The construction and infrastructure sector contributes significantly to environmental pressure through high material consumption, intensive use of primary resources, and substantial CO₂ emissions. Although the Netherlands recycles a large share of its construction and demolition waste, the reuse of components remains limited, often because essential information about materials, origin, performance, and condition is missing. When this information is fragmented or inaccessible, opportunities for circular strategies at the end-of-life stage are frequently lost. Strengthening traceability is therefore a critical foundation for national circularity ambitions and for the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) under upcoming European regulations.
This research examines how information gaps arise across the lifecycle of infrastructure assets in the Netherlands and how Digital Product Passport can address these gaps by improving data continuity, quality, and accessibility. A qualitative methodology was used, combining a structured literature review with fifteen semi-structured interviews involving asset owners, consultants, policy advisors, and specialists in information management. The study identifies where material information is lost, how current systems fail to maintain consistent traceability, and which organizational conditions influence long-term data reliability.
Findings show that weak traceability results mainly from fragmented systems, unclear responsibilities, inconsistent updating routines, and limited digital capacity. Based on these insights, a strategy guide was developed containing twelve strategies that support the practical implementation of DPP in infrastructure projects. The strategies focus on system integration, structured handovers, data ownership, verification mechanisms, and standardized information formats. The guide is illustrated through its application to a prefabricated concrete slab, demonstrating how lifecycle information can be structured in practice.
The research concludes that Digital Product Passport can strengthen traceability when embedded in existing workflows and supported by clear governance and shared data standards. While a DPP cannot resolve all information challenges, it provides a structured framework that reduces information loss and supports more reliable lifecycle data for future decisions.