Nulara at E-Cycle INNOSPRINT Dortmund: Innovation Against E-Waste
How the Digital Product Passport contributes to solving the electronic waste problem
From November 17 to 26, 2025, Dortmund became the meeting point for innovators, startups, and thought leaders working on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: electronic waste. We were honored to participate in the E-Cycle INNOSPRINT, bringing our perspective on how Digital Product Passports can enable real solutions for the e-waste crisis.
The Challenge: 60 Million Tons of E-Waste Annually
Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide. Old smartphones, discarded laptops, broken appliances - they contain valuable materials that could be recovered, yet most ends up in landfills or is improperly recycled. The problem isn't just environmental. It's economic: we're literally throwing away billions of euros worth of materials each year. The INNOSPRINT tackled this challenge head-on, bringing together diverse perspectives to find innovative solutions.
Our Contribution: Data as the Foundation
At the event, we shared how Digital Product Passports create the information layer that enables effective e-waste management. When you know exactly what materials a product contains, how to disassemble it safely, and where its components can be reused or recycled, suddenly the circular economy becomes practical. We demonstrated how our AI-powered platform can capture, standardize, and share this critical product data across the entire lifecycle.
Key Insights from the Event
- Collaboration between startups, established companies, and research institutions is essential for systemic change
- Policy frameworks like ESPR are creating real momentum, but implementation support is needed
- Technology exists to solve many e-waste challenges - the barriers are often organizational and informational
- Consumer awareness is growing, creating market demand for sustainable electronics
- Cities like Dortmund can be catalysts for innovation through focused initiatives
Thank You
We extend our sincere thanks to the City of Dortmund, Greenhouse Innovation Hub, and all organizing partners for creating this valuable platform for exchange and innovation. Events like INNOSPRINT remind us that meaningful change happens when we come together.
What We Learned
Beyond the presentations and workshops, the most valuable part of INNOSPRINT was the conversations. Talking with recyclers about their data challenges, with manufacturers about their compliance concerns, with researchers about emerging technologies - these exchanges shape how we build our solutions. We returned with new ideas, new connections, and renewed conviction that our work matters.
Looking Ahead
The e-waste challenge won't be solved by any single company or initiative. It requires systemic change - in how products are designed, used, and ultimately recycled. We're committed to being part of that change, providing the data infrastructure that makes circular economy principles actionable. If you're working on similar challenges, we'd love to connect.
