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Traceability Platform Based on Green Blockchain: An Application Case Study in Dairy Supply Chain

Author

Listed:
  • Giuseppe Varavallo

    (LINKS Foundation, Via Boggio 61, 10138 Turin, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Caragnano

    (LINKS Foundation, Via Boggio 61, 10138 Turin, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Bertone

    (LINKS Foundation, Via Boggio 61, 10138 Turin, Italy)

  • Luca Vernetti-Prot

    (Institut Agricole Régional (IAR), Regione la Rochere 1, 11100 Aosta, Italy)

  • Olivier Terzo

    (LINKS Foundation, Via Boggio 61, 10138 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

Recent progress in IoT and software development has simplified data acquisition and immutability of information in the agri-food supply chain. In the last few years, several frameworks and applications were proposed to ensure traceability in the agri-food-sector using distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as Blockchain technologies. Still, no other study has presented a Blockchain-based traceability platform with a lower impact on the environment and lower cost for each transaction sent by the supply chain. This article presents a traceability platform based on Green Blockchain with low energy consumption and costs savings applied to the Fontina PDO cheese supply chain, part of the project “Typicalp”, funded by the European Union (EU). The proposed traceability system is based on Algorand Blockchain, which uses the Pure Proof-of-Stake mechanism of consensus that requires minimal computational power, is highly scalable and environmentally sustainable. In addition to the environmental and financial benefits, the developed traceability platform has made it possible to digitize the entire production chain, making the data immutable and available in real-time for Fontina consortium operators and final consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuseppe Varavallo & Giuseppe Caragnano & Fabrizio Bertone & Luca Vernetti-Prot & Olivier Terzo, 2022. "Traceability Platform Based on Green Blockchain: An Application Case Study in Dairy Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3321-:d:769404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Boyu Liu & Xiameng Si & Haiyan Kang, 2022. "A Literature Review of Blockchain-Based Applications in Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    2. Zhang, Junhuan & Cai, Kewei & Zhao, Qiuhong, 2025. "Warehouse receipt pledge financing using blockchain data asset," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    3. Hongkun Lu & Hong Cheng, 2025. "Blockchain Investment Strategies in Co-Opetitive Supply Chain: Considering Brand Spillover Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-25, May.
    4. Malik, Mohit & Mor, Rahul S & Gahlawat, Vijay Kumar & Kumar, Vikas, 2026. "Unlocking the potential: hybrid blockchain and AI-enabled traceability model development and implementation in the dairy industry – proof-of-concept," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    5. Suchit Pongnumkul & Patcharawadee Ittipornpaisarn & Suporn Pongnumkul, 2025. "Comparison of blockchain vs. centralised IT infrastructure costs for food traceability: a Thai broiler supply chain case study," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Yunus Kareem & Djamel Djenouri & Essam Ghadafi, 2024. "A Survey on Emerging Blockchain Technology Platforms for Securing the Internet of Things," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, August.
    7. Tan, Yiheng & Huang, Xiying & Li, Wei, 2023. "Does blockchain-based traceability system guarantee information authenticity? An evolutionary game approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    8. Minyi Xu & Shujian Ma & Gang Wang, 2022. "Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Based on Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, June.
    9. Goran Bjelobaba & Marija Paunovic & Ana Savic & Hana Stefanovic & Jelena Doganjic & Zivanka Miladinovic Bogavac, 2022. "Blockchain Technologies and Digitalization in Function of Student Work Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, April.
    10. Junbo He & Min Fan & Yaojun Fan, 2024. "Digital transformation and supply chain efficiency improvement: An empirical study from a-share listed companies in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(4), pages 1-21, April.
    11. Priyanka Vern & Anupama Panghal & Rahul S Mor & Sachin S. Kamble, 2025. "Blockchain technology in the agri-food supply chain: a systematic literature review of opportunities and challenges," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 643-675, February.
    12. Büşra Ayan & Elif Güner & Semen Son-Turan, 2022. "Blockchain Technology and Sustainability in Supply Chains and a Closer Look at Different Industries: A Mixed Method Approach," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-39, December.
    13. Atul Kumar Singh & V. R. Prasath Kumar & Muhammad Irfan & Saeed Reza Mohandes & Usama Awan, 2023. "Revealing the Barriers of Blockchain Technology for Supply Chain Transparency and Sustainability in the Construction Industry: An Application of Pythagorean FAHP Methods," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-27, July.
    14. Kadim Lahcen Nadime & Jamal Benhra & Rajaa Benabbou & Salma Mouatassim, 2025. "The Impact of Emerging Blockchain Trends on Supply Chain Management," SN Operations Research Forum, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-35, March.
    15. Xin Zhang & Yue Li & Xiangzhen Peng & Zhiyao Zhao & Jiaqi Han & Jiping Xu, 2022. "Information Traceability Model for the Grain and Oil Food Supply Chain Based on Trusted Identification and Trusted Blockchain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-21, May.
    16. Priyanka Vern & Anupama Panghal & Rahul S Mor & Vikas Kumar & Sandeep Jagtap, 2025. "Blockchain-based traceability framework for agri-food supply chain: a proof-of-concept," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 554-573, June.
    17. Wankmüller, Christian & Pulsfort, Johannes & Kunovjanek, Maximilian & Polt, Romana & Craß, Stefan & Reiner, Gerald, 2023. "Blockchain-based tokenization and its impact on plastic bottle supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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