Infineon security solutions support industry, consumers and the environment

Circular economy is an effective path to sustainable ecology: Infineon safety solutions provide strong support for industry, consumers and the environment

[ October 30 , 2023 , Munich , Germany ] Global resources are becoming increasingly scarce, so the responsible use of resources is crucial to combating climate change. E-waste has become one of the largest waste streams in the world, with more than 57.4 million tons of e-waste generated globally every year (2021), with a net value of nearly US$60 ^billion1 . One way to address this challenge is to maximize the circulation time of resources in the value chain. The circular economy helps extend the life cycle of products, thus saving resources and energy. In this philosophy, the provision of reliable spare parts for electronic equipment plays an important role. Authentication solutions such as the OPTIGA™ Authenticate series from Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) support the verification of spare parts and original products, helping to achieve a trustworthy and sustainable economic model.

The method of recycling electronic products is defined by the 6R concept, namely Reduce, Reliability, Repair, Reuse, Refurbish and Recycle.

For the semiconductor technology company Infineon, circular economy goes hand in hand: these principles not only guide Infineon in waste management, such as the reuse of solvents in manufacturing processes. Infineon's products are also designed to reduce resource consumption and hazardous waste and to support the replacement of critical components. On the other hand, Infineon offers customers products that help them innovate according to circular principles and create more sustainable solutions for the market.

OPTIGA™ Authenticate security solutions help achieve sustainability and high reliability

For example, the “Right to Repair” regulations not only fall within the scope of the European Green Deal, but are also part of the sustainability plans of various countries around the world. Infineon's security solutions, such as the OPTIGA Authenticate series, can help manufacturing companies efficiently and specifically address the key challenges posed by these new regulations and effectively reduce their impact on the environment.

The EU's Right to Repair, Battery and Ecodesign initiatives aim to save resources and improve product energy efficiency. The right to repair means that consumers have the right to obtain spare parts and that products must be repairable by non-professionals. The challenge for manufacturers is therefore to meet their warranty requirements and provide spare parts, while also protecting their brand value and intellectual property, as well as the safety of their end users.

Josef Haid, Distinguished Engineer Security System Architecture at Infineon Technologies, explains: “The OPTIGA Authenticate family of products can verify the authenticity of devices and replacement parts, as well as authenticate original products. This not only ensures end-user product security, but also helps Manufacturers meet the requirements of quality and performance standards for electronic devices, providing consumers with a safer and more transparent experience as consumers can trust the authenticity and quality of devices and spare parts. Additionally, demand for spare parts increases. , it also opens up a new market for the industry, covering potential warranty claims while providing effective protection against counterfeit products.”

Verification solutions that protect consumers and products

The OPTIGA Authenticate family of products is suitable for a wide range of replaceable components, such as those found in the smartphone ecosystem. Smartphone components such as batteries, displays, and camera modules, as well as power adapters, wireless chargers, and headphones (see image) can all be equipped with authenticators. In addition, OPTIGA Authenticate security solutions can also be used in electronic devices such as power tools, laptops, light electric vehicles, multi-rotor aircraft, VR/AR applications, etc. The mechanism is very simple - just integrate the OPTIGA Authenticate S security chip into the product, such as the battery (customer) of the electric scooter (host). In this way, the host and client can communicate with each other and authenticate, allowing the host to verify whether the battery is original or meets specific standards. The verification process itself is managed through the exchange of certificates, keys, and encryption tasks.

Authentication solutions like the OPTIGA Authenticate Series provide a simple and cost-effective way for manufacturers to meet legal requirements and protect their brand value from counterfeit and substandard products. With the OPTIGA Authenticate family of products, Infineon takes another step towards the circular economy, enabling customers to build more sustainable solutions.