Digital Product Passport Design Supporting the Circular Economy Based on the Asset Administration Shell

Maximilian Kühn (), Michael Baumann, Friedrich Volz and Ljiljana Stojanovic
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Maximilian Kühn: Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Michael Baumann: Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Friedrich Volz: Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Ljiljana Stojanovic: Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-24

Abstract: This paper investigates the design of a digital product passport (DPP) model based on the asset administration shell (AAS) framework to support the circular economy while ensuring cross-industry applicability. In a circular economy, resources are continuously reused, fostering more sustainable manufacturing. The European Commission’s initiatives target this issue, with the DPP playing a critical role in sharing product sustainability information, such as product composition and repairability, throughout its lifecycle. However, a widely applicable DPP approach has yet to be established. This study consolidates existing standards, and scientific literature to develop a data model that aligns with circular economy principles. Using the AAS framework initially developed by the Plattform Industrie 4.0, we mapped the data requirements to submodel templates and addressed gaps in the data needed for real-life implementation. The results demonstrate that the proposed DPP data model is specific enough for practical use cases, such as the upcoming EU battery passport, while remaining flexible enough for application across various industries. The AAS framework’s adaptability and comprehensive data exchange capabilities make it a suitable foundation for developing DPPs that support the transition to a circular economy.

Keywords: circular economy; digital product passport; asset administration shell; Industry 4.0; sustainable manufacturing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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