Chemical Material Passports Using DIDs for Environmental Traceability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In complex supply chains, particularly in the chemistry sector, achieving transparency about the environmental impact of output materials across value chain participants is challenging due to the complexity and lack of transparency between participants.
Innovation Solution
A system is developed that includes a chemical production network producing output materials from input materials through chemical processes, where these processes and materials are associated with environmental attributes. A production operating apparatus generates an output material passport or digital asset by providing a decentral identifier linked to these environmental attributes, enabling secure and transparent data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a centralized data system is used to track environmental attributes, then data transparency is improved, but system complexity and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decentralized identifier (DID) as an intermediary that mediates between the material passport data and the verification system. The DID acts as a secure reference key that links to environmental attribute information stored in a decentralized manner, enabling transparency without requiring a centralized data repository. This resolves the contradiction by providing information access while avoiding centralized system complexity and security vulnerabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of environmental attribute information through material passports that can be independently verified. Instead of accessing a central database, each material carries its own copied environmental information in the form of a material passport linked via DID. This allows multiple parties to verify the same information simultaneously without needing a centralized system, reducing system complexity while maintaining transparency.
2Loss of information
If detailed environmental attribute data is tracked for all materials, then transparency is improved, but data security and privacy risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decentralized identifier serves as a mediator that provides secure access to environmental attribute information. Instead of exposing raw data directly, the DID acts as a controlled access key that allows verification of environmental attributes without compromising the underlying data security. The material passport system uses this intermediary to provide transparency while maintaining data protection through cryptographic security mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different levels of data access and verification for different stakeholders. Each material passport contains environmental attributes that can be verified locally without exposing the complete data set to all parties. The DID enables selective disclosure of environmental information, providing transparency where needed while maintaining security and privacy where not required.
3Device complexity
If manual tracking of environmental attributes is used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but tracking accuracy and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of environmental attribute information into material passports that are automatically generated and linked to materials via decentralized identifiers. This digital copy mechanism eliminates manual tracking while ensuring high accuracy through automated data capture and cryptographic verification. The system maintains low implementation complexity by using standardized digital formats that can be integrated into existing production systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with automated digital verification systems. Instead of physically tracking and verifying environmental attributes through manual processes, the system uses digital material passports with DIDs that can be automatically verified by scanning or digital access. This substitution dramatically improves tracking accuracy and efficiency while keeping implementation complexity manageable through standardized digital protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems for producing an output material associated with a digital asset, methods for producing an output material associated with a digital asset, apparatuses for generating a digital asset, computer-implemented methods for generating a chemical passport, computer program elements for generating a digital asset, uses of an output material associated with a digital asset, uses of a digital asset, products produced from the output material and associated with a digital asset, a digital asset including one or more decentral identifier(s) and data related to the environmental impact data, apparatuses for producing a product associated with the digital asset and methods for producing a product associated with the digital asset.