Top 20 Blockchain in Supply Chain Case Studies in 2025

Blockchain technology is gaining popularity as a solution to long-standing problems in supply chain management. By offering a decentralized and tamper-proof method for recording transactions, blockchain can address issues related to traceability, transparency, and trust among supply chain partners.

Explore 20 case studies of businesses from different industries using blockchain in supply chain to improve visibility, accuracy, and operational efficiency.

Top 20 blockchain in supply chain case studies

Note: The table is sorted in alphabetical order by customer name.

What is blockchain in supply chain?

Expand Graphic

Figure 1: Blockchain in supply chain processes by PwC.¹

Blockchain in supply chain refers to the use of distributed ledger technology to record, verify, and share data related to supply chain activities across multiple participants. The ledger is tamper-proof, transparent, and decentralized, enabling real-time visibility of transactions and asset movements. It reduces reliance on intermediaries, allowing supply chain partners to access shared information with higher accuracy and trust.

The blockchain network logs each transaction into a block, which is cryptographically secured and linked together with previous entries. Once added, blocks cannot be modified, making the data immutable. This system is especially valuable in supply chain management, where multiple independent parties interact and where traceability, transparency, and data integrity are critical.

Core capabilities

1. Traceability and transparency: Blockchain creates a permanent, auditable record of each transaction across the entire supply chain, from origin to destination. This enhances visibility, detects discrepancies early, and ensures that all parties work with a single source of truth.
2. Data immutability and integrity: Once recorded on the blockchain, data cannot be altered without the consensus of all parties. This ensures that all entries are verifiable and secure, which is essential for verifying product authenticity, certifications, and compliance.
3. Smart contracts: Smart contracts are programmable rules stored on the blockchain. They automate payments, inspections, or other actions based on predefined conditions. This reduces delays and manual processing.
4. Decentralized access control: Each participant in the chain can access the necessary data without relying on a central authority. Permissioned blockchains can be used to manage access rights.
5. Interoperability with emerging technologies: Blockchain can be integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, enabling real-time tracking of goods and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, which is especially useful for food or pharmaceuticals.

Blockchain in supply chain use cases

Product traceability

Track the origin and movement of goods to help prevent counterfeiting and ensure quality. For example, tracing food products from farm to shelf.

ESG and ethical sourcing

Verify sustainable sourcing, labor practices, and environmental impact throughout the supply chain. This is becoming increasingly crucial due to regulations such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.

Inventory management

Utilize real-time data for more accurate stock levels, thereby reducing overstocking and shortages.

Quality assurance

Validate compliance at every stage of the production process. All changes are recorded, enabling audits without the need for extensive manual checks.

Counterfeit prevention

Especially relevant in the pharmaceutical and luxury goods industries, where product authentication is critical.

Automated payments

Trigger payments automatically upon delivery confirmation through smart contracts, reducing disputes and settlement times.

The benefits of blockchain in supply chain

Improved traceability

Blockchain creates an immutable record of transactions, enabling products to be traced from their point of origin to their final destination. This ensures that every step across the supply chain is verifiable, helping companies identify defects, reduce product recalls, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Greater transparency

A shared, distributed ledger provides all authorized participants with access to the same data in real-time, thereby removing information silos and enabling better decision-making by making the flow of goods, payments, and documentation visible throughout the supply chain.

Enhanced data integrity

Blockchain ensures that once data is recorded, it cannot be altered without the consensus of all parties involved. This reduces the risk of fraud, misreporting, and disputes between parties. The tamper-proof nature of the ledger strengthens trust among supply chain partners.

Faster processes through automation

Smart contracts automate routine activities, such as payment release or inventory updates, once specific conditions are met. This minimizes delays, eliminates manual interventions, and increases the speed of transactions across the network.

Lower operational costs

By removing intermediaries and reducing reliance on paper documentation, blockchain helps lower administrative expenses. It simplifies processes like audit trails and customs clearance, which often require extensive manual validation.

Challenges of blockchain in supply chain

System integration difficulties

Many companies still rely on legacy systems that are not designed to work with blockchain. Integrating distributed ledger technology with these existing tools can require substantial time, technical adjustments, and financial investment.

Scalability constraints

Public blockchains may struggle to handle high volumes of transactions quickly. This becomes a problem in large-scale supply chain operations where speed and responsiveness are essential. Private chains help mitigate this, but may reduce decentralization.

Cybersecurity and privacy concerns

While blockchain itself is secure, the broader system may still be vulnerable. Poor implementation, insecure endpoints, or weak access controls can expose sensitive data or allow unauthorized transactions.

Cost and skill shortages

Developing and maintaining a blockchain-based system requires skilled professionals and substantial financial resources. For many organizations, especially smaller ones, the high costs and limited talent pool are significant barriers to adoption.

Here are some of the best practices to mitigate these challenges:

Identify relevant use cases

Start with well-defined problems where blockchain adds measurable value, such as improving traceability, automating compliance, or reducing disputes. Avoid overengineering solutions for low-impact areas.

Plan for integration early

Assess how blockchain will interact with current systems. Involve IT teams from the outset to prevent delays and ensure that data flows seamlessly between platforms, without duplication or conflict.

Prioritize security

Use strong encryption, access controls, and audit mechanisms. Ensure that both on-chain and off-chain components are protected. Involve cybersecurity experts during the design and implementation stages.

Collaborate with supply chain partners

Effective blockchain use requires agreement among multiple stakeholders. Establish shared standards, responsibilities, and governance models so that all parties benefit and risks are jointly managed.

Choose the right network structure

Select a blockchain type: public, private, or consortium, based on business needs, scalability, and required trust levels. Consider who will control access and how consensus will be achieved.

Monitor and adapt

After deployment, track performance metrics and gather feedback to ensure ongoing success. Use this information to refine smart contracts, adjust network configurations, or scale up usage in additional supply chain processes.

Reference Links

1

Blockchain in the supply chain - PwC

Principal Analyst

Cem Dilmegani

Principal Analyst

Follow On

Cem has been the principal analyst at AIMultiple since 2017. AIMultiple informs hundreds of thousands of businesses (as per similarWeb) including 55% of Fortune 500 every month.

Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.

Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.

He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.

Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

View Full Profile

Researched by

Sıla Ermut

Industry Analyst

Follow On

Sıla Ermut is an industry analyst at AIMultiple focused on email marketing and sales videos. She previously worked as a recruiter in project management and consulting firms. Sıla holds a Master of Science degree in Social Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.

View Full Profile

Comments 0

Share Your Thoughts

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required.

Name

Email Address

Comment

0/450

Post Comment