- Home
- Product Traceability Software
- SusChain
SusChain
Luzern, Switzerland
What it is
SusChain is a free, open source platform for recording and sharing supply chain information about raw material sourcing. It provides tools to capture, enrich and share data across a supply chain, creating a verifiable digital trail intended to help consumers trace raw materials. Transactions 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 stays private, with cryptographic controls. Configurable data structures, a localizable interface and browser-based front end support adaptation to different regions and operations. An open API and plugin universe allow extension. SusChain is designed for remote areas with variable connectivity and low-cost, low-power hardware. Its progressive block-signing approach is intended to make transactions immutable, externally verifiable and traceable. It can run on local, cloud-based or hybrid server infrastructure and is described as supporting operations from small businesses to multinational supply chains. The initiative seeks manufacturers and brands that rely on agricultural sourcing, as well as public institutions, NGOs and foundations.
For and against
For
- Free to run, modify and distribute.
- Users control which information is public or private.
- Can be deployed locally, in the cloud or in hybrid infrastructure.
- Designed for variable connectivity and low-cost, low-power hardware.
Against
- Its stated focus is raw material sourcing.
- The living-income check is framed as helping assess growers' income, not guaranteeing it.
The verdict
SusChain provides configurable, extensible tools for recording and sharing raw-material supply chain data. Its privacy controls and deployment options support varied operations, including remote areas.
Who it suits
SusChain is intended for manufacturers and brands with agricultural sourcing, along with public institutions, NGOs and foundations that need to capture or share supply chain information.
Plans and prices
Free
free to run · modify · distribute
Read 15 Oct 2026 · suschain.org
On the record
- API and plugins
- The project describes an open API and a plugin ecosystem for extending the platform.suschain.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cocoa transparency purpose
- The project was developed to provide complete transparency across cocoa value chains through modern data visualization.helvetas.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- SusChain GmbH lists Dorfstrasse 34, 6005 Lucerne, Switzerland as its address.suschain.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The commercial entity is SusChain GmbH, registered in Lucerne under company number CHE-429.094.219.suschain.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company management
- SusChain GmbH lists Oliver von Braun-Dams and Florian Studer as managing directors.suschain.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- 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.suschain.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compliance use case
- The commercial site says its validated data supports EUDR compliance and verification of sustainability claims.suschain.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Consumer access
- The initiative’s concept uses QR codes on product packaging to let consumers inspect supply-chain information before purchase.voegeli.ch · read 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Configurable data structures, localization and a browser front end support adaptation to different regions and operations.suschain.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Data capture
- SusChain provides tools for capturing, enriching and sharing supply-chain data.suschain.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- SusChain can run on local, cloud-based or hybrid server infrastructure.suschain.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- SusChain offers an open API and a plugin universe for extending the platform.suschain.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The initiative seeks product manufacturers and brands in sectors that rely on agricultural sourcing, as well as public institutions, NGOs and foundations.suschain.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Launch history
- A Swiss business magazine reports that SCHÖKI launched the SusChain initiative in mid-2020.voegeli.ch · read 15 Oct 2026
- License
- Independent project documentation describes the software as free under an open-source licence but does not name a specific licence.helvetas.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: documentation effort
- Project guidance recommends exhaustive requirements and documentation because gaps can cause delays and higher costs when team members or conditions change.helvetas.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: further investment
- The Swiss cocoa project states that additional investment was needed to reach a complete, user-friendly, well-developed and documented release.kakaoplattform.ch · read 15 Oct 2026
- 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.helvetas.org · read 15 Oct 2026
