A Blockchain-Based Digital Product Passport System Providing a Federated Learning Environment for Collaboration Between Recycling Centers and Manufacturers to Enable Recycling Automation

Min Ji Kim, Cheol Hyeon Han, Kyung Jin Park, Ji Sung Moon and Jumyung Um ()
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Min Ji Kim: Department of Artificial Intelligence, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
Cheol Hyeon Han: Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
Kyung Jin Park: Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
Ji Sung Moon: Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
Jumyung Um: Department of Artificial Intelligence, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-25

Abstract: As the global emphasis on sustainable resource management intensifies, the need for efficient recycling automation becomes critical. This paper addresses the integration of blockchain technology and federated learning to enhance the automation and efficiency of recycling processes. The authors propose a novel digital product passport system that utilizes blockchain for secure data sharing and federated learning for continuous improvement of recycling automation models. Manufacturers develop baseline models using synthetic data, which are then refined by recycling centers using real-world data. The updated models are aggregated through a federated averaging algorithm. Our experimental results demonstrate that the integrated system not only enhances the accuracy and efficiency of recycling processes but also ensures the privacy and security of data across different stakeholders. The performance of the federated models shows significant improvement over traditional recycling methods. This paper provides a scalable and secure framework that supports the circular economy by enabling enhanced collaboration between manufacturers and recycling centers. The blockchain-based digital product passport system ensures data integrity and transparency, contributing to more sustainable recycling practices.

Keywords: digital product passport; recycling automation; circular economy; federated learning; smart factory (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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