B.I.G. has been part of pilot project on Digital Product Passports in the PVC sector

As part of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) collaborated with industry partners RENOLIT and Sioen to explore the potential of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in the PVC sector. The initiative was supported by VinylPlus, the European PVC industry association.

Exploring digital watermarking

Flex-ID is the name of the pilot project focused on developing and testing digital passports for three types of PVC products: vinyl flooring, roofing membranes and tarpaulins.
For B.I.G.’s vinyl flooring, we explored how a Digital Product Passport could be integrated without adding extra costs or affecting the design. The study focused on one particularly promising solution for the sector: the digital watermark. Embedded directly into the product and printed during production in a single step, this invisible mark makes product information instantly accessible, without the need for additional labels or tags.

The future of Digital Product Passports

Digital Product Passports could play a key role in the transition to a more circular economy. They enable more efficient product traceability and recycling, while offering greater transparency to customers and partners. At the same time, there are important challenges to address, such as data management, intellectual property protection, and ensuring that different digital systems and data sources can communicate and exchange information smoothly.
Throughout the project, B.I.G. maintained regular contact with industry peers and relevant stakeholders to exchange insights and experiences. This open dialogue is essential in research-driven initiatives like this one.

You can find more information about the project and the white paper on the VinylPlus website.