Quick Overview
- 1#1: Circularise - Blockchain-based platform providing end-to-end supply chain traceability and digital product passports for circular economy transitions.
- 2#2: SimaPro - Leading life cycle assessment software for evaluating environmental impacts and designing circular products.
- 3#3: Madaster - Digital materials passport platform enabling registration, trading, and reuse of building materials in a circular economy.
- 4#4: Sphera - Enterprise sustainability suite with LCA, carbon accounting, and circular supply chain management tools.
- 5#5: Circulor - AI-driven traceability platform for batteries and critical minerals to support responsible sourcing and circularity.
- 6#6: TrusTrace - Supply chain mapping and traceability software focused on sustainability compliance and circular practices in fashion.
- 7#7: Rheaply - Asset management platform optimizing reuse, repair, redistribution, and recycling to minimize waste.
- 8#8: openLCA - Free open-source life cycle assessment tool for modeling circular economy scenarios and resource flows.
- 9#9: Umberto - Material flow analysis and LCA software for identifying efficiencies in industrial circular processes.
- 10#10: Kezzler - Serialization and traceability platform enabling product lifecycle management for circular economy.
These tools were selected based on functionality, quality, user experience, and value, ensuring a blend of robust features and practical utility for businesses and organizations aiming to enhance their circular practices.
Comparison Table
Circular economy software is critical for driving sustainability, and this comparison table evaluates key tools like Circularise, SimaPro, Madaster, Sphera, and Circulor—providing readers with clear insights to match their operational needs. From carbon tracking to waste reduction, the table breaks down features, strengths, and ideal use cases, making it easier to identify the right software solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circularise Blockchain-based platform providing end-to-end supply chain traceability and digital product passports for circular economy transitions. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | SimaPro Leading life cycle assessment software for evaluating environmental impacts and designing circular products. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | Madaster Digital materials passport platform enabling registration, trading, and reuse of building materials in a circular economy. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Sphera Enterprise sustainability suite with LCA, carbon accounting, and circular supply chain management tools. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | Circulor AI-driven traceability platform for batteries and critical minerals to support responsible sourcing and circularity. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 6 | TrusTrace Supply chain mapping and traceability software focused on sustainability compliance and circular practices in fashion. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Rheaply Asset management platform optimizing reuse, repair, redistribution, and recycling to minimize waste. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | openLCA Free open-source life cycle assessment tool for modeling circular economy scenarios and resource flows. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.2/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 9 | Umberto Material flow analysis and LCA software for identifying efficiencies in industrial circular processes. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Kezzler Serialization and traceability platform enabling product lifecycle management for circular economy. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.8/10 |
Blockchain-based platform providing end-to-end supply chain traceability and digital product passports for circular economy transitions.
Leading life cycle assessment software for evaluating environmental impacts and designing circular products.
Digital materials passport platform enabling registration, trading, and reuse of building materials in a circular economy.
Enterprise sustainability suite with LCA, carbon accounting, and circular supply chain management tools.
AI-driven traceability platform for batteries and critical minerals to support responsible sourcing and circularity.
Supply chain mapping and traceability software focused on sustainability compliance and circular practices in fashion.
Asset management platform optimizing reuse, repair, redistribution, and recycling to minimize waste.
Free open-source life cycle assessment tool for modeling circular economy scenarios and resource flows.
Material flow analysis and LCA software for identifying efficiencies in industrial circular processes.
Serialization and traceability platform enabling product lifecycle management for circular economy.
Circularise
specializedBlockchain-based platform providing end-to-end supply chain traceability and digital product passports for circular economy transitions.
Decentralized Material Passports using blockchain and DIDs for interoperable, verifiable lifecycle traceability
Circularise is a blockchain and AI-powered platform specializing in supply chain traceability and digital product passports for the circular economy. It enables end-to-end visibility of materials from sourcing to recycling, helping industries like batteries, polymers, and chemicals comply with regulations such as the EU Battery Regulation and Digital Product Passport requirements. By creating verifiable Material Passports, it facilitates reuse, reduces waste, and supports sustainable decision-making across global supply chains.
Pros
- Unparalleled blockchain-based traceability with tamper-proof Digital Product Passports
- Seamless compliance with emerging regulations like EU DPP and Battery Passport
- AI-driven insights for optimizing recycling and circular material flows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users and initial setup
- Best suited for large enterprises; less accessible for SMEs
- Relies on network adoption from supply chain partners for full effectiveness
Best For
Multinational manufacturers in battery, chemical, and polymer sectors seeking regulatory-compliant supply chain circularity.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at €50,000+ annually based on scope and users—contact sales for quotes.
SimaPro
specializedLeading life cycle assessment software for evaluating environmental impacts and designing circular products.
Seamless integration with ecoinvent and other premier databases for unparalleled accuracy in modeling complex circular material flows
SimaPro is a premier life cycle assessment (LCA) software used by sustainability experts to quantify environmental impacts of products, processes, and supply chains across their full life cycles. It excels in circular economy applications by modeling material loops, recycling scenarios, waste reduction strategies, and resource optimization to minimize footprints and promote closed-loop systems. With integrated access to extensive databases like ecoinvent and USDA, it enables precise, data-driven decisions for sustainable design and compliance.
Pros
- Vast, high-quality LCA databases for accurate global impact modeling
- Advanced scenario and uncertainty analysis for circular strategy testing
- Robust support for multi-functional and consequential modeling
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring LCA expertise
- High pricing limits accessibility for small organizations
- Less emphasis on economic and social circular metrics compared to pure CE tools
Best For
Large enterprises, consultants, and R&D teams in manufacturing needing comprehensive LCA for circular product optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; annual subscriptions start at ~€5,000 for single-user basic edition, scaling to €20,000+ for advanced/multi-user plans.
Madaster
specializedDigital materials passport platform enabling registration, trading, and reuse of building materials in a circular economy.
Digital Material Passports that provide legally binding, blockchain-secured documentation for material reuse and value retention
Madaster is a specialized cloud platform for the circular economy, primarily focused on the construction and real estate sectors, where it creates digital material passports for buildings and assets. It aggregates a vast database of over 85,000 materials with detailed lifecycle data, enabling users to track residual value, environmental impact, and reuse potential throughout an asset's lifecycle. The software supports BIM integration, stakeholder collaboration, and compliance with circular economy regulations like the EU's Construction Products Regulation.
Pros
- Comprehensive global materials database with LCA data and residual value calculations
- Seamless BIM and IFC integration for accurate asset modeling
- Strong collaboration tools for multi-stakeholder projects in construction
Cons
- Steep learning curve for users without BIM or construction expertise
- Limited applicability outside building and infrastructure sectors
- Enterprise pricing lacks transparency and can be costly for smaller firms
Best For
Real estate developers, architects, and contractors seeking to implement material passports and circular practices in construction projects.
Pricing
Enterprise subscription model starting at custom quotes (typically €5,000+ annually per user/project), with tiered plans based on asset volume and features.
Sphera
enterpriseEnterprise sustainability suite with LCA, carbon accounting, and circular supply chain management tools.
The integrated GaBi LCA database, one of the world's largest with over 1.5 million datasets for precise material flow and impact analysis.
Sphera is an enterprise-grade sustainability platform that supports circular economy initiatives through lifecycle assessment (LCA), supply chain transparency, and ESG reporting tools. It enables organizations to track material flows, reduce waste, optimize resource use, and ensure compliance with circular economy regulations via its SpheraCloud suite. With modules for product stewardship, carbon management, and performance solutions, Sphera helps businesses measure and improve their circularity across operations and supply chains.
Pros
- Extensive LCA database (GaBi) with millions of data points for accurate circularity assessments
- Seamless integration with ERP systems like SAP for enterprise-wide data management
- Comprehensive modules for waste tracking, recycling optimization, and regulatory compliance
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and customization needs
- High cost makes it less accessible for small to mid-sized businesses
- Limited focus on real-time collaborative features for cross-functional teams
Best For
Large manufacturing and chemical companies needing robust, data-intensive tools for enterprise-scale circular economy management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on modules and users; quotes required.
Circulor
specializedAI-driven traceability platform for batteries and critical minerals to support responsible sourcing and circularity.
Mine-to-vehicle digital traceability with verified material passports
Circulor is a supply chain traceability platform focused on critical minerals and battery materials, providing end-to-end visibility from mine sites to finished products like EV batteries. It leverages blockchain, satellite imagery, and machine learning to verify sustainable sourcing, detect risks, and generate material passports for regulatory compliance. This enables companies to demonstrate responsible practices and support circular economy principles by facilitating material recycling and reuse.
Pros
- Exceptional end-to-end traceability using blockchain and geospatial tech
- Strong compliance tools for EU Battery Regulation and ESG reporting
- Real-time risk detection and material passports for recyclability
Cons
- Narrow focus on battery metals limits broader circular economy applications
- Enterprise-level complexity may challenge smaller users
- Pricing opaque and likely high for non-tier-1 suppliers
Best For
Large EV manufacturers and battery suppliers needing precise mineral traceability for sustainability compliance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via subscription, starting high for large-scale deployments (contact for quote).
TrusTrace
specializedSupply chain mapping and traceability software focused on sustainability compliance and circular practices in fashion.
Digital Product Passports that automate material lifecycle data for reuse and recycling decisions
TrusTrace is a supply chain traceability platform designed for the fashion and consumer goods industries, enabling end-to-end visibility from raw materials to finished products. It supports circular economy initiatives through digital product passports (DPPs), material provenance tracking, and sustainability reporting to facilitate reuse, recycling, and regulatory compliance like the EU Digital Product Passport. The software helps brands reduce waste, verify circular claims, and build consumer trust via blockchain-secured data.
Pros
- Comprehensive supply chain mapping with multi-tier visibility
- Digital Product Passports for lifecycle tracking and circularity
- Strong integration with ESG standards and regulatory compliance
Cons
- Primarily tailored to fashion/textiles, less flexible for other sectors
- Enterprise-level pricing inaccessible for SMEs
- Initial setup and data onboarding can be time-intensive
Best For
Mid-to-large fashion brands and manufacturers focused on supply chain transparency and circular transitions.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at €10,000+ annually, with modular plans based on users, suppliers, and features.
Rheaply
enterpriseAsset management platform optimizing reuse, repair, redistribution, and recycling to minimize waste.
AI-powered resource matching that intelligently connects supply and demand across an organization's inventory
Rheaply is a circular economy platform designed for organizations to build internal sharing marketplaces for physical assets like lab equipment, office supplies, and tools. It enables inventory discovery, reservations, requests, and transactions to promote reuse over purchasing new items, reducing waste and costs. The software provides analytics on asset utilization and sustainability impact, helping track circularity metrics across campuses or enterprises.
Pros
- Robust inventory management and matching engine for efficient resource sharing
- Strong sustainability reporting with reuse KPIs and ROI calculators
- Scalable for large organizations with multi-site support
Cons
- Enterprise-focused pricing lacks transparency and can be high for smaller teams
- Setup requires significant initial data migration and admin effort
- Primarily geared toward physical assets, less flexible for digital or service-based circularity
Best For
Large enterprises, universities, or research labs seeking to optimize asset reuse and demonstrate ESG progress.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via sales quote; typically starts at several thousand dollars annually based on users and assets.
openLCA
otherFree open-source life cycle assessment tool for modeling circular economy scenarios and resource flows.
Full open-source transparency allowing complete customization, auditing, and extension of LCA models without vendor lock-in
openLCA is a free, open-source lifecycle assessment (LCA) software developed by GreenDelta for modeling and evaluating the environmental impacts of products, processes, and services across their entire life cycles. It supports integration with major LCA databases like ecoinvent and allows users to perform detailed analyses relevant to circular economy goals, such as resource loops, recycling scenarios, and waste reduction strategies. The tool excels in transparency and reproducibility, making it suitable for sustainability assessments that inform circular design and policy.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Robust support for LCA databases and custom impact methods
- Highly extensible via plugins and scripting for advanced modeling
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring LCA expertise
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive
- Limited native support for specialized circular economy metrics beyond standard LCA
Best For
LCA practitioners, researchers, and sustainability consultants in academia or industry needing a powerful, transparent tool for environmental assessments supporting circular economy initiatives.
Pricing
Free (open-source); optional paid services for support and cloud collaboration via openLCA Nexus.
Umberto
specializedMaterial flow analysis and LCA software for identifying efficiencies in industrial circular processes.
Interactive Sankey diagrams that dynamically visualize complex material and energy flows in circular systems
Umberto (umberto.net) is a specialized software for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and material flow network modeling, allowing users to visualize and analyze resource flows, energy use, and environmental impacts across supply chains. It excels in supporting circular economy strategies by simulating recycling loops, waste minimization, and resource efficiency scenarios through intuitive Sankey diagrams. Integrated with databases like ecoinvent, it enables standardized LCA calculations for sustainable decision-making.
Pros
- Powerful Sankey diagram visualizations for material flows
- Robust LCA database integrations and scenario analysis
- Strong support for circular economy modeling like recycling loops
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-experts
- Primarily Windows-based with limited cloud options
- High pricing limits accessibility for small businesses
Best For
Large enterprises and sustainability consultants needing advanced LCA for circular economy optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based licensing; single-user professional edition starts around €5,000/year, with enterprise options higher.
Kezzler
enterpriseSerialization and traceability platform enabling product lifecycle management for circular economy.
oneID technology for unique, scalable digital product identities enabling verifiable reuse and recycling
Kezzler is a cloud-based SaaS platform specializing in product serialization and traceability, assigning unique digital identities (oneID) to individual product instances for end-to-end supply chain visibility. It supports circular economy principles by enabling digital product passports, recycling verification, and compliance with regulations like the EU's Digital Product Passport. The software integrates with ERP, MES, and other systems to track products from manufacturing through reuse, repair, and recycling, helping reduce waste and enhance sustainability reporting.
Pros
- Exceptional instance-level traceability supporting cradle-to-grave product lifecycle management
- Strong compliance tools for circular economy regulations and ESG reporting
- Seamless integrations with enterprise systems like SAP and manufacturing equipment
Cons
- Heavy focus on regulated industries like pharma and FMCG limits broader applicability
- Enterprise pricing lacks transparency and may be prohibitive for smaller businesses
- Initial setup and customization require significant time and expertise
Best For
Mid-to-large manufacturers in regulated sectors needing robust traceability for circular economy compliance and sustainability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing based on product volume and features; contact sales for quotes, typically starting in the high five to six figures annually.
Conclusion
As circular economy efforts expand globally, these top 10 tools represent key solutions, with Circularise leading as the top choice due to its blockchain-based end-to-end traceability and digital product passports. SimaPro stands out for life cycle assessment and product design, while Madaster excels in building materials reuse—each offering unique strengths to support circular transitions.
Start your circular journey with Circularise to unlock seamless traceability and digital passports, or explore SimaPro or Madaster to align with your specific sustainability needs.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
