The Hashgraph Group (THG), science and technology company Merck and PwC Germany have developed a cocoa traceability solution that combines physical product authentication, blockchain-based records and enterprise process design.
In a media release, THG said the pilot is designed to help cocoa processors, manufacturers and brands track product information across the supply chain, including origin, authenticity, quality, compliance and chain-of-custody data.
According to THG, the solution also demonstrates how digital product passports can connect physical products with verifiable digital records.
The solution integrates THG’s TrackTrace Digital Product Passport platform, Merck’s M-Trust™ physical authentication technology and PwC Germany’s consulting and implementation expertise. TrackTrace records supply-chain, quality and compliance events on the Hedera network, while M-Trust™ is used to verify the authenticity of physical products or packaging.
THG said the approach is intended to address fragmented data and increasing regulatory requirements affecting cocoa supply chains. The solution is designed to support preparations for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the broader adoption of Digital Product Passports under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).
At defined verification points, product information can be captured through scans, system integrations or process inputs. The resulting digital record can include origin information, quality records, certificates, due diligence documentation and authentication events, with selected information potentially shared with consumers through QR codes or other scanning experiences.
Stefan Deiss, CEO and Co-Founder of The Hashgraph Group, said the initiative demonstrates how traceability can extend beyond documentation and self-declared claims.
“By integrating TrackTrace with Merck’s M-Trust™ technology and PwC’s process expertise, we can link any physical product, not limited to cocoa, to a trusted digital record,” Deiss said.
Thomas Endress, Executive Director and Head of M-Trust™ at Merck, said physical authentication is an important component of digital traceability.
“Digital traceability only delivers its full value when it is connected to physical proof,” Endress said.
PwC Germany Enterprise Blockchain Lead Husen Kapasi said the solution could also support compliance investigations and food recalls by providing a verifiable record of raw materials and finished products.
“Ultimately, the solution empowers companies to shift their perception of compliance from a cost burden to a driver of value creation,” Kapasi said.
While cocoa is the initial application, THG said the architecture is intended for other industries where provenance, authenticity, quality and regulatory compliance are important, including pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, electronics and industrial components.
The companies also noted that broader deployment would require operating procedures, partner onboarding, training, data governance and change management alongside the technology.
