Today, across the economy and society as a whole, we are addressing one fundamental question – how to ensure transparency, security and the credibility of information in a digital world shaped by increasingly complex supply chains and growing regulatory requirements. In this context, blockchain has become a central topic of discussion worldwide – from technology start-ups to the largest global investment groups.
It is therefore no surprise that blockchain is also among the key themes of this year’s gathering of political and economic leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, taking place from 19 to 23 January 2026. It is precisely here that representatives of governments, industry, finance and civil society come together to discuss technologies and systemic changes with the potential to influence the functioning of the global economy over the long term.
This global debate is naturally reflected in the European context, where blockchain is increasingly moving from the realm of experimentation into the role of strategic infrastructure. A significant role is played here by the Blockchain for Europe initiative, which brings together industrial and technological stakeholders with the aim of fostering dialogue with European institutions. Its long-term objective is not only the development of the technology itself, but above all the support of its responsible and regulatorily compatible use in areas where data credibility, traceability and long-term verifiability are essential. These issues were also among the main themes of the Blockchain for Europe Summit 2025, which confirmed that the future of blockchain in Europe is closely linked to real industrial applications and to the objectives of European sustainability policy.
One area where this shift is becoming particularly tangible is forthcoming legislation under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The Regulation introduces the concept of the digital product passport, whose purpose is to ensure that key information about a product is available, structured and verifiable throughout its entire life cycle. In the case of textile products, this represents a fundamental change in approach: data on the origin of fibres, the materials used, processing methods and sustainability become part of mandatory information infrastructure. Transparency thus ceases to be a voluntary commitment by brands and becomes a regulatory requirement.
It is precisely here that it becomes clear why blockchain is regarded as one of the most suitable technological solutions for future digital product passports. Its ability to ensure the immutability of records, simple, fast and secure information sharing, and independent data verification corresponds to the requirements that European regulation places on trustworthy data infrastructure. This is not a theoretical consideration, but a direction that is already being reflected in the first practical projects.
One such example is the company Plastiks, which uses blockchain to validate and record certificates associated with plastic waste recycling. This approach makes it possible to work with verifiable data on the origin of materials and the environmental benefits of their processing, without relying solely on declarations or central registries. The result is digitally auditable records that can be directly linked to real material flows.
A similar principle can also be applied to recycling technologies that work with complex inputs and place emphasis on the quality of output materials. Where data on the origin of raw materials are available and credibly verified, they can be used in recycling facilities such as RECIVONE. Records of input materials and resulting recyclates can be validated on the blockchain and subsequently used in further manufacturing chains, whether in the field of synthetic textiles or packaging materials. In this way, a coherent information flow is created that connects the origin of raw materials, their processing and their use in new production cycles.
A concrete application of blockchain in the textile sector is also represented by the brand LIBERAL LARK. It already uses NFTs as a digital representation of an individually designed coat, directly linked to a specific physical product. This record fulfils the function of a digital product passport and creates the basis for further expansion of transparent data on the origin of materials. LIBERAL LARK expects blockchain to play a key role in the future, particularly in validating the origin of woollen fabrics and other materials used in production.
Blockchain is thus increasingly establishing itself as an infrastructure of trust for industry facing growing demands for transparency, traceability and accountability. It is not a short-term trend, but a technological foundation that is gradually becoming interconnected with European regulation, global investment strategies, as well as practical projects in manufacturing, recycling and new products, and is steadily becoming their key technological pillar.