A spotlight on the Digital Product Passport

Manufacturers of upholstered furniture and mattresses face a major challenge when it comes to recycling: it’s often unclear what materials these products contain and how they can be recycled effectively. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) have been developed to capture information about constituent materials. These digital records provide comprehensive information about a product’s components, repairability and disposal options.

The Textile & Machinery Trend Forum at the upcoming edition of interzum will be devoted to the introduction of an EU Digital Product Passport in the mattress and upholstered furniture sectors. The subject of the special event, which is being presented in cooperation with Vincentz Network, is traceability – the possibility of reviewing each step of a production process, with a focus on economic, legal and environmental considerations. The DPP system gives each product its own individual digital identity, providing detailed insights into its origin, materials and environmental impacts.

The introduction of Digital Product Passports in the EU aims to make information about specific products accessible to the relevant stakeholders. For manufacturers, this means more intelligent data management, simplified traceability and seamless integration into the circular economy. For consumers, the DPP is a powerful tool that can help them to choose sustainable products. The recycling process will be supported thanks to the availability of a standardised summary of the product data.

Institutions such as the Association of the German Home Textile Industry (Heimtex) are currently defining the exact parameters of the DPP. “Within the German Mattress Industry Association (Fachverband Matratzen Industrie), working groups are striving to lay the foundations for a circular economy in the industry,” explains Matthias Reuter, Circular Economy Officer at the association. “This includes developing concepts for circular product design and introducing Digital Product Passports that provide transparency about material composition and recycling options.”

About a year ago, the inaugural meeting of FURNITURE-X took place in Cologne. This is the name of a consortium campaigning in the German furniture industry for the widespread introduction of a Digital Product Passport that will work in practice. In cooperation with the Wuppertal Institute and RWTH Aachen University, FURNITURE-X aims to harness potential synergies and to raise awareness among companies in the industry.

As the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) comes into force, introducing DPPs will become mandatory. For companies, compliance with the process is therefore not only vital to future business in the EU, but also key to remaining competitive. “Implementing the Digital Product Passport is a major challenge, but offers long-term opportunities for a sustainable and circular furniture industry,” says Julia Mauer from Vincentz Network, who is supporting the Textile & Machinery Trend Forum. “The industry must invest in digital solutions, supply chain transparency and standardization, while politicians must create clear framework conditions and incentives to facilitate implementation.” The special event at interzum from May 20 to 23, 2025 will provide a unique opportunity for attendees to learn more about the DPP and gain valuable insights.