Digital Technologies for Sustainable Product Management in the Circular Economy

This chapter provides comprehensive insights into the potential of digital technologies for sustainable product management (SPM). Four key technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Big Data analytics, the Internet of Things, and blockchain) and their application for SPM are presented and discussed. Their potential is explored with regard to Life Cycle Assessment and Product Service Systems. Furthermore, the concept of the digital product passport is discussed, and their use in an SPM context is illustrated with reference to electric vehicle batteries. This chapter concludes with a critical reflection on the deployment of digital technologies for SPM and associated challenges relating to ethical and sustainability concerns.