material, raw material emission data, raw material recyclable content data, raw material bio-major component content data, renewable material content data, raw material production data, raw material declaration data, raw material safety data, certificates of analytical data associated with the raw material, and certificates associated with the raw material.

[0257] The production of chemical products may involve a two-stage process: 1) the production of intermediate products, and 2) the production of chemical products from intermediate products and optionally further raw materials (not shown). Raw materials may be used as physical inputs when producing intermediate products. Operating systems, such as the operating system for intermediate product production, may access data related to raw materials, for example, based on distributed identifiers from raw material suppliers. Intermediate product production may be operated using such data. Intermediate products may be formed by chemically reacting raw materials or by physically processing them. Chemical reactions may include polymerization, precipitation, and other known chemical reactions. Physical processing may include mixing, grinding, extrusion, etc. An intermediate product passport may be generated for the produced intermediate products, as will be explained below with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Intermediate product data may include data from intermediate product production and further data related to biodegradation data as described above, and intermediate product data may further include data on the physical properties of the intermediate product, certificates of analytical data, raw material safety data, product declaration data, emission data, etc. The produced intermediate products may be packaged, and the packaging may include physical identifiers such as QR codes, embossed codes, or optical holographic codes such as zero-order diffraction microstructures. The physical identifiers may be assigned to distributed identifiers of the intermediate product passport, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0258] In the second step, the intermediate product may be supplied to the chemical product production process, for example, as described with reference to Figure 4, to produce the chemical product. Separately from the intermediate product, further raw materials (not shown) may be supplied to the chemical product production process. Production data from the intermediate product production process of the intermediate product may be used by an operating system, such as the operating system 402 described with reference to Figure 4, which produces the chemical product as described above. The intermediate product may include recycled materials or materials produced by different entities. Such intermediate products may be associated with a distributed identifier that enables access to the intermediate product data. An ID reader may be used to read the physical identifier associated with the distributed identifier, as described above with reference to Figure 4. The intermediate product data may be obtained using the distributed identifier, for example, as described with reference to Figure 12. Production steps involving chemical reactions such as polymerization may modify the biodegradation data to differ from the biodegradation data of the raw materials.

[0259] As illustrated with reference to Figures 7 and 8, a chemical product passport may be generated for a manufactured chemical product, and the chemical product passport may include data related to a distributed identifier and biodegradation data. The distributed identifier of the chemical product passport may be associated with the chemical product via a physical identifier. For example, a chemical product may include a physical identifier such as a QR code, embossed code, or optical holographic code that is physically attached to the chemical product. Such a physical identifier element may be assigned to a distributed identifier. The assignment of physical identifier elements and distributed identifiers may be performed via a distributed system and / or an ID assignment unit operating locally in the distributed system (see Figure 4). For example, a packaging line may include a labeling device that detects the manufactured chemical product. Based on such recognition, a requesting unit may generate a request to generate a chemical product passport, and the distributed identifier contained in the generated chemical product passport may be assigned to a physical identifier by, for example, an ID assignment unit (see also Figures 7 and 8 below). The assignment may include encoding the distributed identifier into a physical identifier and providing the physical identifier, such as a code, to a labeling device configured to attach the physical identifier to the chemical product. The ID assignment unit may be part of the labeling device or a separate device.

[0260] The generated chemical product passport may include distributed identifiers and data related to biodegradation data. The generated chemical product passport may further include chemical product identifiers associated with the produced chemical product (e.g., intermediate and / or final product). Data related to biodegradation data may include biodegradation data. Biodegradation data may be recorded before, and / or during, and / or after, the production of the chemical product and / or during the use of the chemical substance. Biodegradation data may include identifiers such as the chemical product name, data associated with the characteristics of the raw materials used in the production of the chemical product, or at least one characteristic related to the use of the chemical substance used in the production of the chemical product, and identifiers of the produced chemical product, such as the produced chemical product name, may include data associated with test methods, in particular standardized test methods, and data associated with test methods may be associated with one or more elements of the following group of test methods. DIN EN ISO 17556;December 2012,OECD 301;July 1992,ASTM D 5338,Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastics Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions,September 1998,ASTM D 6002,Standard Guide for Assessing the Compostability of Environmentally Degradable Plastics, October 1996, ASTM D 6400, Standard Specification for Compostable Plastic, May 1999, DIN EN ISO 13432, Verpackungen,December 2000,DIN EN ISO 11734,Water quality - Determination of the complete anaerobic biodegradability of organic compounds in the digested sludge process by measuring biogas production, November 1998, DIN V 54900-1 Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 1: Chemical testing, October 1998, DIN V 54900-2, Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 2: Testing for complete degradability of plastics in laboratory tests, September 1998, DIN V 54900-3, Testing of the compostability of plastics - Part 3: Testing under practically relevant conditions and the quality of the compost, September 1998 E, DIN 54900-4, Testing of the compostability of polymeric materials - Part 4: Testing of the ecotoxicity of Compost, January 1997ISO 14851, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by measurement of oxygen demand in a sealed respirator, May 1999; DIN EN ISO 14852, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials in aqueous media - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999; DIN EN ISO 14855, Determination of ultimate aerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide, May 1999; ISO / DIS 14853, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability of plastics in aqueous systems - Method by measurement of biogas generation, April 1999; and ISO / DIS 15985, Determination of ultimate anaerobic biodegradability and degradability of plastics under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions - Method by analysis of released biogas, April 1999.

[0261] Raw material biodegradation data may include data associated with the biodegradable habitat. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the produced product may include data associated with the quantification of the degree of biodegradation of the chemical product. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the produced chemical product may include microplastic data associated with the amount of microplastics introduced into the habitat by biodegradation. Biodegradation data associated with the biodegradable properties of the raw material may include data associated with the degradation products. Data associated with the degradation products may include toxicity data associated with the toxicity of the degradation products. Biodegradation data may include a list of chemical products suitable for further processing. Biodegradation data may include recipe data associated with a recipe that may include instructions for producing biodegradable chemical products from raw materials containing chemical products. Biodegradation data may include data associated with the operating conditions provided by the operating system 402 of the chemical product production 304. Biodegradation data may include data associated with the producer, such as producer name, producer brand, or producer identifier. Biodegradation data may include chemical product name, brand, or chemical product identifier.

[0262] Data associated with chemical products may include digital representations that refer to biodegradation data or parts thereof. Data related to biodegradation data may include multiple digital representations that refer to distinct parts of biodegradation data or parts thereof. Data related to biodegradation data may include multiple digital representations that refer to different parts of biodegradation data or parts thereof. Such different parts may overlap at some data points. Representations may include access points to biodegradation data or parts thereof, links to access biodegradation data or parts thereof, endpoints to access biodegradation data or parts thereof, or service endpoints to access biodegradation data or parts thereof.

[0263] The generated chemical product passport may include further distributed identifiers associated with the chemical product, such as intermediate products and raw materials used in its production. These further distributed identifiers (also called second distributed identifiers) may be included along with the relationship between the distributed identifiers in the chemical product passport and the second distributed identifiers. This allows the distributed identifiers associated with a chemical product to be linked to the distributed identifiers associated with the chemical substances used in its production. Therefore, the relationship between a chemical product and the chemical substances used in its production can be reflected within the chemical product passport.

[0264] Figures 6A-6B schematically illustrate an example of a method or apparatus for providing biodegradation data associated with the production and use of chemical products, as well as biodegradation data associated with the handling of end-of-life chemical products, across the chemical product value chain via a distributed network.

[0265] Figure 6A shows a part of the chemical product ecosystem that includes chemical product production and the use of the produced chemical substances. In this example, the input substance provider, the chemical product producer, and the chemical product consumer can be connected to a distributed network, for example, as described by referring to FIG. 12. Data on the input substances and the produced chemical products can be provided in the form of a passport associated with the physical entity of the input substances, chemical products, or further chemical products including the produced chemical products, via a schema based on the ID described by referring to FIGS. 8 and 12.

[0266] The input substance provider can provide input substance 302. The input substance 302 can include raw materials or intermediate products described above in relation to FIG. 3, such as dispersants, fillers, monomers, and polymers. The input substance data of the input substance 302 can be provided via a data providing unit (also called a data providing service) 602 associated with the input substance provider connected to the distributed network, as described by referring to FIG. 12. The chemical product producer can produce chemical product 404 from the input substance 302 provided for chemical product production, for example, as described by referring to FIGS. 3 to 5. The chemical product producer can access the input substance data associated with the input substance 302 via a data consuming unit (also called a data consuming service) 606 connected to the distributed network, as described by referring to FIG. 12. The input substance data can be obtained from the data providing unit 602 associated with each input substance provider. The chemical product producer can generate a chemical product passport associated with the produced chemical product 404, for example, as described by referring to FIGS. 7 and 8. The chemical product producer can provide the chemical product passport and biodegradation included in the passport via the data providing unit 602 connected to the distributed network, as described by referring to FIG. 12. Chemical product consumers such as end customers, retailers, or in the case of bottles, fillers, etc., can access the biodegradation data or a part thereof associated with the produced chemical product 404 via the data consuming unit 606 connected to the distributed network, as described by referring to FIG. 12.

[0267] In this example, the respective data owners could be input material producers, chemical product producers, and chemical product consumers. Data owners may include any entity that generates data. Data generation nodes may be connected to entities that own or produce the physical products that are either the source or destination of the data. Data may be generated by a third-party entity on behalf of the entity that owns the physical products that are either the source or destination of the data.

[0268] In the example in Figure 6A, the decentralized identifier of the chemical product passport may be associated with a chemical product. Such decentralized identifiers may be provided to value chain stakeholders. Through chemical product-specific decentralized identifiers, data associated with chemical products can be collected across the production chain and during the use of the chemical product to which the chemical product-specific decentralized identifier is assigned. For example, one or more environmental attributes associated with a chemical product may be derived from environmental attributes associated with input substance 302 or any other product entity present in the chemical product's value chain. Furthermore, biodegradation data associated with a chemical product may be derived from the biodegradation data of input substance 302. In one example, if the chemical product is related to a formulation, the biodegradation data of the formulation may be directly derived from the biodegradation data of the input substance.

[0269] Biodegradation data may include identifiers such as chemical product names and digital representations of the degradation products produced during biodegradation. This may include the lifespan of each biodegradation product. Biodegradation data may further include data associated with intended habitats, such as marine habitats, wastewater habitats, freshwater habitats, marine organism habitats, anaerobic habitats, compost habitats, or soil habitats. Data associated with unintended habitats, such as marine habitats, wastewater habitats, freshwater habitats, marine organism habitats, soybean habitats, and test methods, particularly standard test methods, may be associated with data. Data associated with standardized tests may be associated with one or more elements of the following group of test methods: ISO 13432 (December 2000), ISO 14852 (October 2004), ISO 14855 (April 2013), ISO 17556 (December 2012), and OECD 301 (July 1992).Biodegradation data may include a quantification of the degree of biodegradation of chemical products, in particular the ratio of biochemical oxygen demand (mg), which is the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms when metabolizing a chemical product (BOD), and the total amount of oxygen required to completely oxidize a chemical product (ThOD), which is similarly expressed as the ratio in mg units of the amount of oxygen uptake per mg of the test compound to the theoretical oxygen demand (mg), and ThOD can be calculated from the molecular formula of the chemical product. Alternatively or additionally, biodegradation data may include the ratio of CO2 produced to the theoretical amount of carbon dioxide (ThCO2) calculated to be produced when the chemical product is completely biodegraded, based on the carbon content known or measured when the chemical product is completely biodegraded. This may include biodegradation data associated with the resulting CO2 emissions, data associated with the delayed phase, i.e., the period from inoculation until the biodegradation level reaches approximately 10%, and data associated with treatment orders, the data associated with treatment orders may include one or more elements of the group of desired temperature range, desired microbial community and desired retention time, data associated with residual biomass, and biodegradation data of raw materials and / or intermediate products, the biodegradation data of raw materials and / or intermediate products may include any combination of biodegradation data disclosed by reference to biodegradation data of chemical products that may be related to or include the characteristics of the chemical products associated with the use of the chemical products that produce the aforementioned chemical products. Data associated with chemical products may be collected during the use of the chemicals via chemical product-specific decentralized identifiers. Decentralized identifiers associated with chemical products may be used to update biodegradation, for example, by updating the biodegradation associated with the decentralized identifier or by adding collected data to the biodegradation associated with the decentralized identifier, using data collected during the use of the chemicals, such as exposure to hazardous substances by filling bottles with toxic elements.

[0270] Thus, biodegradation data can represent a digital twin of a chemical product related to its biodegradability. By including data related to the use of the chemical, the digital twin of a chemical can be updated to reflect the current state of its biodegradability. Furthermore, biodegradability can be tracked so that the flow of information can be controlled by stakeholders in the supply chain, while keeping the information transparent across the value chain. Data on the elements used in the production of the chemical product and data on the use of the chemical can be used by return ports and / or waste management facilities to determine the appropriate handling of end-of-life chemical products based on the data. For example, a waste management facility (see, for example, Figure 6B) can determine the appropriate treatment of a chemical product for biodegradation based on the data.

[0271] As illustrated with reference to Figure 3, end-of-life chemical products may be provided to a waste management facility. End-of-life chemical products may correspond to input substances 302 to the waste management facility 608, as shown in Figure 6B. End-of-life biodegradation data for the end-of-life chemical products 302 may be provided via data providers 602 connected to a decentralized network and associated with chemical producers, retailers, distributors, further processing companies, end customers and / or waste recovery operators, as illustrated with reference to Figure 12. The waste management facility 608 may biodegrade the end-of-life chemical products, for example, as illustrated with reference to Figure 3. The waste management facility may access end-of-life biodegradation data associated with the end-of-life chemical products 302 via data consumption units (also called data consumption services) 606 connected to a decentralized network, as illustrated with reference to Figure 12. The end-of-life biodegradation data may be obtained from data providers 602 associated with chemical producers. At the end of the biodegradation process, the waste management facility may generate a biodegradation product passport associated with, for example, the biomass obtained from biodegradation and / or the minerals obtained from the biodegradation process, as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0272] As illustrated with reference to Figure 12, the waste management facility 608 may provide biodegradation product data or a portion thereof contained in the biodegradation product passport via a data provision unit 602 connected to a distributed network. In this example, the respective data owners may be the chemical product producer 304 and / or the regulatory authority and the waste management facility 608. This allows for tracking the removal of chemical products by biodegradation.

[0273] In the example in Figure 6B, the decentralized identifier may be associated with a biodegradation product. Such decentralized identifiers may be provided to value chain stakeholders. Data associated with the produced chemical product can be collected via the decentralized identifier and assigned to it. The decentralized identifier may be associated with a chemical product-specific decentralized identifier. In this way, data about the polymer used in the production of recycled products can be derived from the decentralized identifiers included in the product passport. For example, a biodegradable material passport may include not only the decentralized identifiers included in the chemical product passport, but also data on the relationship between decentralized chemical product identifiers and the decentralized identifiers included in the biodegradable material passport.

[0274] Figure 7 shows an exemplary method for generating a chemical product passport. A chemical product passport may be generated for a chemical product 404 produced by a chemical product production 304 from one or more input materials 302, as described with reference to Figures 4-6A. A chemical product passport may be generated by the operating system 402 of the chemical product production 304. A chemical product passport may be generated by the operating system of a further processing enterprise. The operating system may include equipment for generating chemical product passports, as described with reference to Figure 8, for example.

[0275] In block 702, a request may be received to generate a chemical product passport for a chemical product that has been produced. The request may include a data owner identifier and / or a chemical product identifier. The data owner may be the data owner of the collected data and / or the data contained in the distributed data source. The data owner may be a chemical product producer. The data owner may be a data owner as described above. The chemical product identifier may be a batch number, lot number, chemical product name and / or chemical product ID. The request may be generated by a request unit as described, for example, in relation to Figure 7. The request may be received by a computing node (capable of functioning as a DID owner management module, user agent, ID hub and / or certificate issuer). Distributed identifiers may be requested from a central or distributed node.

[0276] In block 704, an authentication mechanism may be provided or selected, but this block is generally optional. The authentication mechanism may include a private key-public key pair. If the generated distributed identifier includes a DID, an authentication mechanism may be selected or provided.

[0277] In block 706, distributed identifiers associated with biodegradable data and data owners may be generated or provided. These distributed identifiers may include one or more DIDs and / or UUIDs. Distributed identifiers and data related to authentication mechanisms may also be generated or provided.

[0278] Block 708 may provide data related to biodegradation data. This data may include, for example, the biodegradation data described above in relation to Figures 4-6B. Biodegradation data may be collected before, during, or after the production of a chemical product and / or during use. The biodegradation data may be stored in one or more data storage media, such as a database. Providing biodegradation data may include obtaining biodegradation data based on chemical product identifiers, such as chemical product identifiers, included in the request received in Block 702. This data may include, for example, digital representations of biodegradation data or parts thereof, as described with reference to Figures 4-6B.

[0279] In block 710, a chemical product passport may be generated based on a provided or generated distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data. The chemical product passport may include a distributed identifier provided or generated in block 706 and data related to biodegradation data provided in block 708. The chemical product passport may correspond to a DID document associated with a distributed identifier that is a DID. The DID document may include a digital representation pointing to biodegradation data or a portion thereof. The chemical product passport may further include a chemical product identifier. The chemical product identifier may be a chemical product identifier included in a received request. The generated chemical product passport may be stored in a database. The generated chemical product passport or a portion thereof may be provided to allow access by a data consumption service controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner, as illustrated, for example, with reference to Figures 8 and 12.

[0280] In block 714, a physical identifier may be assigned to a distributed identifier contained in the chemical product passport, and this block is generally optional. Assigning a distributed identifier to a physical identifier may include generating a physical identifier in which the distributed identifier is embedded. The physical identifier may be generated by an ID assignment unit, as described with reference to Figure 5, for example, and may be attached to the chemical product using a labeling device.

[0281] The generated chemical product passport enables simplified and customizable data sharing or exchange of biodegradation data associated with the produced chemical products with further stakeholders in the chemical value chain, from the chemical industry, as illustrated with reference to Figures 3-6B. Using this biodegradation data, for example, the biodegradation rate of end-of-life chemical products can be improved by determining an appropriate biodegradation process for the end-of-life chemical product using biodegradation data.

[0282] Figure 8 shows an exemplary system and related method for generating a chemical product passport associated with a manufactured chemical product and granting access to the generated chemical product passport.

[0283] Chemical product production 304 can produce a chemical product 404 from one or more input materials (also referred to as precursor materials) 302. Input materials may include chemical raw materials and / or intermediate products, for example, as described with reference to Figures 3-6A. Chemical product production 304 can be a chemical product production as described with reference to Figures 3-6A. Input materials 302 may enter the system boundary 804 of chemical product production 304. Chemical product 404 may be produced using the input materials 302, for example, as described with reference to Figures 3-6A. Chemical product 304 may exit the system boundary 804 of chemical product production 304.

[0284] When a chemical product 404 is produced or when a chemical product 404 leaves the chemical manufacturing network 304, a chemical product passport associated with the produced chemical product 404 may be generated. Chemical product passports associated with a produced chemical product may be generated when further chemical products, including each of the chemical products, are produced. Chemical product passports may be generated by a device 802 for generating chemical product passports. The device 802 may be configured to generate chemical product passports in accordance with the method described with reference to Figure 7. The device 802 may be configured to receive requests to provide a distributed identifier. The distributed identifier may be associated with biodegradation and data owners. Data owners may include any entity that generates biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Data owners may be data owners of biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Data owners may be chemical product producers. Biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be accessible by data owners. Data owners may therefore directly or indirectly own biodegradation data or a portion thereof. The distributed identifier may be associated with chemical product passports and data owners. The device 802 may be configured to generate a chemical product passport in response to a received request.

[0285] The request unit 806 may be configured to generate requests for distributed identifiers. These requests may be triggered by a labeling system such as a QR code generation unit. These requests may also be triggered by a code reading system such as a QR code reader. Requests to provide distributed identifiers may be provided to a distributed ID generation unit 808 configured to generate distributed identifiers. The distributed ID generation unit 808 may be configured to generate distributed identifiers associated with biodegradable data and data owners. The distributed identifier generation unit 808 may provide the generated distributed identifiers to a distributed ID provision unit 810. Although the distributed ID generation unit 808 and the distributed ID provision unit 810 are shown as separate units in Figure 8, these functions may be combined within a single unit such that the device 802 includes a distributed ID provision unit configured to generate or retrieve distributed identifiers and provide the generated distributed identifiers.

[0286] The distributed ID provider 810 may provide the distributed identifier received from the distributed ID generation unit 808 to the request unit 806. The request unit 806 may be configured to associate the received distributed identifier with a produced chemical product 404. The request unit 806 may therefore include an ID assignment unit as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Such association may include encoding the distributed identifier into a code and providing the code for labeling the chemical product 404. Such association may include relating the distributed identifier to a physical identifier of the chemical product. In this way, a physical identifier may be provided that relates the physical entity of the chemical product to the provided distributed identifier and therefore to the chemical product passport to which the distributed identifier is associated.

[0287] The distributed ID provider 810 may provide a distributed identifier to a chemical product passport generation unit 812, which is configured to generate a chemical product passport that includes a distributed identifier received from the distributed ID provider 810 and data related to biodegradation data. The passport generation unit 812 may generate a chemical product passport, for example, as described with reference to Figure 7. Biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be provided to the chemical product passport generation unit 812 from a data storage medium such as a database (not shown). A digital representation of the biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be generated by the chemical product passport generation unit 812. The generated chemical product passport may be stored in a data storage medium (not shown).

[0288] The generated chemical product passport may be provided to the chemical product passport provider 814. The chemical product passport provider 814 may be configured to provide the chemical product passport for access by the data consumption service 818. The data consumption service 818 may be part of a distributed network 816. The data consumption service 818 may be associated with the recipient of the chemical product, for example, as described with reference to Figure 6B. The chemical product passport provider 814 may control access by the data consumption service 818. The chemical product passport provider 814 may be a data provision service associated with the chemical product production 304. The chemical product passport provider 814 may be associated with or under the control of the data owner of the biodegradation data associated with the generated chemical product passport. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof contained in the chemical product passport may be provided to the data consumption service 818, for example, as described with reference to Figure 12. This allows the chemical product passport and the biodegradation data or a portion thereof to be transferred or accessed in a controlled and secure manner.

[0289] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary method of using a chemical product passport to further process chemical products associated with that passport.

[0290] To use the chemical product passport, instructions for accessing the biodegradation data associated with the distributed identifier of the chemical product passport may be received in block 902. The chemical product passport may be structured as shown in Figures 13 and 14. The chemical product passport may be generated as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0291] Before access to biodegradation data is permitted, the request may be authenticated in block 904. In particular, data consumption services requesting access to biodegradation data and / or data provision services granting access to chemical process data may be authenticated. Such authentication may be based on distributed identity information and data associated with the authentication mechanism. Authentication may be performed via different communication patterns, as detailed in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0292] If authentication fails, access to the biodegradable data may be denied (see block 908). If authentication is valid, the authentication step continues in block 910. Such authentication can be based on data related to a distributed identifier and authentication rules. The data may be associated with a distributed identifier.

[0293] If authentication fails, access to the biodegradation data may be denied (see block 914) or may be modified. In particular, the requested authentication may be modified to conform to the applicable authentication rules. If authentication is valid, access to the biodegradation data is permitted on request in accordance with the authentication rules, and the requested biodegradation data may be provided in accordance with the authentication rules in block 916. Such access to biodegradation data associated with a distributed identifier may be provided using a digital representation contained in the chemical product passport.

[0294] The received biodegradation data may be processed in block 918. For example, the received biodegradation data may be used to determine how to handle used chemical products such as biodegradations, according to the data associated with the processing order.

[0295] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate an exemplary method for authenticating access to biodegradation data associated with a chemical product passport. Various communication patterns may be implemented in the authentication process to verify the identification information.

[0296] Figure 10A shows one exemplary communication pattern that may occur between the data provision service 602 and the data consumption service 606. In this case, since the data provision service 602 can function as the verification entity, a separate service is not used for authentication.

[0297] The data consumption service 606 may request services from the data provision service 602 (see step [1]). The request may include a distributed identifier of the data consumption service distributed identifier, such as a distributed identifier (DID) or verifiable credentials.

[0298] In response to a request, a data provision service may access a registry, such as a central or decentralized authentication registry, to obtain data related to the authentication mechanism associated with a decentralized identifier. For example, a central authentication registry may provide data related to the authentication mechanism through an authentication service that issues access tokens. Furthermore, for example, a decentralized authentication registry may provide data related to the authentication mechanism by generating a request token. The data related to the authentication mechanism may include the public key of the data consumption service.

[0299] Based on the acquired data related to the authentication mechanism, the data provider service may generate an authentication request (e.g., corresponding to an authentication request token or dynamic attribute talk) (see step [2]). The authentication request may be generated based on the public key of the data consumption service and / or the private key of the data provider service 602. The generated authentication request may be sent to the data consumption service 606 (see step [3]).

[0300] Based on the received authentication request, the data consumption service 606 may generate authentication data to respond to the authentication request (step [4]). The generated authentication data may be sent back to the data provision service 602 (step [5]).

[0301] Upon receiving a response from the data consumption service 606 that includes authentication data, the data provision service 602 may then verify the authentication data (see step [6]). In response to the verification, the data provision service 602 may permit or deny the service request from the data consumption service 606 (step [7]).

[0302] Figure 10B shows yet another communication pattern that may occur between the data provision service 602, the authentication service 1004, and the data consumption service 606.

[0303] First, the data consumption service 606 may request a service from or initiate communication with the data provision service 602 (step [1]). The request may include a distributed identifier of the data consumption service distributed identifier, such as a distributed identifier (DID) or verifiable credentials.

[0304] Upon receiving a request, the data provision service 602 may access the distributed ledger and obtain one or more authentication mechanisms associated with the distributed identifier. Based on the obtained authentication mechanisms, the authentication service 1004 may generate an authentication request.

[0305] Here, at least one of the acquired authentication mechanisms may be provided via the authentication service 1004. Thus, in some embodiments, the generated authentication request may be sent directly to the authentication service 1004 (steps [2], [3]). Upon receiving the authentication request from the data provision service 602, the authentication service 1004 may generate authentication data (step [4]). The authentication data generated by the authentication service 1004 may be sent to the data consumption service 606 (step [5]).

[0306] The data consumption service 606 may then pass the authentication data to the data provision service 602 (step [6]). Upon receiving the authentication data, the data provision service 602 may then verify the authentication data (step [7]). In response to the verification, the data provision service may permit or deny the service request from the data consumption service 606 (step [8]).

[0307] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the data provision service 602 may generate an authentication request and then send it to the data consumption service 602. The data consumption service may then pass the authentication request to the authentication service 1004 (not shown).

[0308] Furthermore, after the authentication service 1004 generates authentication data, in some embodiments, the authentication service communicates with the data consumption service 606 simply to notify it of the receipt of the authentication request and to obtain consent. Upon receiving the notification, the data consumption service 606 may consent and send a statement of consent to the authentication service 1004. Upon receiving the statement of consent, the authentication service 1004 may then directly send the authentication data to the data provision service 602.

[0309] Finally, in many transactions, authentication may be performed mutually by both parties. In such a mutual authentication situation, each party involved can be both the subject and the verifier. The data consumption service 606 and the data provision service 602 may control their distributed identifiers. At the start, the services may exchange their distributed identifiers. Next, each service may access the distributed ledger to obtain each other's authentication mechanisms. Each service may then generate its own authentication request based on the authentication method of the other's identity. The generated authentication data may then be sent to the other service. Upon receiving each other's authentication data, each service may verify the received authentication data. Based on the verification result, the services may then carry out additional communication, for example, one service may permit or deny the other service's service request.

[0310] Figures 10A and 10B merely illustrate examples of authentication protocols. While communication arrows are shown in a specific order or as a series of communications, no specific order is required unless specifically stated or requested because one communication depends on another communication being completed before it is sent.

[0311] Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary method for authenticating access to biodegradation data. Biodegradation data may be associated with a distributed identifier and a chemical product passport containing data related to the biodegradation data. The chemical product passport may be generated as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0312] Block 1102 may provide a distributed identifier for a chemical product passport (hereinafter referred to as a distributed chemical product identifier) ​​and a set of authentication rules for the biodegradation data associated with the distributed identifier. The set of authentication rules may include usage instructions that define the usage policy of entities accessing the biodegradation data associated with the distributed identifier. The set of rules may include one or more local rules specific to a particular location. One or more local rules may be based on the location where the distributed identifier was generated, where the data provision service was performed, where the data consumption service was performed, or a combination thereof.

[0313] One or more sets of local rules may be based on the data provision service or the location provided by the data provision service. The location may refer to a jurisdiction, and the local rules may be associated with legal requirements relating to the production, supply, and end-of-life processing of chemical products. For example, access to chemical products may be provided through certification rules that may include jurisdiction or local rules. Biodegradation data may include data described with reference to Figures 3-6B. A set of certification rules may include at least one regulatory order configured to permit access to biodegradation data relating to regulatory requirements for polymers. A set of provided certification rules may relate to access to subject distributed identifiers. Certification rules may include computer executable instructions that permit access to biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier, deny access to biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier, modify access to biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier, or modify biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier. Certification rules may relate to each data point or class of biodegradation data, and selected certification rules may be associated with biodegradation, classes of biodegradation data, individual data points, or combinations thereof. A set of authentication rules may include one or more predetermined rules relating to the obligations of a data consumption service associated with an access entity distributed identifier. A set of authentication rules may include one or more predetermined rules relating to emission data, production data, recyclate content data, bio-major component content data, origin data, labor conditions data, biodegradation data, or a combination thereof. A set of authentication rules may include one or more processing rules relating to the processing of emission data, production data, recyclate content data, bio-major component content data, origin data, labor conditions data, biodegradation data, or a combination thereof by a data consumption service associated with an access entity distributed identifier.

[0314] Block 1104 may provide data related to a distributed identifier or an access subject's distributed identifier (hereinafter referred to as the access subject's distributed identifier).

[0315] In block 1106, authentication rules for biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier may be selected based on the access subject distributed identifier or data associated with the access subject distributed identifier. Authentication rules may include computer executable instructions to permit, deny, or modify biodegradation data. Authentication rules may be associated with each data point or set or class of biodegradation data. Selected authentication rules may be stored for application to biodegradation. Such authentication rules may be applied before or during a data transaction. Selected authentication rules may be associated with biodegradation data, individual data points or classes of biodegradation data for application to the biodegradation data.

[0316] In block 1108, the selected authentication rule may be applied to biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier. The selected authentication rule may be applied before accessing the biodegradation data. The selected authentication rule may be applied while the biodegradation data is being accessed.

[0317] In block 1110, biodegradation data associated with a distributed chemical product identifier may be provided according to selected authentication rules.

[0318] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram illustrating how access to chemical product passports, associated with chemical product consumers, is provided via a data provision service linked to the data owner, using a data consumption service linked to chemical product consumers through a distributed network.

[0319] Chemical products 402 produced by the chemical product production network 304 may be provided in association with a chemical product passport. A chemical product passport may be generated as described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. A chemical product passport may include biodegradation data and a distributed identifier associated with the data owner. A chemical product passport may include data related to the biodegradation data. Data related to the biodegradation data may include a digital representation pointing to the biodegradation data or a portion thereof (see, for example, Figure 13).

[0320] The chemical product passport may further include or be associated with authentication and / or authorization information linked to the chemical product identifier. Authentication and / or authorization information may be provided for authentication and / or authorization of data provision service 602 and / or data consumption service 606. Distributed identifiers may include universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) and / or distributed identifiers (DIDs). Distributed identifiers may include any unique identifier uniquely associated with the data owner and / or biodegradation and / or chemical product. The data owner may be a producer of the chemical product. The data owner may own or be authorized to access biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Access to biodegradation data may be controlled by the data owner through the unique association of distributed identifiers with the data owner and / or biodegradation data. The data owner may include any entity that generates the data. Data generation nodes may be connected to the data owner or entities that own or produce the chemical product from which the data originates or is destined. Data may be generated by a third-party entity on behalf of the entity that owns the chemical product from which the data originates or is destined.

[0321] Chemical product 404 may be physically delivered to consumers of chemical products, such as retailers, distributors, end customers, and / or waste management facilities. Chemical product 404 may include a code, such as a QR code, on which a distributed identifier is encoded. In certain cases, the code may be provided on the container. This is advantageous when the chemical product relates to a liquid. Consumers of chemical product 404 may read the code via a code reader 1202. The distributed identifier may be provided to a database 1204 associated with consumers of chemical product 404. In other embodiments, consumers of chemical product 404 may obtain the distributed identifier via a registry 1206. For example, the chemical product identifier encoded in the code may be used to obtain the distributed identifier from the registry 1206. The registry 1206 may store distributed identifiers associated with chemical product passports. The registry 1206 may further store access data associated with the distributed identifiers. The access data may include digital representations pointing to biodegradation data or parts thereof. The access data may therefore make identifiable data provision services 602 that provide biodegradation data or parts thereof.

[0322] Based on the received distributed identifier, a request to access the biodegradation data associated with the distributed identifier may be triggered by the data consumption service 606, as indicated by arrow 1210. The distributed identifier may be associated with producer 404 or provided to the producer's data provision service 602. In addition, authentication and / or authorization information may be provided.

[0323] The request may authenticate (see Figures 10A and 10B) and / or authorize access to biodegradation data associated with a distributed identifier. Based on the success of the authorization and / or authentication, access to the polymer associated with the distributed identifier may be granted.

[0324] The data provision service 606 may use the received data to obtain biodegradation data or a portion thereof associated with the produced chemical product 404, as indicated by arrows 1212 and 1214. The biodegradation data or a portion thereof associated with the chemical product 404 obtained by the data provision service 602 may be provided to the data consumption service 606, as indicated by arrow 1216. The received biodegradation data or a portion thereof may be stored in the database 1204 related to the consumers of the chemical product 404, as indicated by arrow 1218.

[0325] Through decentralized identifiers, biodegradation data or parts thereof can be uniquely associated with polymers. Through a decentralized network, biodegradation data or parts thereof can be transferred in a standardized and secure manner between chemical producers, chemical consumers, and further stakeholders in the chemical value chain. Thus, uniquely associated with chemical products, biodegradation data or parts thereof can be directly shared among value chain players without centralized intermediaries. This ensures transparency of biodegradation datasets across the value chain. The Chemical Passport, therefore, allows for the sharing of biodegradation data under simple and customizable conditions without compromising data security and data sovereignty.

[0326] While Figure 12 illustrates the relationship between chemical producers and consumers, the exchange of biodegradation data can also occur between chemical producers and other stakeholders in the value chain, such as retailers, recycling companies, waste collection companies, waste management facilities, and / or authorities.

[0327] Figure 13 shows examples of ID-based owner data, ID-based passport data, and a distributed identification information management unit.

[0328] A distributed identifier may be a distributed ID (DID). A chemical product passport may be a DID document associated with a DID. Owner data based on an ID may include a DID associated with an object such as biodegradation data, and may include an authentication mechanism. Owner data based on an ID may include owner data that is electronically owned and controlled by the DID owner. In this context, electronic possession may refer to data stored in an owner repository or wallet. Such data may be securely stored and / or managed on an organized server or client device. Owner data based on an ID may include a DID, a private key, and a public key. An owner based on an ID may own and control a DID representing the identification information associated with the DID object, and a pair of private and public keys associated with the DID. A DID may be understood as an identifier and authentication information associated with or uniquely associated with the identifier.

[0329] The DID subject may be a chemical product. The DID subject may be a machine, system, or apparatus used in the production of a chemical product, or a set of such machines, apparatus, and / or systems. The DID owner may be a chemical product producer. The DID owner may be an upstream party in the chemical product value chain of a chemical product producer, such as a supplier of raw chemical products or precursors used to produce a chemical product. The DID owner may be a downstream party in the chemical product value chain of a chemical product producer, such as a customer who consumes a chemical product. The DID owner may be any party in the chemical product supply chain, including raw chemical product suppliers, intermediate chemical product manufacturers, chemical product producers, chemical product recovery companies such as waste recovery companies, retreading companies, or recycling companies.

[0330] DID can be any identifier associated with the DID subject and / or DID owner. Preferably, the identifier is unique for each DID subject and / or DID owner. The identifier can be unique at least to the extent that the use of the DID is expected. The identifier can be a locally or globally unique identifier for any party in the chemical value chain, including chemical products, machines, systems or equipment used in the production of chemical products or sets of such machines, equipment and / or systems, chemical manufacturers that produce chemicals, chemical product producers, downstream parties in the chemical value chain of chemical product producers or sets thereof, raw material suppliers, intermediate product manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, chemical product distributors, chemical product retailers, chemical product end customers, chemical product collectors such as waste collectors, chemical product recycling equipment and waste management facilities or sets thereof.

[0331] A DID can be a Unified Resource Identifier (URI), such as a Unified Resource Location Specifier (URL). A DID can be an Internationalized Resource Identifier (IRI). A DID can be a random string of numbers and letters for enhanced security. In one embodiment, a DID can be a sequence of 128 characters and numbers following a scheme such as "did:method name:method-specific did," for example, did:example:ebfeb1f712ebc6f1c276e12ec21. A DID can be decentralized, independent of a centralized third-party management system, and under the control of the DID owner.

[0332] DID document 1304 may be associated with a DID. Therefore, DID document 1304 may contain references to DIDs that can be associated with the DID object described by the DID document. DID document 1304 may contain authentication information such as a public key. The public key may be used by a third party authorized by the DID owner / object to access information and data owned by the DID owner / object. The public key may be used to verify that the DID owner actually owns or controls the DID. DID document 1304 may contain authentication information, authorization information, for example, that authorizes a third party to read the DID document or a part of DID document 1304 without granting the third party the right to prove ownership of the DID.

[0333] DID document 1304 may include further identifiers, such as identifiers associated with different parts or classes of biodegradable data. DID document 1304 may further include, for example, one or more representations digitally associated with the biodegradable data by a service endpoint. A service endpoint may include a network address on which a service operates on behalf of the DID owner. In particular, a service endpoint may refer to a service of the DID owner that grants access to the biodegradable data or a portion thereof. Such a service may include a service that reads or analyzes the biodegradable data or a portion thereof. The biodegradable data may include the data described with reference to Figures 3-6B.

[0334] DID document 1304 may contain various other information, such as metadata specifying when DID document 1304 was created, when it was last modified, and / or when it expires.

[0335] The DID and DD documents 1340 may be associated with a distributed data service system or a distributed data service system 1306, such as a data registry node including a distributed ledger, blockchain, or distributed file system. The distributed ledger or blockchain may be used to store a representation of the DID that points to the DID document 1304. The representation of the DID may be stored on distributed computing nodes of the distributed ledger or blockchain 1306. For example, a DID hash may be stored on multiple computing nodes of the distributed ledger and may point to the location of the DID document 1304. In some embodiments, the DID document 1304 may be stored in the distributed ledger 1306. Each computing node may store a copy of the distributed ledger 1306. In this way, each DID hash can be stored redundantly, thereby improving data security. The distributed ledger 1306 may contain DIDs associated with multiple different DID documents 1304.

[0336] In some embodiments, the DID document 1304 may be stored in a distributed ledger 1306, i.e., in an associated DID representation stored additionally or alternatively in the distributed ledger 1306. In other embodiments, the DID document 1304 may be stored in a data storage device (not shown) associated with a distributed ledger or blockchain or a distributed file system.

[0337] The distributed ledger or blockchain 1306 can be any decentralized network containing various computing nodes that communicate with one another. For example, the distributed ledger 1306 may include a first distributed computing node, a second distributed computing node, a third distributed computing node, and any number of additional distributed computing nodes (not shown). A distributed ledger or blockchain 1306 may include publicly known stored technologies such as Bitcoin (see, for example, the Bitcoin documentation published on November 11, 2022: https: / / en.bitcoin.it / wiki / Protocol_documentation), Ethereum (see, for example, the Ethereum documentation published on August 15, 2022: https: / / ethereum.org / en / developers / docs / ), Solana (see, for example, the Solana documentation published on November 11, 2022: https: / / spl.solana.com / ), Polygon (see, for example, the Polygon documentation published on November 11, 2022: https: / / wiki.polygon.technology / ), or other implementations of data transactions of varying degrees performed on a distributed ledger. The description of exemplary frameworks is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as limiting the invention.

[0338] Figure 14 shows examples of ID-based certificate data, ID-based chemical product passport data, and the Identification Information Management Department.

[0339] In contrast to the example in Figure 13, the example in Figure 14 is certificate-based. Certificate data 1402 may include authentication data for the subject and the certificate issuer. The subject may be the data owner or a data delivery service 602 operated by or under the control of the data owner. Certificate data 1402 may further include the name of the subject for which the certificate was issued, e.g., data owner name, data owner ID, data provider name, data provider ID, or a combination thereof. The certificate may be an X.509 certificate, such as X509v3. Certificate data 1402 may be associated with an IDS infrastructure 1406, for example, a Certificate Issuing Service (CA) 1408 and / or a Dynamic Delivery Service (DAPS) 1410 that provides dynamic attribute tokens (e.g., OAuth access tokens). Certificate data 1402 may further include various other information, such as metadata specifying when the certificate was created, when it was last modified, and / or when it expires. The information necessary for verifying certificate data 1402 may be provided through an authentication registry associated with the Certificate Issuing Service and / or the Dynamic Delivery Service. For example, in version 3.0 of the IDSA Reference Architecture Model from April 2019, identification information is verified using data delivery services 602, certificate authorities (CAs) 1408, dynamic attribute delivery services (DAPS) 1410, and data consumption services (not shown) associated with or under the control of the data owner before data exchange (see, for example, Figures 10A and 10B) takes place.

[0340] Certificate data 1402 and chemical product passport data 1404 may be stored within the data provision service 602. The data provision service 602 may be associated with or under the control of the data owner of the biodegradation data.

[0341] Chemical product passport data 1404 may include a distributed identifier, authentication data, and endpoint associated with biodegradation data or a portion thereof. The distributed identifier may be a universally unique identifier (UUID), such as UUIDv4. UUIDv4 may follow the following format: [0-9a-fA-F]{8}-[0-9a-fA-F]{4}-[0-9a-fA-F]{4}-[0-9a-fA-F]{4}-[0-9a-fA-F]{12}. Authentication information may be used to control access to biodegradation data or a portion thereof, as illustrated with reference to Figure 9, for example. The endpoint may include any digital representation pointing to biodegradation data or a portion thereof. Biodegradation data may include data illustrated with reference to Figures 3-6B.

[0342] Chemical product passport data 1404 may include various other information, such as metadata specifying when the chemical product passport was created, when it was last modified, and / or when it expires.

[0343] Figures 15–17 show different exemplary configurations of product passports associated with digital identifiers. These configurations include different relationships of passports generated in the chemical value chain, including raw material suppliers, intermediate product manufacturers, chemical product manufacturers, chemical product distributors, chemical product retailers, end customers of chemical products, chemical product collectors such as waste collectors, waste management facilities, and waste management facilities. Passports can be generated, for example, using the methods described with reference to Figure 7.

[0344] Figure 15A shows the individual configurations of different passports generated in a chemical product value chain, for example, as described with reference to Figure 3. Individual passports may be generated for multiple product stages in a chemical product value chain. Passport generation may involve providing distributed identifiers and data associated with each product data for each of the multiple product stages. Passport generation may further involve providing an authentication mechanism. Passports for multiple product stages may be based on cryptographic signatures. For example, passports for multiple product stages may be concatenated via hash values ​​based on different datasets. As shown in Figure 15A, hash1 is obtained based on raw material passport data, hash2 is obtained based on chemical product passport data, hash3 is obtained based on raw material passport data plus intermediate product passport data. Similarly, hash4 is obtained based on chemical product passport data, and hash5 is obtained based on chemical product passport data and chemical product passport data. Further concatenation may be performed for other combinations of passports up to hash7, linking the chemical product passport with the biodegradable product passport. Hashes can be used to generate hash chains that allow for the determination of raw materials and chemical products used in the production of chemical products, and for determining the expiration of the lifespan of chemical products at waste management facilities. The sequence of hashes from hash1 to hash7 can be considered a "mirror" of the value chain, as it reflects the relationships between each passport. Linking via hashes of cryptographic signatures is just one example of linking. Other examples include aggregating tolerances for different ranges of data that may be embedded in child passports, aggregating public keys with different cryptographic signatures, or aggregating service endpoints with different links.

[0345] Figure 15B shows different passports containing concatenations associated with multiple digital identifiers based on relational representations of different products associated with different product stages in the chemical product value chain. Of these passports, one is associated with a polymer. In this particular example, hash values ​​are used for concatenations associated with multiple distributed identifiers. The dataset used to generate the hash values ​​is schematically shown in Figure 15A.

[0346] A raw material passport may be provided to intermediate product producers who use raw materials in the production of intermediate products. Raw materials and intermediate products may include those described with reference to Figures 3-6B. A raw material passport may be associated with a hash value "hash1". The hash value "hash1" may be generated via a hashing algorithm such as MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2, SHA-3, or any other suitable algorithm based on a one-way function that cannot be reverse-engineered. The hash value "hash1" may be generated based on data contained in or associated with the raw material passport. The data for hash generation may include distributed identifiers and data related to raw material data. The data for hash generation may include distributed identifiers associated with raw materials, data related to raw materials, and / or cryptographic information associated with digital identifiers. The hash value "hash1" may be used by stakeholders in the chemical product value chain to check the integrity of data packages transferred from raw material suppliers, for example, to intermediate product producers.

[0347] Similar to raw material passports, intermediate product passports may be provided to chemical producers who use intermediate products in the production of chemical products. The generation of a chemical product passport may be based on an intermediate product passport provided to a chemical producer who uses intermediate products in the production of chemical products. A chemical product passport may be associated with one or more hash values ​​"hash4", "hash5". Hash values ​​"hash4", "hash5" may be generated via hash algorithms such as MD5, SHA~1, SHA~2, SHA~3, or any other suitable algorithm based on a one-way function that is not reverse-engineerable. Hash values ​​"hash4", "hash5" may be generated based on data contained in or associated with the intermediate product passport and / or raw material passport. Hash values ​​"hash4", "hash5" may be generated based on the clear data itself or hash values ​​generated from the clear data. For example, hash5 may be generated based on intermediate product passport data and chemical product passport data or hashed intermediate product data and hashed chemical product passport data. The data for hash generation may include distributed identifiers associated with intermediate products used in the production of chemical products, distributed identifiers associated with chemical products, data related to intermediate products, and / or data related to chemical products.

[0348] A concatenation associated with multiple distributed identifiers may relate to distributed identifiers associated with biodegradation products, chemical products, and precursor materials used in the production of chemical products. Such concatenation can be performed by hashing the data associated with or contained within each passport. The data for hash generation may include the data described with reference to Figure 15A. The hash value "hash4" may be generated in relation to the chemical product passport, as shown in Figure 15A. The hash value "hash5" may be generated in relation to the intermediate product passport and the chemical product passport, as shown in Figure 15A. The hash values ​​may be used by stakeholders in the chemical product value chain to check the integrity of the transferred data package. The combined hash values ​​may be further used by stakeholders in the chemical product value chain to determine the relationships between products at different stages and to check the integrity of such relationships.

[0349] As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, hash values ​​can be associated with passports associated with one or more product stages in the chemical product value chain.

[0350] Figure 16A illustrates the linking configuration of different passports generated in a chemical product value chain. Biodegradable product passports may be generated for chemical products within a waste management facility. At multiple further product stages within the chemical product value chain, individual passports may be generated and embedded in or associated with the biodegradable product passport. Passport generation may involve providing distributed identifiers and data associated with each product data for each of the multiple product stages. Passport generation may further involve providing an authentication mechanism. Passports for multiple product stages may be based on cryptographic signatures. For example, passports for multiple further product stages may be linked via hash values ​​based on different datasets. As shown in Figure 16A, hash1 is obtained based on raw material passport data, hash2 is obtained based on chemical product passport data, hash3 is obtained based on raw material passport data plus chemical product passport data. Similarly, hash4 is obtained based on chemical product passport data, hash5 is obtained based on chemical product passport data and chemical product passport data. Further linking of chemical product passports may be performed for other combinations of passports up to hash7. Further linking may be performed to link all passports up to the biodegradable product passport, for other combinations of passports up to hash7. The sequence of hashes from hash1 to hash7 can be considered a "mirror" of the value chain from raw materials to waste management facilities, as it reflects the relationships between each passport. Linking via hashes of cryptographic signatures is just one example of linking. Other examples include aggregating tolerances for different ranges of data that may be embedded in child passports, aggregating public keys with different cryptographic signatures, or aggregating service endpoints with different links.

[0351] Figure 16B shows different passports containing concatenations associated with multiple distributed identifiers based on relational representations of different products associated with different product stages in the chemical product value chain. Of these passports, one is associated with a chemical product. In this particular example, hash values ​​are used for concatenations associated with multiple distributed identifiers. The dataset used to generate the hash values ​​is schematically shown in Figure 16A.

[0352] An intermediate product passport may be provided to chemical producers who use intermediate products in the production of chemical products. The intermediate product passport may be associated with a hash value hash2, which may be generated as described with reference to Figure 16A.

[0353] Similar to intermediate product passports, chemical product passports may be provided to end customers and / or waste management facilities. Hash values ​​may be generated as described with reference to Figure 16A. Hash values ​​may be generated similarly for passports up to biodegradation product passports.

[0354] In the linking configuration, the biodegradation product passport may include hash values ​​associated with passports linked to products up to the biodegradation product stage in a waste management facility, such as chemical products. Linking associated with multiple distributed identifiers may, in this case, be associated with distributed identifiers linked to raw materials, intermediate products, and chemical products. Linking can be performed by hashing the data associated with or contained in each passport. The data for hash generation may include any data contained in each passport. The hash value "hash6" may be based on the passport associated with the biodegradation product data and at least the distributed identifiers associated with the data. The hash value "hash7" may be generated in relation to passports associated with products at different product stages, as shown in Figure 16A. The combined hash value "hash7" may be used by stakeholders in the chemical product value chain to determine the relationships between products at different stages and to check the integrity of such relationships. For example, authorities may evaluate whether a chemical product has reached the end of its lifespan through biodegradation in a waste management facility.

[0355] As shown in Figures 16A and 16B, hash values ​​can be associated with passports associated with one or more product stages in the chemical product value chain.

[0356] Figure 17A shows a fully embedded configuration of different product passports generated in a chemical product value chain. Individual passports may be generated for multiple product stages in the chemical product value chain. Passport generation may involve providing distributed identifiers and data associated with each product data for each of the multiple product stages. Passport generation may further involve providing an authentication mechanism. Passports for multiple product stages may be based on cryptographic signatures. For example, passports for multiple product stages may be linked via hash values ​​based on different datasets. As shown in Figure 17A, hash1 may be based on the data of the raw material passport. hash2 may be based on the data of the raw material passport and the intermediate product passport. Further linking may be performed to link products up to the biodegradable product passport for other combinations of passports up to hash7. Linking via hashing cryptographic signatures is just one example of linking. Other examples include aggregating tolerances for different ranges of data that may be embedded in child passports, aggregating public keys with different cryptographic signatures, or aggregating service endpoints with different links.

[0357] Figure 17B shows different passports containing concatenations associated with multiple distributed identifiers based on relational representations of different products associated with different product stages in the chemical product value chain. One digital access element of the passport is associated with a chemical product. In this particular example, hash values ​​are used for concatenations associated with multiple distributed identifiers. The dataset used to generate the hash values ​​is schematically shown in Figure 17A.

[0358] Intermediate product passports may be provided to chemical producers who use intermediate products in the production of chemical products. Intermediate product passports may be associated with hash value hash2, which may be generated as described with reference to Figure 17A. Similar to intermediate product passports, chemical product passports may be provided to biodegradation control facilities that produce biodegraded chemical products using chemical products. Hash values ​​may be generated as described with reference to Figure 17A. Hash values ​​may be generated similarly for passports up to biodegradation product passports.

[0359] In a fully embedded configuration, the combined hash value can be generated from passports associated with all products preceding each product. A concatenation associated with multiple distributed identifiers may, in this case, be associated with distributed identifiers associated with all preceding products, such as raw materials, intermediate products, and chemical products. The concatenation can be performed by hashing the data associated with or contained within each passport. The data for hash generation may include any data contained within each passport. For example, the hash value "hash5" may be based on distributed identifiers associated with products up to, for example, the chemical product passport. The hash value "hash7" may be based on at least distributed identifiers associated with products up to and including chemical products in a waste management facility. The combined hash values ​​"hash3," "hash5," and "hash7" can be used by stakeholders in the chemical product value chain to determine product relationships at different stages and to check the integrity of such relationships. As shown in Figures 17A and 17B, the hash values ​​may be associated with passports associated with one or more product stages in the chemical product value chain.

[0360] The configurations shown in Figures 15A to 17B relate to passports generated throughout the chemical product value chain up to the waste management facility. In this way, the biodegradation of products containing chemicals can be virtually represented and tracked.

[0361] Figures 18A and 18B show examples of relational expressions that can be used to generate concatenations, such as the concatenations described above with reference to Figures 15A-17B.

[0362] Relational expressions may relate to different stages of a chemical product value chain, such as the chemical product value chain described with reference to Figure 3. Passports to different stages of a chemical product value chain may be associated with relational expressions. Relational expressions may relate to products produced at each stage of the chemical product value chain and at least one product used in the production of each product. Relational expressions may relate to products produced at each stage of the chemical product value chain and at least one product produced at a preceding stage of the chemical product value chain. Relational expressions may specify relationships between physical entities. Relational expressions may specify that a second physical entity can be used in the production of a first physical entity, as shown in Figure 18A, and / or that the first physical entity can be produced using a second physical entity, as shown in Figure 18B. Relational expressions may relate to at least one intermediate product used in the production of a chemical product. Relational expressions may relate to a chemical product produced by using at least one intermediate product.

[0363] Figure 19A illustrates how chemical products, particularly solid chemicals, end up in different habitat conditions. Starting from waste 100, products can be dumped by end customers (102). Dumping can occur in various habitats, particularly unintended habitats such as open water 104, soil 106, and ocean 108. In the example of a bottle, the chemical product may be thrown into a river, forest, or sea. Biodegradation data depends not only on the chemical product but also on the microbial environment of the habitat. Therefore, a chemical product may be 100% biodegradable in its intended habitat but not completely biodegradable in an unintended habitat.

[0364] Because dumping cannot be effectively controlled or prevented, it is important to be able to provide biodegradation data associated with chemical products, including biodegradation data associated with unintended habitats. This would allow authorities to restrict market access to chemical products that biodegrade in unintended habitats. Therefore, it would be beneficial for authorities to have access to biodegradation data of chemical products in unintended habitats. Methods and systems for ensuring data availability and controlling access are disclosed herein and are described in more detail with reference to Figures 3-18.

[0365] To allow the exemplary bottle to biodegrade in its intended habitat, the bottle is disposed of by the end consumer in a controlled waste disposal workstream 110. The end consumer may be instructed to dispose of the bottle properly by accessing biodegradation data associated with the chemical product. Methods and systems for ensuring data availability and controlling access are disclosed herein and described in more detail with reference to Figures 3-18.

[0366] The chemical product may be disposed of in a waste collection unit. The waste collection unit may then access biodegradation data associated with the chemical. Based on the biodegradation data associated with the intended habitat 112, the waste collection unit may deliver the chemical product to an appropriate waste management facility. The appropriate waste management facility may access the biodegradation data associated with the chemical product to obtain processing instructions. The waste management facility may then control the biodegradation, which in this case is composting 114, according to the obtained processing instructions. Methods and systems for ensuring data availability and controlling access are disclosed herein and are described in more detail with reference to Figures 3-18. Finally, the chemical product ends up as compost 116.

[0367] Figure 19B illustrates how formulations, particularly liquid chemical products such as detergents or personal care products, reach the end of their lifespan in different environments.

[0368] Starting from use 200, the product may be discarded 202 by the end customer, for example, by using the chemical product in outdoor activities. Discarding can occur in various habitats, especially unintended habitats such as open water 204, soil 206 and ocean 208. Biodegradation data depends not only on the chemical product but also on the microbial environment of the habitat. Therefore, a chemical product may be 100% biodegradable in its intended habitat but not completely biodegradable in an unintended habitat.

[0369] Because dumping cannot be effectively controlled or prevented, it is important to be able to provide biodegradation data associated with chemical products, including biodegradation data associated with unintended habitats. This would allow authorities to restrict market access to chemical products that biodegrade in unintended habitats. Therefore, it would be beneficial for authorities to have access to biodegradation data of chemical products in unintended habitats. Methods and systems for ensuring data availability and controlling access are disclosed herein and are described in more detail with reference to Figures 3-18.

[0370] To allow the exemplary bottles to biodegrade in their intended habitat, the bottles are disposed of by the end consumer in a controlled waste workstream 210.

[0371] In this example, the chemical product may be collected in a controlled environment of the sewer and used to terminate in an intended habitat wastewater 212 that is controlled by a waste management facility. Based on the biodegradation data associated with the intended habitat 212, the appropriate waste management facility may access the biodegradation data associated with the chemical product to obtain treatment instructions. The waste management facility may then control the biodegradation in the wastewater according to the obtained treatment instructions. Methods and systems for ensuring data availability and controlling access are disclosed herein and are described in more detail with reference to Figures 3-18. Finally, the chemical product may terminate in a diluted state 214 as minerals in water.

[0372] This disclosure has been illustrated with examples, along with preferred embodiments. However, other variations can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art by examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the claims. Notably, any of the steps presented can be carried out in any order; that is, the present invention is not limited to any particular order of these steps. Furthermore, these different steps do not need to be carried out at a specific location or one node in a distributed system; that is, each step can be carried out at different nodes using different equipment / data processing units.

[0373] In the claims and herein, the term “including” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude plural. “Can” or “may” refers to an optional feature. 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 mean that combinations of these means cannot be used in a favorable implementation or that further elements may be included.

[0374] This disclosure has been described with reference to examples, along with preferred embodiments. However, other modifications can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art by examining the drawings, this disclosure, and the claims.

[0375] 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. These different steps do not need to be performed at a specific location or specific computing node in a distributed system; that is, each step may be performed at a different computing node using different equipment / data processing.

[0376] As used herein, “determine” includes “initiate or cause to determine,” “generate” includes “initiate and / or cause to generate,” and “provide” includes “initiate and / 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 each action.

[0377] All terms and definitions used herein are to be understood in a broad sense and have a general meaning.

Claims

1. A device for generating chemical product passports, comprising one or more computing nodes, and when executed by the one or more computing nodes, the device performs the following steps: - A step of receiving a request to provide the biodegradability characteristics of a chemical product and a distributed identifier associated with the biodegradation data associated with the data owner, - A step of generating a chemical product passport in response to the request, which includes the distributed identifier and data related to the biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of the chemical product. - The step of providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner. A device comprising one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions structured to carry out a certain action.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distributed identifier is provided to a node that generates the chemical product passport and preferably to at least one authentication data registry accessible by the data provision service and / or the data consumption service.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generation of the chemical product passport includes providing the distributed identifier associated with the physical entity of the chemical product.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chemical product passport includes one or more authentication mechanisms associated with the distributed identifier and the data related to the biodegradation data.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chemical product passport relates to one or more authentication mechanisms associated with the distributed identifier and the data related to the biodegradation data.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the chemical product passport is associated with data related to different classes of biodegradation data.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the chemical product passport is associated with at least one class of biodegradation data, including data relating to the habitat for the biodegradation of the chemical product, and / or data relating to biodegradation tests and / or processing orders, and / or recipe data.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the data associated with the biodegradation test is associated with the standard test.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the biodegradation data, which includes data related to the habitat for the biodegradation of the chemical product, includes data related to the microbial community of the habitat.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the biodegradation data is associated with microplastic data related to the amount of microplastics introduced into the habitat by biodegradation.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the recipe data includes control data for controlling the production of chemical products based on chemical substances.

12. A computer implementation method for generating a chemical product passport, - A step of receiving a request to provide the biodegradability characteristics of a chemical product and a distributed identifier associated with the biodegradation data associated with the data owner, - A step of generating a chemical product passport in response to the request, which includes the distributed identifier and data related to the biodegradation data associated with the biodegradation characteristics of the biodegradable chemical product. - The step of providing the chemical product passport for access by a data consumption service that is under the control of or controlled by a data provision service associated with the data owner. Computer implementation methods including

13. A use of the chemical product passport generated according to the method of claim 11 or by the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 10, for the purpose of obtaining the recipe data of the chemical product passport in order to control the production of a final chemical product from the chemical product based on determined recipe data of the chemical product associated with the chemical product passport.

14. A use of the chemical product passport generated according to the method of claim 11, comprising controlling a waste management facility based on the biodegradation data associated with the biodegradability of the biodegradable chemical product, which is associated with an intended habitat.

15. A biodegradable chemical product associated with a chemical product passport, wherein the chemical product passport, which includes a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, is produced according to the method of claim 12 or by the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. The biodegradable chemical product according to claim 15, wherein the product is a biodegradable polymer.

17. A chemical product passport comprising a distributed identifier and data related to biodegradation data, the chemical product passport being generated according to the method of claim 12 or by the apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

18. A computer element having instructions, which, when executed on one or more computing nodes, is configured to perform the steps of the method according to claim 12 or the steps of the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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