Future Proofing Your Business for the 2026 European Market
As the European market continues to grow, businesses are faced with new challenges and opportunities. From changing consumer preferences to stricter regulations, companies must adapt quickly to stay competitive. But what if there was a way to not just keep up with these changes, but to stay ahead of the curve?
There are two key concepts that are set to reshape the future of business in Europe. Digital Product Passport (DPPs) and the circular economy. DPPs are digital tools that provide comprehensive information about a product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. By giving consumers and businesses unprecedented transparency into the products they buy and sell, DPPs are paving the way for a more sustainable and trustworthy market.
But DPPs are just one piece of the puzzle. To truly future proof your business, you must also implement the principles of the circular economy. This means moving away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model and towards a more sustainable approach that keeps resources in use for as long as possible.
In this article, we'll dive deeper into the world of DPPs and the circular economy, exploring the benefits they offer and the role of technologies like NFC in enabling this change. We'll also showcase how Another-1 , is helping brands stay ahead of the curve with our innovative DPP and phygital solutions. Additionally, we'll explore the concept of Flex 2 Earn (F2E) and how it can help maintain a strong link between clients and brands, as well as the importance of building a digital wardrobe through digital twins.
The Key to Transparency and Trust with DPPs
Businesses are constantly looking for ways to improve their transparency, build trust with consumers, and contribute to a more sustainable future. This is where Digital Product Passports (DPPs) come in – a game changing tool that's set to change the way we approach product information and sustainability.
So, what exactly are Digital Product Passports? In simple terms, a DPP is a digital tool that provides comprehensive information about a product’s environmental impact through its lifecycle. By scanning a QR code or NFC tag, users can access valuable insights into a product’s durability, reparability, recycled content, and availability of spare parts.?
There are multiple benefits of DPPs. For consumers, they offer a new level of transparency, allowing them to make well informed purchasing decisions based on a product’s environmental footprint. This not only helps build trust in brands but also encourages more sustainable consumer behaviour, such as choosing for products with higher recycled content or better repairability.?
But DPPs aren't just about providing information – they also help us move towards a circular economy. That means using resources in a smart way so we create less waste. By letting everyone in the supply chain see what a product is made of, DPPs make it easier to repair and recycle things. This helps reduce waste, save resources and create less greenhouse gases.?
For businesses, using DPPs can give them a big advantage in a market where more and more people care about sustainability. By being open about their products' impact on the environment, companies can stand out from the rest and charge more for goods made in a responsible way. Plus, DPPs can help businesses make their supply chains work better, find ways to improve, and reach their sustainability goals faster.
As the EU works towards a greener future, DPPs are going to be a must have tool for following new rules. By adopting DPPs early, businesses can make sure they are ready for the changes coming their way.?
DPPs are a big step forward in making the economy more transparent, sustainable, and circular. By offering valuable info about a product’s environmental impact and making resource management smarter, DPPs are going to be great for consumers, businesses, and the planet.?
Another-1, is at the forefront of this transformation, offering DPP and phygital solutions that empower brands to embrace transparency and sustainability. By partnering with Another-1, businesses can not only comply with upcoming regulations but also differentiate themselves in this competitive market.
Embracing the Circular Economy With The Help of NFC Technology
The circular economy is a model that keeps resources in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them, and then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their life cycle. It's a big change from the traditional linear economy, which follows a "take-make-dispose" approach. By embracing the circular economy, businesses can lower their environmental impact, create new opportunities for growth, and improve resource efficiency.?
NFC (Near Field Communication) technology plays a crucial role in enabling the transition to a circular economy. As mentioned in the previous section, NFC is the perfect tool for delivering DPPs, which provide comprehensive information about a product's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle.
But NFC's role in the circular economy goes beyond just providing information. Its combination of features, including security, data storage capacity, and the fact that it's technology that people are already comfortable using, makes it a valuable tool for implementing circular economy strategies.
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For example, NFC tags embedded in products can store detailed information about the materials used, manufacturing processes, and disassembly instructions. This information can be accessed by recycling facilities, enabling them to efficiently sort and process products at the end of their life cycle. By allowing proper recycling material recovery, NFC technology helps close the loop in the circular economy.?
A great example of this in action is Adidas and their Ultraboost DNA Loop running shoes. Adidas has integrated NFC chips into the midsoles of these shoes, which contain valuable product data such as the materials used, manufacturing details, and care instructions. By simply tapping the shoe with an NFC-enabled smartphone, consumers can instantly access this information.
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NFC fosters the creation of new business models that prioritise product as a service rather than ownership. By implementing NFC tags in products, businesses can track usage patterns, monitor product health, and offer predictive maintenance. Prolonging the life of products but also allows for more efficient resource use and cuts down on waste.
As businesses increasingly adopt circular economy practices, NFC technology will play an even more significant role in enabling the transition. Its ability to provide real-time data, enable efficient resource management, and support new business models makes it a powerful tool for driving the circular economy forward.
Another-1's technology offers the creation of digital twins – virtual replicas of physical products that can be stored in a digital wardrobe. By scanning an NFC-embedded product, users can add it to their digital wardrobe, providing them with a comprehensive overview of their belongings. This not only helps consumers keep track of their items but also opens up new possibilities for style recommendations, virtual try-ons, and more.
Finally, Another-1's innovative Flex-2-Earn (F2E) solution takes the concept of product as a service to the next level by incentivising customers to engage with products in a more sustainable way. By digitising the consumer journey through F2E, brands can establish fair and engaging channels to interact with their consumer base, boosting brand awareness and loyalty while promoting circular economy principles.
Beyond Digital Passports and Circular Economy?
Digital Product Passports and the circular economy are just two aspects of the future European market. To truly future proof their operations, businesses must also consider the broader role of technology, sustainability, and ethics.
Emerging tech like AI, IoT, and blockchain are creating new opportunities for innovation, optimisation, and customer value creation. At the same time, sustainability and ethical practices are becoming increasingly important, as stakeholders demand greater responsibility and transparency from businesses.
Managing this tricky environment presents both challenges and opportunities. Businesses will need to take a proactive approach with changing regulations, consumer preferences, and intense competition. However, by implementing new tech, adopting sustainable and ethical practices, and staying agile, businesses can find new ways to provide value and differentiate themselves in the market.
This may involve exploring new business models, creating partnerships, and investing in the necessary skills and capabilities. Ultimately, the businesses that succeed in the future European market will be those that are resilient, adaptable, and have a commitment to creating value for all stakeholders.
In conclusion, the future of business in the European market is rapidly changing. It is driven by the adoption of? DPPs, the circular economy, and the integration of NFC technology. As consumers and regulators demand greater transparency, sustainability, and ethical practices that embrace these frameworks will be well positioned for the future.?
By implementing DPPs, leveraging NFC technology, and adopting engaging solutions like Flex-2-Earn, companies can provide unprecedented transparency, build stronger relationships with customers, and contribute to a more sustainable future. As we move towards 2026 and beyond, the successful businesses will be those that not only adapt to these changes but also proactively innovate and create value for all stakeholders in a responsible and engaging way.
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About Another-1
Another-1 is your ultimate web3 phygital fashion platform built on Polygon. Seamlessly integrate physical and digital fashion worlds through our platform where users can create, collect and experience phygital fashion backed by NFC-authenticated physical goods.
Another-1 serves as a one-stop shop for a new transcending asset class that merges realities to create a dynamic ecosystem of hype beasts, designers, brands, retailers, and gaming projects.
For more information on Another-1, visit our website and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) , LinkedIn , and Instagram .