CSSA, Layfield, London Drugs, NOVA Chemicals, Merlin Plastics, Recycle BC, Return-It, Save on Foods, and V.I.P. Soap has joined BASF in a project that utilizes blockchain to trace plastic by its lifecycle. Named reciChain, the project uses a blockchain solution provided by SMX with a physical marker that allows the secured sharing of transaction data. It is designed to enhance the sorting, tracing, and monitoring of plastics throughout the value chain.

For the pilot project in Vancouver, BASF partners with Deloitte as a strategic advisor. Participants are providing in-kind contributions to allow the pilot’s feasibility, such as testing, plastic material, and technical expertise.

“We are grateful to count on broad stakeholder representation throughout the whole lifecycle of plastics, including polymerization and recycling,” said Marcelo Lu, president of BASF Canada in a statement. “With their support, along with the disruptive technology from Security Matters, our pilot will allow us to move from concepts and policy dialogue to tangible solutions in making advances in plastic circularity possible in Canada.”

Also, read – Blockchain can be used to bring digital assets into the workplace

Both flexible and rigid plastic products will be utilized during the pilot to trial the marker technology’s feasibility in the contrary logistics process. The pilot will enable users to access and confirm information affiliated with the production of the material, helping producers’ recycled content targets and retailers’ plastic waste diversion targets.

The pilot will also involve parallel trialing of BASF’s trinamiX Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Solution, a hand-held scanner that recognizes and documents the composition of plastic material. The project is being verified in British Columbia’s local supply chain. BASF’s vision is to extend reciChain across Canada.