SBI deploys blockchain to trace German beer

For a trade promotion event hosted by the agency of the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia, SBI Traceability provided a proof-of-concept implementation of its blockchain-based traceability solution “Shimenawa” to prove the provenance of the local specialty beer, “Alt”, provided by the traditional “Zum Schlüssel” brewery.

The name “Shimenawa” originates from ancient Japanese times, when there has been a very auspicious rope of that name, serving as a “boundary” between the realm of the gods and this world, and preventing the entry of anything impure. SBI chose this ominous name in the hope that, like this “Shimenawa,” its solution will prevent the falsification of information and play the important role of always delivering true information.

Shimenawa uses R3’s Corda as the underlying enterprise blockchain platform, where a unique token is issued for each product as proof of its authenticity, and traced through the full supply chain. Additional information, such as CO2 emissions to determine sustainability, can be recorded as well. The blockchain and the real-world products can be digitally paired through RFID or NFC technology, for example. Consumers are able to display product traceability information on the Shimenawa service app through QR codes.

Estimated pricing for the services is provided on the Shimenawa website, and comes out to approximately JPY 8 for a bag of rice, JPY 6 for a pack of strawberries, or JPY 40 for a bottle of high-quality sake. SBI hopes to leverage off the 350+ corporate players that are participating in the Corda ecosystem, and gain new customers, of course. Generally, one would expect higher-priced goods, such as luxury garments, to be users of this technology.

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