The TRICK project has made significant advancements in traceability, circularity, and sustainability, pushing the boundaries of existing practices:
1. Innovative Data Management: TRICK introduced a blockchain-based traceability system that combines smart contracts and AI to ensure data integrity, privacy, and interoperability, addressing greenwashing and fraudulent declarations. Its enriched event model enables end-to-end product tracking, aligning with the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) requirements.
2. Circular Economy Practices: The project demonstrated the feasibility of integrating recycled materials into textiles, establishing an optimal threshold of 20% recycled content without compromising quality. Modular designs for technical textiles were developed to facilitate disassembly and recycling, addressing current gaps in EU recycling technologies.
3. Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Studies: Detailed lifecycle assessments comparing virgin and recycled fiber products refined EU PEF guidelines and enhanced environmental reporting. Automated tools for impact assessments make compliance accessible for SMEs.
4. B2B Marketplace: TRICK created a scalable marketplace offering SMEs affordable access to services like traceability, circularity assessments, PEF evaluations, and anti-counterfeiting tools.
Potential Impacts: the TRICK project successfully delivered a universal, scalable solution for traceability and transparency, achieving its objectives and providing a robust platform for industries transitioning to sustainable and circular production systems. Its findings highlight the importance of data standardization, blockchain integration, and consumer engagement in achieving EU environmental and economic goals. TRICK sets a foundation for future advancements, emphasizing the need for continued investment in recycling technologies, regulatory frameworks, and industry collaboration.