Digital Product Passport (DPP) in the Furniture Industry: From Obligation to Creative Lever
- katjakroeger
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is transforming the furniture industry - not as a burden, but as an opportunity for pioneers. While many companies view it as a regulatory requirement, innovation leaders like COR are already using the DPP to develop sustainable business models and foster long-term customer loyalty. The message from the recent industry assembly in Cologne on October 9 was clear: those who approach the DPP strategically today secure not just compliance, but competitive advantages - and create unforgettable brand experiences.
DPP as an Efficiency Booster in the Furniture Industry
Most decision-makers in the furniture sector initially associate the Digital Product Passport (DPP) with bureaucracy and added costs. Yet its true strength lies in automation:
DPP-driven supply chain transparency: Real-time data on materials and manufacturing processes reduce search times, minimize errors, and meet EU compliance requirements.
Effortless customer communication: Product information is dynamically provided - via QR code or augmented reality (AR), for example.
Supplier interfaces: Standardized data formats cut costs and accelerate processes.
Take BASF: Christoph Attila Kun demonstrated how the DPP revolutionizes in-house workflows—from production to recycling. The Digital Product Passport brings structure - and with it, economies of scale.
Circular Economy as a Business Case
The DPP is the key to unlocking the circular economy in the furniture industry—and paves the way for future-proof business models. Companies that digitally map material flows can command higher prices for sustainable furniture, secure funding for circular initiatives, and offer DPP-based service models like leasing or take-back programs. As Thomas Rödding of Narravero emphasizes:
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) transforms products into services—and unlocks new revenue streams.
The DPP as a Creative Statement
COR - a brand known for timeless, functional furniture - uses the DPP to make interior design even more appealing. Imagine a customer scanning the QR code on their COR Drop stool and seeing not just technical specs, but an interactive journey: from the creative design process to its second-life potential in the CORever program. This turns the DPP into a storytelling tool that builds brand loyalty and makes circularity tangible.
The DPP Is Not a Document - It’s an Invitation
Companies that strategically leverage the Digital Product Passport in the furniture industry unlock new markets and forge emotional connections with customers. Brands like COR prove that the DPP doesn’t just ensure compliance—it drives innovation and strengthens brand identity. The question isn’t if to use it, but how to deploy it creatively to shape the future of the industry.
