The supply chain industry connects raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. It is a complex web of processes that brings products from resource extraction to the hands of end users. Supply chains typically involve many parties handling materials and information across organizational and geographic boundaries. This fragmentation can lead to a lack of visibility and trust between entities, resulting in issues like counterfeiting, food safety scandals, and unethical labor practices.
Blockchain technology offers a solution to many of these problems by bringing increased traceability and transparency to supply chains. A blockchain is a distributed digital ledger that records transactions and information in a verifiable and permanent way. The decentralized and immutable nature of blockchains makes them well-suited for improving trust and visibility across fragmented supply chains. Global spending on blockchain solutions for supply chain management is forecasted to reach $9.7 billion by 2025.
How Blockchain Improves Traceability
Traceability refers to the ability to track materials and products across each step of the supply chain. With traditional systems, records are often siloed, paper-based and prone to errors. This makes tracing an item back to its origin difficult. Blockchain enables supply chain participants to record transactions on a shared ledger in near real-time. Scanning a product barcode or QR code can instantly call up its full history on the blockchain.
Enhanced Record Keeping
Records in a blockchain are immutable once written. This produces an accurate, time-stamped audit trail of an item’s journey. All parties can view this trail to pinpoint issues like contamination sources in a recall event. Records also can’t be changed without consensus, reducing fraud such as paper trail manipulation.
Automated Traceability
Smart contracts – self-executing code on a blockchain – enable real-time traceability. As assets change custody between parties, smart contracts automatically record the transaction details like date, location, parties involved. This creates an automated system for tracing assets from origin through each touch point.
Improved Data Integrity
Centralized databases rely on a single party entering data correctly. But data input errors are common in supply chains, hindering traceability. Blockchain’s consensus model verifiably confirms the accuracy of data entered by parties before writing transactions to the ledger. This improves data integrity for tracing materials downstream.
Item-Level Tracking
Granular tracking has typically been infeasible in supply chains due to cost and effort. But blockchain solutions can assign unique digital identifiers to individual items. Scanning these IDs stores unique records for each item, enabling tracing back to individual batches or specific farms. Walmart used blockchain to trace mangoes back to the exact farm and farm-gate where they originated in seconds.
How Blockchain Provides Transparency
Supply chain transparency is about access to information at each process stage – from material sourcing through manufacturing, shipping and distribution. Lack of transparency contributes to undetected unethical or illegal practices. Blockchain’s ability to provide a shared view of validated data across a supply network leads to greater transparency.
Shared Visibility
Traditional supply chains involve fragmented visibility – each entity can only view their immediate trading partners. Blockchain’s single source of truth provides shared visibility so all authorized participants can view supply chain activity. This transparency allows businesses to identify where products come from and how they are handled at each process stage.
Open Access
Permissioned blockchains allow information to be selectively shared with approved parties in the ecosystem. This provides open access to data while still restricting sensitive details. So competitors could have access to shipment statuses without seeing pricing or margins. Higher visibility builds trust and accountability between supply chain partners.
Permanent Records
Records can’t be altered on a blockchain without consensus from other users. And completed transactions are permanently added to the ledger in chronological order. This audit trail within a tamper-proof system engenders trust in the quality of information. All parties can trust they are accessing a genuine history of asset movements and transactions.
Authentication of Goods
Counterfeit goods pass through supply chains undetected due to lack of transparency. But blockchain solutions can thwart counterfeiters with digital authentication of genuine goods. Certificates of authenticity can be linked to unique identifiers on physical products. Scanning the ID reveals the authenticity record, helping customs officials, retailers and consumers determine legitimacy.
Real World Examples of Blockchain in Supply Chains
Walmart Food Safety
Walmart partnered with IBM to create a blockchain-based Food Safety Solution after tracing the source of contaminated mangoes took nearly 7 days in one instance. By uploading food supply chain data to the blockchain, Walmart reduced traceback time to just 2.2 seconds. This allows quick identification of contamination sources to reduce spread and waste.
Maersk Shipping
The Maersk shipping line piloted a blockchain system called TradeLens to streamline supply chains. It provides real-time tracking of shipments and documents across a permissioned blockchain. TradeLens has reduced the time needed for shipment paperwork processes like order processing and customs clearance by 40%, improving transparency.
De Beers Diamonds
De Beers implemented the Tracr blockchain to track diamonds. Each diamond gets a unique ID which consumers can access via app to view its characteristics and origins. This helps assure consumers of the ethics and authenticity of De Beers diamonds by improving transparency throughout the supply chain.
Nestlé Purina Petfood
Nestlé’s pet food division piloted using blockchain to track the movement and testing of ingredients like meat and fish. Their blockchain traces ingredients back to origin suppliers to ensure quality while preventing tampering. This gives Nestlé and consumers confidence in the provenance and safety standards of the pet food supply chain.
Key Benefits of Blockchain for Supply Chains
Increased Trust
The immutable nature of data on a blockchain fosters trust between entities that otherwise might not have access to shared information. This mitigates uncertainty and disputes through supply chain transparency.
Enhanced Risk Management
Detailed tracing capability provides insight to quickly identify and contain potential product safety issues or counterfeits. This improves supply chain risk management.
Higher Efficiency
Blockchain optimizes workflows and information exchange by eliminating redundancy and delays from paper-based processes. This reduces costs and speeds product flow through the supply chain.
Improved Collaboration
Shared data access across the blockchain breaks down information silos between trading partners. This promotes greater collaboration and accountability between entities.
Competitive Advantage
Early adopters of blockchain supply chain solutions can gain advantage through enhanced transparency that builds consumer trust in their brand.
Challenges With Blockchain Adoption
While promising, there are challenges limiting widespread blockchain adoption across the supply chain industry:
- Technological Immaturity – Blockchains face issues like limited scalability and lack of common standards which are still being resolved through ongoing development.
- Integration Difficulties – Many supply chains rely on legacy enterprise systems, making integration with newer blockchain platforms complex and costly.
- Participation Concerns – Building supply chain-wide blockchain ecosystems requires getting trading partners up and running on the platform. But not all participants will see the benefits.
- Cost – Developing and implementing blockchain supply chain use cases can require considerable upfront investment. ROI is not always evident, making some businesses hesitant.
- Regulatory Uncertainty – Blockchain-based supply chain solutions face uncertain regulatory oversight. This needs to be addressed by policymakers.
The Future of Blockchain in Supply Chain Management
While blockchain is still an emerging solution, its ability to engender trust through transparency is driving innovation across supply chains. More scalable and interoperable blockchain platforms will emerge to drive mainstream adoption. And regulatory guidance will clarify the policies surrounding applications. With solutions to current limitations, blockchain is poised to become an integral supply chain management technology in the coming decade.
But early adopters are already realizing benefits like enhanced traceability, transparency, risk reduction and efficiency. As the technology matures, blockchain promises to transform supply chain visibility, collaboration and responsiveness.
Conclusion
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the supply chain industry by improving traceability and transparency. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before blockchain can be widely adopted in the supply chain industry. Businesses can help to overcome these challenges by educating themselves about the benefits of blockchain, working with the private sector to develop solutions, advocating for clear regulation, and investing in research and development.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
What is blockchain technology?
Blockchain technology is a distributed ledger system that records transactions in a secure and tamper-proof way. It is best known for its role in powering cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, but blockchain has the potential to revolutionize many industries, including supply chain management.
How can blockchain be used to improve the traceability and transparency of supply chains?
Blockchain can be used to improve the traceability and transparency of supply chains in a number of ways, including:
- Tracking the movement of goods: Blockchain can be used to track the movement of goods from their point of origin to their final destination. This can help to identify and prevent counterfeiting, theft, and foodborne illness.
- Verifying the authenticity of products: Blockchain can be used to verify the authenticity of products by tracking their production history and ensuring that they meet the required standards. This can help to build consumer trust and reduce the risk of fraud.
- Improving supply chain visibility: Blockchain can be used to improve supply chain visibility by providing all stakeholders with a real-time view of the movement of goods. This can help to identify and resolve bottlenecks and improve overall efficiency.
What are the benefits of using blockchain to improve supply chain traceability and transparency?
The benefits of using blockchain to improve supply chain traceability and transparency include:
- Reduced fraud: Blockchain’s decentralized nature and tamper-proof records make it very difficult to commit fraud in the supply chain. This can lead to significant cost savings for businesses and consumers.
- Improved product safety: Blockchain can help to improve product safety by tracking the origin and movement of goods. This can help to identify and prevent foodborne illness and other safety hazards.
- Enhanced consumer trust: Blockchain can help to build consumer trust by providing them with transparency into the supply chain. This can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.
- Improved supply chain efficiency: Blockchain can help to improve supply chain efficiency by providing all stakeholders with a real-time view of the movement of goods. This can help to identify and resolve bottlenecks and improve overall operations.
What are the challenges of implementing blockchain in the supply chain industry?
Some of the challenges of implementing blockchain in the supply chain industry include:
- Lack of awareness and expertise: Many businesses in the supply chain industry are not yet aware of the benefits of blockchain or how to implement it. This can make it difficult to get buy-in for blockchain projects.
- Regulatory uncertainty: The regulatory landscape for blockchain is still evolving, which can create uncertainty for businesses that are considering implementing blockchain solutions.
- Technical challenges: Implementing blockchain can be technically complex and expensive. This can be a challenge for businesses with limited resources.
- Industry collaboration: Blockchain solutions work best when all stakeholders in the supply chain are involved. This can be challenging to achieve, as businesses may be reluctant to share data and collaborate with competitors.
How can businesses overcome these challenges?
Businesses can overcome the challenges of implementing blockchain in the supply chain industry by:
- Educating themselves about the benefits of blockchain: Businesses can learn more about blockchain by attending industry events, reading articles and white papers, and talking to experts.
- Working with the private sector to develop blockchain solutions: Businesses can partner with other businesses in the supply chain industry to develop and implement blockchain solutions. This can help to reduce the costs and risks associated with blockchain implementation.
- Advocating for clear and supportive regulation: Businesses can advocate for clear and supportive regulation of blockchain. This will help to reduce uncertainty and encourage businesses to invest in blockchain solutions.
- Investing in blockchain research and development: Businesses can invest in blockchain research and development to help solve the technical challenges of implementing blockchain. This will help to make blockchain more accessible and affordable for businesses.
