Empowering the clothing lifecycle management system with blockchain and IoT Technology

On April 1st, 2019, the “Global Release of the Achievements of COSMOPlat Industrial Internet Eco Brand Platform” event was held (by Haier) at the Hannover Exhibition Center to showcase the latest technological achievements of Haier and introduce newly formed ecosystem partners through their COSMOPlat Platform. COSMOPlat is the ecological backbone of Haier, operating as an open industrial internet platform with independent intellectual property rights making it the first ever platform for third parties to participate in the entire industrial process.

Mr. Tao Bailiang, Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, Mr. Eicke R Weber, Academician of the German Academy of Engineering and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Mr. Francisco Betti, Head of WEF Future of Production, and Mr. Chen Lucheng, Vice President of Haier Home Appliances Group, were in attendance.

Mr. Zhang Weijie, Executive Director of Haier Institute of Industrial Intelligence and General Manager of Intelligent Manufacturing of Haier Electrical Appliance Industry Group, Mr. Luca Crisciotti, CEO of DNV GL Business Assurance, and Mr. Jerome Grilleres, General Manager of VeChain Europe presented the Signing Ceremony of the Tripartite Strategic Partnership on behalf of Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co. Ltd, DNV GL, and VeChain. The three parties will join hands in integrating the VeChainThor Blockchain-based clothing traceability solution into Haier IoC facilitating the Digital Carbon Ecosystem (DCE). The VeChainThor Blockchain will become a core technology in which the COSMOPlat open platform members operate with.

The partnership is created to facilitate the deployment of My Story™, which is co-developed by DNV GL and VeChain, into the clothing industry. The partnership also integrates DCE with Haier IoC platform, the first apparel lifecycle management platform in the world. The breadth of the Tripartite Strategic Partnership looks to utilize public blockchain technology in all applicable use cases within the lifecycle of clothing and clothing management. The next noted use cases include smart shopping, smart inventory management, and tracking using the VeChainThor Blockchain.

Signing Ceremony at Hannover Messe 2019. On the left: Luca Crisciotti; in the middle: Mr. Zhang Weijie; on the right: Mr. Jerome Grilleres

In the introduced partnership, Haier is responsible for coordinating its user resources, facilitating the deployment of VeChainThor Blockchain-based My Story™ in the clothing industry through Haier IoC, applying the carbon reduction model created for the Digital Carbon Ecosystem (DCE) to Haier Washing Machines, thus enriching DCE and promoting a carbon-efficient lifestyle. Haier Group is one of the largest collective multinational consumer electronics and home appliances company in the world with approximately $40 billion in annual revenue. Among its brands, Haier also owns GE Consumer & Industrial, Fisher & Paykel, Hotpoint and Candy Group. Haier IoC, or Internet of Clothing, is a platform which can potentially generate billions of business transactions a year for their users.

As an independent third party, DNV GL will be responsible for providing verification and consulting services to Haier and VeChain regarding business model, process control, and technical interfaces. All the data stored on the blockchain will be verified by DNV GL, thus ensuring its authenticity. DNV GL will also be responsible for the verification and distribution of the carbon credits in DCE.

VeChain is responsible for providing blockchain tech support and consulting services, facilitating the development of Haier’s IoC platform, developing carbon reduction and carbon credits applications that can integrate with DCE for Haier Energy Efficient Washing Machines, and providing VeChainThor Blockchain-based or traceability/anti-counterfeiting solutions for the apparel enterprises within Haier IoC Ecosystem.

Haier Internet of Clothing Area at Hannover Messe 2019

“Haier is committed to promoting the development of apparel-related industries by leveraging advanced technologies, the strategic partnership between Haier, DNV GL and VeChain will add impetus to the development of Haier’s business.” Mr. Zhang Weijie, Executive Director of Haier Institute of Industrial Intelligence “This strategic cooperation empowers the clothing lifecycle management system through public blockchain technology, enhancing consumers’ trust which is becoming essential for a business to succeed. An ecosystem approach is the best way to increase levels of transparency and trust, with innovative solutions that bring together various technology elements combined with verification activities.” Mr. Luca Crisciotti, CEO of DNV GL Business Assurance “Thanks to Haier and DNV GL, we were able to bring blockchain technology to the enormous market of clothing and laundry without the joint efforts of the three parties, we wouldn’t be able to make such a remarkable achievement. Together with our partners, VeChain will continue to explore application scenarios for blockchain technology, and empower the real economy.” Jerome Grilleres, General Manager of VeChain Europe

As of now, MyStory™ has been deployed in multiple projects within Haier IoC by scanning the QR code attached to the clothes, consumers can get detailed information about the product from provenance to store, such as raw materials, manufacturing process, design, and brands. The Tripartite Strategic Partnership will continue to expand upon the integration and use cases of the Haier IoC system utilizing the VeChainThor Blockchain.

Numerous world-class enterprises are now operating on Haier IoC platform empowered by VeChainThor Blockchain, IoT technology, and MyStory™, thus integrating the network of farmlands, factories, stores, and consumers seamlessly, expanding blockchain adoption to industries such as clothing, household textile, laundry, printing and dyeing, and the Internet of Clothing. On top of that, by deploying the carbon efficient model, Haier has, for a second time, given full play to its strength and further promoted a greener lifestyle. With the VeChainThor Blockchain, which features security and efficiency, and the support from third-party certification body DNV GL, Haier IoC will pioneer the disruption of the industry and the development of a win-win ecosystem.