10 Companies Using Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chain

This morning, I decided to follow up on my previous article, How Could Blockchain Technology Drive a More Sustainable Supply Chain?

Companies all around the world have started to actively use the blockchain to create a more sustainable supply chain system; what I find most interesting is that major players in almost every industry seem to be finding new ways to use the innovative technology.

Here are just a small number of examples:

1. Walmart: In 2018, Walmart announced a partnership with IBM to use blockchain technology to improve the traceability of its food supply chain. The system allows for the tracking of food products from the farm to the store shelf, enabling quicker and more accurate identification of contaminated products. This not only promotes food safety but also reduces food waste by ensuring that only the affected products are recalled rather than entire batches.

2. Coca-Cola: In 2019, Coca-Cola announced that it would be using blockchain technology to improve transparency and sustainability in its supply chain. The company has partnered with the US State Department and three blockchain firms to create a secure registry of workers in its bottling plants in the Philippines. The system is designed to prevent human rights abuses and promote ethical labour practices.

3. Ford: In 2020, Ford announced that it was partnering with IBM to use blockchain technology to track the sourcing of cobalt used in its electric vehicle batteries. The system allows Ford to trace the cobalt back to the source mine, ensuring that it is sourced responsibly and sustainably.

4. Everledger: Everledger is a blockchain startup that is using the technology to track the provenance of diamonds and other precious gems. The system enables consumers to verify the authenticity and ethical sourcing of the gemstones they purchase, promoting transparency and sustainability in the jewellery industry.

5. BHP: BHP, one of the world’s largest mining companies, has implemented a blockchain-based platform for the tracking of minerals. The platform, called ‘Prosperity’, is designed to improve transparency and traceability in the mining supply chain, with a focus on environmental and social responsibility. The platform allows BHP to track the movement of minerals from the mine to the customer, ensuring that they are sourced ethically and sustainably.

6. Maersk: In 2018, the shipping giant Maersk launched a blockchain-based platform called “TradeLens” to improve transparency and efficiency in the global supply chain. The platform, developed in partnership with IBM, allows for the secure sharing of shipping data and documents between shippers, freight forwarders, and customs officials. By digitizing and streamlining the supply chain, TradeLens reduces paperwork and delays while also promoting transparency and sustainability.

7. Carrefour: Carrefour, a French retail giant, has implemented blockchain technology to improve the traceability and transparency of its food supply chain. The company uses blockchain to track the journey of its food products, from the farm to the store, allowing customers to verify the authenticity and quality of the products they purchase. The system also helps to reduce food waste and promote ethical sourcing practices.

8. Nestle: Nestle, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, has implemented blockchain technology to improve the traceability of its supply chain. The company uses blockchain to track the sourcing of palm oil, cocoa, and other raw materials, ensuring that they are produced sustainably and without harm to the environment or communities. The system also helps to prevent deforestation and promote responsible land use.

9. WWF-Australia: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Australia has developed a blockchain-based platform called ‘OpenSC’ to improve the traceability and transparency of food and other consumer goods. The platform allows consumers to scan a QR code on a product and instantly access information about its origins, including its journey through the supply chain and its environmental and social impact. OpenSC helps to promote sustainable and ethical consumption, empowering consumers to make informed choices about the products they buy.

10. Unilever: Unilever, a global consumer goods company, has partnered with IBM to use blockchain technology to improve the traceability and sustainability of its supply chain. The company uses blockchain to track the sourcing of tea, palm oil, and other raw materials, ensuring that they are produced sustainably and without harm to the environment or communities. The system also helps to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers by providing them with better access to markets and information.

These examples demonstrate the potential of blockchain technology to transform supply chain management and promote sustainability across a range of industries. By enabling more accurate tracking of products and resources, blockchain can help companies to reduce waste, promote ethical practices, and improve efficiency, while also empowering consumers to make informed choices about the products they buy. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see even more innovative applications for sustainable supply chain management in the years to come.

And I, for one, am quite excited to see the difference that blockchain will make in the long run.