Bio-based materials with computer-readable indicator

Abstract

A bio-based material, wherein: - the bio-based material is provided in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer-readable indicator and / or the bio-based material itself is provided with a computer-readable indicator; and - the computer-readable indicator is indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier.

Description

[0001] Title: Bio-based materials with computer-readable indicator

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of bio-based materials.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Bio-based materials generally refer to products that mainly consist of a substance (or substances) derived from living matter (biomass). It is preferred to use bio-based materials instead of non-bio-based materials, since bio-based materials are likely to have a lower carbon footprint and may be more environmentally friendly.

[0006] Some bio-based material are provided with a label, such as an FSC- label (Forest Stewardship Council), indicating that the bio-based material complies with certain requirements on origin, processing, and / or other conditions.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a bio-based material of which material data can be obtained, and methods relating to registering and obtaining material data. By virtue of the material data, more information on for example the origin and life of a natural resource used to form the bio-based material may be obtained. Material data may for example aid in recycling, upcycling, or re-using of the bio-based material.

[0009] In a first aspect, a bio-based material is provided. The bio-based material is provided in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer-readable indicator and / or the bio-based material itself is provided with a computer-readable indicator. The computer-readable indicator is indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier. In the context of the present disclosure, a bio-based material is defined as a material intentionally made from substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms. Packaging may be any container in, on or between which the bio-based material is positioned, such as a box, barrel, pallet, or other type of container. Packaging may be a wrapping, such as a plastic wrapping, which wrapping may completely or partially surround the biobased material.

[0010] Any bio-based material disclosed herein may comprise fibres of natural origin. Such fibres typically comprise cellulose, hemicellulose, and / or lignin. A bio-based material may be fibre composite material, formed by a matrix, such as a resin, and fibres. A fibre composite material may be used as a construction material.

[0011] A construction material is defined as any material which can be used in the built environment. Construction materials include isolation material, constructive elements such as beams, sheets, wall elements, board, flooring, ceiling, stairs and / or any other constructive element which for example can be used to form part of a building. Constructive elements are typically arranged to be loaded under tension, compression, and / or torsion.

[0012] Next to construction material, also other types of bio-based materials are envisioned. For example, a biofuel is considered an example of a bio-based material. A biofuel can be produced from biomass, such as plants. Examples of biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel. Biofuel may be stored in a liquid-tight container, such as a barrel, as an example of packaging. As another examiner, a biogas is considered an example of a bio-based material. Biogas may be stored in a gas-tight container, as an example of packaging. Biogas may be formed using microbes which feed on biomass.

[0013] The computer-readable indicator may be a visual indicator, which for example can be scanned by a scanner and / or camera. A visual indicator may be or comprise a barcode, QR-code, one or more letters, one or more numbers, one or more other symbols, or any combination thereof. When read by a computer, the visual indicator may indicate to the computer at least one unique natural resource identifier. The visual indicator may be provided on a sticker or label which is attached to the bio-based material itself or to an optional packaging of the bio-based material. A visual indicator may also be referred to as a graphical indicator. Any visual indicator may be printed on, etched into, burned into, or otherwise applied to the bio-based material or a packaging thereof.

[0014] The computer-readable indicator may comprise an electronic memory, with stored thereon data indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier. The electronic memory may be provided on an NFC, RFID, or other type of chip with which wireless or wired communication is possible to access the data on the electronic memory. Preferably, the electronic memory is read-only, to prevent tampering with data on the electronic memory.

[0015] When the bio-based material is provided with the computer- readable indicator, on an optional packaging and / or on the material itself, it becomes possible to derive from the bio-based material itself material data. The material data is typically stored in a database on an electronic memory, where material data is associated with one or more natural resources via the unique natural resource identifier.

[0016] In the context of the present disclosure, a natural resource can refer to a single plant or a set of plants. A plant may be any living thing that is not an animal, including algae and fungi. For example, a plant may be a tree, or a grass. In a particular example, the natural resource includes one or more plants from the genus Paulownia or Miscanthus. The bio-based material may thus comprise fibres derived from a plant of the genus Paulownia or Miscanthus. As further examples, any natural resource may include one or more fast-growing plants for fast production of biomass, in particular in the form of fibres. Fast-growing plants can for example be grassy and / or woody plants, for example hemp, flax or bamboo. The unique natural resource identifier is used to be able to connect material data to the correct natural resource, and to couple the correct natural resource or resources to the bio-based material. A unique natural resource identifier may be unique to a single natural resource, or unique to a group of natural resources which have material data in common, such as origin data, location data, storage data, and / or processing data.

[0017] To be able to associate material data with the correct natural resource, the natural resource may be provided with one or more indicators indicative of a unique natural resource identifier. The indicator may be a computer-readable indicator, but it is additionally or alternatively also envisioned to use a location of the natural resource as the indicator, which location may be stored as location data.

[0018] Material data may be indicative of any combination of:

[0019] Unique natural resource identifier;

[0020] Origin data;

[0021] - Location data;

[0022] Storage data; and / or

[0023] - Processing data.

[0024] Origin data as part of the material data may be indicative of a species, genus, a particular tissue culture, a cutting of a particular plant, any other type of scientific classification, manufacturer, breeder, a certification and / or classification of a particular manufacturer, any other indication of origin, or any combination thereof, of the natural resource. Using the origin data, retrieved using the computer-readable indicator of the bio-based material, the origin of the biological material in the bio-based material may be retrieved, even when the bio-based material has been processed up to such a degree that it is not possible or feasible to determine the origin of the biological material from the bio-based material itself.

[0025] Location data may be indicative of a location where germination of a seed has taken place. Germination may have taken place in a controlled environment, such as a laboratory. Location data may as such be indicative of a particular laboratory where germination of the seed has taken place. Additionally, or alternatively, location data may be indicative of any location where the natural resource has grown. For example, location data may be indicative of any location where starting material of the natural resource has been located, where starting material may be a seed, seedling, young plant, cutting, bulb, tuber, plant division, grafting material, tissue culture, micropropagation, spores, runners, stolons, suckers, shoots, or any other type of starting material.

[0026] In general, location data may comprise coordinates indicating a location, for example a latitude and / or longitude. Location data may be accurate up to ten metres, one metres, or even 10 centimetres. Additionally, or alternatively, location data may be indicative of a particular location on a plot of land, for example when the plot of land is divided into sub-plots. Additionally, or alternatively, location data may indicative of a city, town, village, a particular dwelling, farm, laboratory, company building, or any other type of location. It will be appreciated that a single natural resource may grow at a plurality of locations, at different phases in the lifetime of the natural resource. Location data may thus be indicative of multiple locations, preferably sorted relative to each other based on a time at which the natural resource was present at a particular location.

[0027] Storage data is indicative of any one or more natural compounds stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource. Examples of natural compounds which may be stored in any natural resource are carbon, carbon dioxide, any other carbon compound present in the carbon cycle, nitrogen, any compound comprising nitrogen, such as ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, NOx, fertilizer, or any other compound present in the nitrogen cycle, and water. When storage data is stored on a memory, the amount of one or more natural compounds stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource over time can be traced. The storage data may for example be used to obtain carbon credits, or more in general to provide evidence on how a bio-based material complies with sustainability requirements. A natural compound stored is stored in the natural resource as such, whereas a natural compound absorbed is converted into one or more other compounds in one or more chemical processes.

[0028] When storage data can be retrieved using the computer-readable indicator of the bio-based material, also after the natural resource has been processed into the bio-based material, it can be verified what amount of one or more natural compounds have been stored and / or absorbed.

[0029] Processing data as material data is indicative of one or more process steps in which a bio-based material is formed using one or more natural resources. Process steps may include harvesting, cleaning, any physical treatment, any chemical treatment, for example heat treatment or treatment with any chemical compound, mixing with other compounds, such as a matrix material to form a composite fibre material, any finishing step, such as sanding, coating, sawing, milling, or any combination thereof.

[0030] Any of the material data may be associated with a particular moment in time, or a particular span of time. By comparing material data from different moments in time, changes in the material data may be determined.

[0031] As a preferred option, the material data is stored in a blockchain. As such, on the electronic memory, one or more hashes of previously versions of material data can be stored. By virtue of the hashes, it may be verified that previously stored material data is not tampered with. At least part of the material data on the electronic memory may thus be hashed using a cryptographic algorithm. Material data, or data derived from material data, may be stored as one or more Non-Fungable Tokens (NFTs) on a blockchain.

[0032] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a system, comprising a bio-based material according to the first aspect, and an electronic memory, with stored thereon material data, wherein at least part of the material data stored on the electronic memory is associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier.

[0033] Any system may as an option comprise a computer device. The computer device may comprise a scanner arranged to obtain the unique natural resource identifier from the computer-readable indicator of the biobased material. The scanner may for example be a barcode scanner, camera, antenna for receiving a wireless signal from an electronic chip with an electronic memory and an antenna for accessing the electronic memory, or any other type of scanner arranged to interact with an electronic chip to read data from an electronic memory of the electronic chip. The computer device may comprise an electronic processing unit and programming, which when executed by the electronic processing unit, causes the electronic processing unit to use data obtained by the scanner to derive the unique natural resource identifier.

[0034] The computer device is preferably in communication with the electronic memory such that material data on the electronic memory can be accessed by the computer device. Any data connection may be used for the communication of data between the computer device and the electronic memory, for example an internet connection.

[0035] A third aspect provides a method of registering material data, the method comprising receiving first material data on a natural resource; determining, using at least part of the received first material data, a unique natural resource identifier of the natural resource; and, in an electronic memory, storing at least part of the first material data in association with the unique natural resource identifier.

[0036] To obtain material data, it is envisioned to use a sensor device. By moving the sensor device past one or more natural resources, material data may be gathered. Typically, multiple natural resources are positioned in vicinity of each other. As such, the same sensor device can be used to obtain material data on multiple natural resources, in particular when the sensor device is moved past the natural resources.

[0037] Preferably, the sensor device comprises one or more cameras, and the material data comprises graphical data obtained using the one or more cameras. By processing the graphical data, further material data such as storage data may be obtained. Processing the graphical data may be performed by any computer device, with an electronic processing unit provided with programming, which when executed by the electronic processing unit causes the electronic processing unit to process the graphical data. From the graphical data, for example a volume of at least part of the natural resource, such as a stem or trunk, may be derived. When the natural resource is provided with a graphical representation of a unique natural resource identifier, the unique natural resource identifier may be derived from the graphical data.

[0038] For any method of registering material data, the method may further comprise, using an electronic processor, using at least part of the first material data, determining an amount of at least one natural compound stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource, and storing the determined amount of at least one natural compound stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource as storage data in the electronic memory in association with the unique natural resource identifier. The electronic processor may be comprised by the sensor device, or any other generic computer device with programming which, when executed by the electronic processor, causes the electronic processor to determine the amount of at least one natural resources stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource using at least part of the first material data. Similarly, also second and further material data may be processed to determine an amount of at least one natural resources stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource at one or more different moments in time. It is thus envisioned that the method of registering material data further comprises steps of receiving second material data on the natural resource, wherein the second material data has been obtained at a later time than the first material data; determining, using at least part of the received second material data, the unique natural resource identifier of the natural resource; and in an electronic memory, storing at least part of the second material data in association with the unique natural resource identifier. The first material data and the second material data may be compared to obtain further material data, for example indicative of a growth of the natural resource.

[0039] A fourth aspect provides a method of forming a bio-based material, the method comprising steps of providing at least one natural resource, which natural resource is accompanied with a unique natural resource identifier and forming the bio-based material using the at least one natural resource. The method further comprises at least one of packaging the bio-based material in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer- readable indicator, and / or providing the bio-based material itself with a computer-readable indicator. The computer-readable indicator is indicative of the unique natural resource identifier.

[0040] With the computer-readable indicator, it becomes possible to obtain material data via the bio-based material, which material data is indicative of one or more natural resources used to form the bio-based material. The biobased material is preferably a bio-based material according to the first aspect.

[0041] A fifth aspect provides a method of obtaining material data of a biobased material, the method comprising steps of: using a scanner of a computer device, obtaining a unique natural resource identifier from a computer- readable indicator of the bio-based material, and obtaining the material data associated with said unique natural resource identifier from an electronic memory with stored thereon material data on multiple unique natural resources. The scanner may be any scanner disclosed herein. The bio-based material is preferably a bio-based material according to the first aspect.

[0042] Any method according to the fifth aspect may comprise a step of visualising at least part of the obtained material data on an electronic display. The electronic display may be comprised by any computer device, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any other electronic computer.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0044] In the figures,

[0045] FIG 1A shows a system at a first instance in time;

[0046] FIG IB shows the system at a second instance in time;

[0047] FIG 10 shows the system at a third instance in time;

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG 1A shows a first instance in time, in which a seed has germinated into a plant 101. The plant 101 is an example of a natural resource. Alternatively to germinating the seed into the plant 101, the plant 101 may be formed with any plant propagation technique, including but not limited to cutting, using division, using grafting, by culturing tissue, by micropropagation, using spores, runners, stolons, suckers, shoots, seedlings, young plants, or any other technique and / or starting material.

[0050] Next to the plant 101, an electronic memory 200 is depicted. Together, the plant 101 and the electronic memory 200 form system 100. The plant 101 may for example belong the genus Paulownia or Miscanthus.

[0051] Any instance in time may be a discrete instance, or represent a timespan of for example hours or days, or even weeks, months, or years.

[0052] Preferably, the plant 101 is assigned a unique natural resource identifier 201, which is stored in the electronic memory 200. For example, a user may input the unique natural resource identifier 201 into the memory 200, or the unique natural resource identifier 201 may be automatically generated and stored into the memory 200. Preferably, the unique natural resource identifier 201 is also provided to the plant 101, such that the unique natural resource identifier 201 can travel together with the plant 101, e.g. to another location where the plant 101 will grow, or to a processing site where the plant 101 is formed into a bio-based material. For example, a label may be connected to the plant 101, which label carries the unique natural resource identifier 201 or data representative of the unique natural resource identifier 201. The label may be a physical label with one or more markings, letters, numbers, symbols, barcodes, QR-codes, displayed thereon. The label may alternatively comprise an electronic memory with stored thereon the unique natural resource identifier 201. The label may be any computer-readable indicator disclosed herein.

[0053] At the first instance in time, schematically depicted in FIG 1A, the plant 101 is present at a first location, which for example may be a controlled environment, such as a laboratory or any other controlled growing site where seeds can germinate into plants. A controlled environment may for example be an indoor location, at which water and / or light and / or nutrients supplied to the plant 101 can be controlled. The first location can be stored in the electronic memory 200 as location data 202. The location data 202 is assigned to the unique natural resource identifier 201 of the plant 101. The controlled environment may, alternatively to a controlled growing site where seeds can germinate into plant, be any controlled growing site, at which cutting, division, grafting, tissue culturing, micropropagation, growth of spores, runners, stolons, suckers, shoots, seedlings, young plants, or any other growth technique with any starting material can take place. Alternatively to a controlled growing site, the first location may be any outdoor location subject to local weather conditions.

[0054] At the first instance in time, schematically depicted in FIG 1A, origin data 203 on the plant 101 may be stored in the electronic memory 200. The origin data 203 is assigned to the unique natural resource identifier 201 of the plant 101. Origin data 203 may for example be provided to the electronic memory 200 by a user.

[0055] It will be understood that in general, for any system, the electronic memory 200 may be located at a different location than the natural resource or resources on which material data is stored in the electronic memory. The electronic memory 200 may be comprised by a server, accessible for example via the internet.

[0056] FIG IB shows a second instance in time, which is after the first instance in time depicted in FIG 1A. Between the first and second instances in time, the plant 101 has been optionally transported to a second location, and the plant 101 is allowed to grow at the second location. It will be appreciated that a plant may be transported any number of times to any number of locations. The second location may be an outdoor location, and may as such be less controlled than the first location. The second location may be on a field, in a forest, or at any other outdoor location.

[0057] Because the plant 101 has as the option moved to the second location, the location data 202 in the electronic memory is appended with the second location. Preferably, the first location remains part of the location data 202, such that at a later moment, also the first location can still be retrieved.

[0058] At the second location, the plant 101 as the example of the natural resource is allowed to grow further. During growth, the plant 101 stores and / or absorbs natural compounds. It is an object of the present disclosure to allow the amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource to be tracked and registered. Any data relating to the amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource is referred to as storage data, which storage data is an example of material data. The present disclosure contemplates an option wherein using the unique natural resource identifier obtained from the computer-readable indicator of a bio-based material, material data may be retrieved from an electronic memory which allows a user to determine an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource used to form the bio-based material. When the natural compound is or comprises carbon, carbon credits may be calculated using the storage data.

[0059] In any method of registering material data disclosed herein, a sensor device 400 may be used for obtaining material data. The sensor device 400 comprises one or more sensors 402, which sensors may for example be arranged for obtaining location data and / or storage data, and / or data which can be used to determine location data and / or storage data. Preferably, the sensor device 400 comprises a propulsion module (not shown) which allows the sensor device 400 to be moved along multiple natural resources. The propulsion module may for example allow transport over land, through the air, and / or through water. The propulsion module may comprise one or more wheels, tracks, propellers, motors, and / or any other component required for movement over land, through air, and / or through water.

[0060] In a particular example, the sensor device 400 is arranged to obtain data indicative of a size of at least part of a natural resource, for example data indicative of a volume of at least part of a natural resource. Data indicative of the size of the at least part of the natural resource may for example be a diameter of a trunk or stem of the plant 101. Using data indicative of the size of the at least part of the natural resource, the size of the plant 101 or at least the size of part of the plant 101 may be estimated. Any number of mathematical models may be used which receive as input storage data, such as a trunk diameter, to determine an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource.

[0061] In particular by comparing storage data from two instances in time, an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource in the time period between the two instances in time may be determined. Advantageously, this allows determination of the amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource while the natural resource is still growing, instead of only being able to determine the amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource after harvesting the natural resource.

[0062] In general, the size of at least part of a natural resource may be used to estimate or otherwise calculate an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource. The amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource is material data, in particular storage data.

[0063] It is envisioned that a sensor device 400 is used at two or more separate instance in time, to obtain material data at multiple instances. By comparing material data, in particular storage data, from multiple instances, for example a change in size of at least part of a natural resource may be determined, which change in size may be indicative of an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource. For example, storage data on any natural resource may be obtained monthly, quarterly, or yearly.

[0064] Typically, multiple natural resource are located close to each other. In order to be able to associate the correct storage data with the correct natural resource, as an example applicable in any method disclosed herein, location data may be used. When storage data is obtained by the sensor device 400 on a particular natural resource, also location data may be obtained on said natural resource. The location data may be compared to location data already stored on the electronic memory, to obtain the unique natural resource identifier to associate the storage data with. It may be generally assumed that the location of the natural resource remains the same when the natural resource is not actively transported. Additionally, or alternatively, the sensor device may be arranged to derive a unique natural resource identifier 201 when such an identifier is provided on or with the natural resource 101, for example on a computer-readable indicator. The sensor device 400 may thus comprise any scanner disclosed herein. FIG 1C shows a third instance in time, at which bio-based material 103 has been formed using at least part of the plant 101, and optionally any number of further natural resources and / or any non-bio-based compound or compounds. For forming the bio-based material 103 from at least part of the plant 101, the at least part of the plant 101 has to be processed. Processing of the at least part of the plant 101 may comprise any number of chemical and / or mechanical processes. As an option, processing data 205 indicative of one or more or all processing steps for forming the bio-based material may be stored in the electronic memory 205. The bio-based material 103 may for example be a composite material comprising fibres derived from the plant 101, preferably for use as a construction material.

[0065] According to the present disclosure, it is envisioned to provide the bio-based material 103 itself, and / or an optional packaging of the bio-based material 103, with a computer-readable indicator 105 indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier. In FIG 1C, a barcode is depicted as an example of a computer-readable indicator 105. It will be appreciated that the barcode may be substituted by any other one or more computer-readable indicators disclosed herein.

[0066] The system 100 as depicted in FIG 1C further comprises an optional computer device 300. The computer device 300 comprises a scanner 310 arranged to obtain the unique natural resource identifier from the computer-readable indicator 105. The scanner 310 may for example comprise a barcode scanner, camera, and / or other sensor for obtaining graphical data, in particular when the computer-readable indicator is a graphical indicator. An electronic processing unit of the computer device 300 may be used to process data obtained by the scanner 310 to derive the unique natural resource identifier. The scanner 310 may additionally or alternatively be arranged for wired or wireless communication with the computer-readable indicator, when the computer-readable indicator comprises an electronic memory, with stored thereon data indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier. For example, the scanner 310 may comprise an RFID or NFC-scanner.

[0067] One or more or all of the above-mentioned steps of storing the unique natural resource identifier 201, location data 202, origin data 203, storage data 204, and / or processing data 205 can be considered part of a method of registering material data. All of the unique natural resource identifier 201, location data 202, origin data 203, storage data 204, and / or processing data 205 are considered material data.

[0068] In general, in any electronic memory 200 disclosed herein, material data on multiple natural resources may be stored. As such, multiple, for example tens, hundreds, or even thousands or more, of unique natural resource identifiers and material data associated therewith may be stored on the electronic memory 200. To ensure that the material data stored previously is not tampered with, preferably, the material data is stored in a blockchain comprising a hash of a previous version of the material data. By virtue of the hash, it may be verified that previously stored material data has not been tampered with.

Claims

Claims1. A bio-based material, wherein: the bio-based material is provided in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer-readable indicator and / or the bio-based material itself is provided with a computer-readable indicator; and the computer-readable indicator is indicative of at least one unique natural resource identifier.

2. The bio-based material according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based material itself is provided with the computer-readable indicator.

3. The bio-based material according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biobased material is a construction material.

4. The bio-based material according to any of the preceding claims, comprising fibres of natural origin.

5. The bio-based material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bio-based material comprises fibres derived from a plant of the genus Paulownia.

6. The bio-based material according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bio-based material comprises fibres derived from a plant of the genus Miscanthus.

7. System, comprising: a bio-based material according to any of the preceding claims; and an electronic memory, with stored thereon material data, wherein at least part of the material data stored on the electronic memory is associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the material data is indicative of: origin data indicative of a species of a natural resource associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier; location data, indicative of one or more locations where a natural resource associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier has grown; storage data, indicative of an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in a natural resource associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier; and / or processing data, indicative of a process in which the bio-based material has been formed using a natural resource associated with the at least one unique natural resource identifier.

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising: a computer device, comprising a scanner arranged to obtain the unique natural resource identifier from the computer-readable indicator of the bio-based material.

10. System according to claim 9, wherein the computer device is in communication with the electronic memory such that material data on the electronic memory can be accessed by the computer device.

11. Method of registering material data, comprising: receiving first material data on a natural resource; determining, using at least part of the received first material data, a unique natural resource identifier of the natural resource; and in an electronic memory, storing at least part of the first material data in association with the unique natural resource identifier.

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising: moving a sensor device past the natural resource to gather the first material data.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first material data is indicative of a size of the natural resource14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the size is a diameter of a trunk or stem of the natural resource.

15. Method according to any of the claims 12-14, to the extent dependent on claim 12, wherein the sensor device has a propulsion module which allows the sensor device to be moved along multiple natural resources, for example over land, through the air, and / or through water.

16. Method according to any of the claims 12-15, to the extent dependent on claim 12, wherein the sensor device comprises one or more cameras, and the first material data comprises graphical data obtained using the one or more cameras.

17. Method according to any of the claims 11-16, further comprising: using an electronic processor, using at least part of the first material data, determining an amount of at least one natural compound stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource; and storing the determined amount of at least one natural compound stored in and / or absorbed by the natural resource as storage data in the electronic memory in association with the unique natural resource identifier.

18. Method according to any of the claims 11-17, further comprising:receiving second material data on the natural resource, wherein the second material data has been obtained at a later time than the first material data; determining, using at least part of the received second material data, the unique natural resource identifier of the natural resource; and in the electronic memory, storing at least part of the second material data in association with the unique natural resource identifier.

19. Method according to claim 18, further comprising comparing the first material data and the second material data to determine further material data indicative of a growth of the natural resource.

20. Method according to claim 18, further comprising comparing the first material data and the second material data to determine an amount of one or more natural compounds stored and / or absorbed in the natural resource.

21. Method of forming a bio-based material, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one natural resource, which natural resource is accompanied with a unique natural resource identifier; forming the bio-based material using the at least one natural resource; and at least one of: packaging the bio-based material in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer-readable indicator; or providing the bio-based material itself with a computer-readable indicator; wherein the computer-readable indicator is indicative of the unique natural resource identifier.

22. Method according to claim 21, wherein the bio-based material is a bio-based material according to any of the claims 1-6.

23. Method according to any of the claims 21-22, wherein providing the at least one natural resource comprises: growing the natural resource at a first location, storing the first location as location data in an electronic memory, and assigning the location data to the unique natural resource identifier; and transporting the natural resource to a second location, appending the location data in the electronic memory with the second location, and allowing the natural resource to grow further at the second location.

24. Method according to any of the claims 21-23, wherein the natural resource is provided with a computer-readable indicator indicative of the unique natural resource identifier.

25. Method according to any of the claims 21-24, comprising: providing multiple natural resources, each natural resource accompanied with a respective unique natural resource identifier; forming the bio-based material using the multiple natural resources; and at least one of: packaging the bio-based material in a packaging, which packaging is provided with a computer-readable indicator; or providing the bio-based material itself with a computer-readable indicator; wherein the computer-readable indicator is indicative of the unique natural resource identifier of each of the multiple natural resources.

26. Method of obtaining material data of a bio-based material, the method comprising steps of:using a scanner of a computer device, obtaining a unique natural resource identifier from a computer-readable indicator of the bio-based material; and obtaining the material data associated with said unique natural resource identifier from an electronic memory with stored thereon material data on multiple unique natural resources.

27. Method according to claim 26, further comprising a step of visualising at least part of the obtained material data on an electronic display.

28. Method according to any of the claims 21-27, wherein the bio-based material is a bio-based material according to any of the claims 1-6.

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