Digital Product Passport for Circular Construction: A Framework Based on Life Cycle Perspective

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the largest industrial sectors, characterized by resource intensity, carbon emissions, and waste generation. The increasing demand for new housing and renovations for older buildings, alongside the imperative for energy-efficient buildings, place significant pressure on nations to address housing issues while concurrently preserving the environment. The building life cycle typically spans 50 to 100 years. The dissociation among stakeholders and the scarcity of data concerning building construction over its lifetime highlights the necessity for a digital product passport (DPP) that synchronizes data and fosters collaboration among stakeholders. Though previous literature has examined DPP implementation in the construction sector for circular economy practices, the findings are fragmented and there is a lack of research which could provide a comprehensive understanding of how DPP from a data point of view could facilitate circular economy practices in the construction sector. Drawing on a literature review of 25 articles from SCOPUS, the paper presents a framework that illustrates the role of data in a DPP in creating value to the stakeholders of the construction sector throughout the life cycle of a building. Further, future research directions are suggested on exploring data strategies for DPP implementation, based on the data requirements and their role in building DPPs, as well as the challenges that may arise, to ensure effective collaboration among stakeholders towards circularity.