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SusChain

suschain.org

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Spec score 8.3 #1 of 27 in Product Traceability Software

What it is

SusChain is a free, open source platform for visualizing, capturing, enriching, and sharing supply-chain information about raw-material sourcing. It creates a verifiable digital trail for tracing materials and presenting supply-chain data to consumers. Transaction records can be matched with regional economic data to help assess whether growers receive a real living income. Users choose which information is public and which remains private, with cryptographic controls securing those choices. Configurable data structures, a localizable interface, and a browser-based front end support adaptation across regions and operations. An open API and plugin universe provide extension options. Progressive block signing is intended to make recorded transactions immutable, externally verifiable, and traceable. SusChain is designed for remote areas with variable connectivity and low-cost, low-power hardware. It can run on local, cloud-based, or hybrid infrastructure, from small businesses through multinational supply operations. The Free plan costs nothing and permits running, modifying, and distributing the platform.

Spec sheet

What it does
SusChain records, verifies, visualizes and shares end-to-end supply-chain information, especially for raw-material sourcing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Purpose
SusChain is an open source platform for visualizing and sharing supply chain information about raw material sourcing.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Intended users
The initiative seeks product manufacturers and brands in sectors that rely on agricultural sourcing, as well as public institutions, NGOs and foundations.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Deployment
SusChain can run on local, cloud-based or hybrid server infrastructure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Privacy
Users can control which data is public and which remains private, with controls secured by cryptography.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Support
The site invites inquiries and partnership requests by email at [email protected].Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
License
Independent project documentation describes the software as free under an open-source licence but does not name a specific licence.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Headquarters
Luzern, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · suschain.org
API and plugins
The project describes an open API and a plugin ecosystem for extending the platform.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Cocoa transparency purpose
The project was developed to provide complete transparency across cocoa value chains through modern data visualization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Company headquarters
SusChain GmbH lists Dorfstrasse 34, 6005 Lucerne, Switzerland as its address.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.net
Company legal name
The commercial entity is SusChain GmbH, registered in Lucerne under company number CHE-429.094.219.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.net
Company management
SusChain GmbH lists Oliver von Braun-Dams and Florian Studer as managing directors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.net
Company services
SusChain GmbH offers services for cooperatives and farmers covering sustainability, fairness, professionalization, digitalization and market access, plus responsibly sourced cocoa and validated data for clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.net
Compliance use case
The commercial site says its validated data supports EUDR compliance and verification of sustainability claims.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.net
Consumer access
The initiative’s concept uses QR codes on product packaging to let consumers inspect supply-chain information before purchase.Read 15 Oct 2026 · voegeli.ch
Customization
Configurable data structures, localization and a browser front end support adaptation to different regions and operations.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Data capture
SusChain provides tools for capturing, enriching and sharing supply-chain data.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Extensibility
SusChain offers an open API and a plugin universe for extending the platform.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Launch history
A Swiss business magazine reports that SCHÖKI launched the SusChain initiative in mid-2020.Read 15 Oct 2026 · voegeli.ch
Limit: documentation effort
Project guidance recommends exhaustive requirements and documentation because gaps can cause delays and higher costs when team members or conditions change.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Limit: further investment
The Swiss cocoa project states that additional investment was needed to reach a complete, user-friendly, well-developed and documented release.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kakaoplattform.ch
Limit: requirements complexity
The project report says feature definitions had to be revised repeatedly because supply-chain complexity, data integrity, immutability and verifiability were underestimated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Limit: schedule delays
COVID-19 affected the team and delayed planned pilot implementations, which were removed from the original timetable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Living income
The initiative says supply chain transactions can be matched with regional economic data to help verify whether growers receive a real living income.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Living-income verification
Supply-chain transactions can be compared with regional economic data to assess whether growers receive a real living income.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Low-connectivity operation
The system is designed for remote areas with variable connectivity and low-cost, low-power hardware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Low-connectivity use
The platform is designed for remote areas with variable network conditions and low-cost, low-power hardware.Read 9 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Open-source status
The initiative says the software is free for anyone to run, modify and distribute.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Pilot regions
Planned pilots were described for Ghana, Uganda and Peru, beginning with Ghana.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Planned first production use
The Swiss cocoa project expected the first SusChain-traced cocoa to enter SCHÖKI production in spring 2023.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kakaoplattform.ch
Privacy controls
Users can control which information is public and which remains private, with cryptographic protection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Project funding
The Ghana project had a CHF 500,000 budget, including CHF 250,000 from Switzerland’s SECO.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Project partners
The documented partners include SCHÖKI, Max Felchlin, Chocolat Stella Bernrain and the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kakaoplattform.ch
Security statement
The initiative says strong cryptography protects data-access controls and transaction records.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Sustainability design
Its trust and trace approach is described as blockchain-like while avoiding blockchain’s high-redundancy distributed infrastructure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Traceability
The platform creates a verifiable digital trail for raw materials from origin through finished products.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Tracked data types
The documented design covers farmers, farms, crops, raw-material payments, transport, production processes and final products.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org
Transaction integrity
Progressive block signing is intended to make recorded transactions immutable, externally verifiable and traceable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
Web technology
The independent project report describes SusChain as an expandable open-source solution built with modern web technologies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · helvetas.org

Plans and prices

Free Free free to run · modify · distribute Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org

Every SusChain plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • End-to-end raw-material traceability
  • Public and private data controls
  • Open API and plugin universe
  • Works with low-connectivity environments
  • Local, cloud, or hybrid deployment

Limits

  • Requires organizations to configure data structures
  • Designed around supply-chain sourcing information
  • No paid plan details are listed

Who it suits

SusChain targets manufacturers and brands relying on agricultural sourcing, along with public institutions, NGOs, and foundations. It suits organizations needing configurable, end-to-end traceability across varied infrastructure.

Verdict

SusChain combines traceability, privacy controls, and extensibility for agricultural supply chains. Its deployment options and low-connectivity design support varied operating environments.

Where Specifiction places it

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