SusChain
SusChain is a free, open source platform for recording, organizing, and sharing supply chain information about raw material sourcing.
What SusChain is
SusChain is a free, open source platform for recording, organizing, and sharing supply chain information about raw material sourcing. It creates a verifiable digital record intended to help trace materials and make supply chain data accessible to consumers. Transactions can be matched with regional economic data to help assess whether growers receive a real living income. Tools support capturing, enriching, and sharing data through the supply chain, while cryptographic controls let users decide what is public and what stays private. Organizations can configure data structures, localize the browser-based interface, and extend the platform through an open API and plugins. SusChain is designed for remote areas with variable network conditions and low-cost, low-power hardware. Its progressive block-signing technology is intended to make recorded 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 targets manufacturers and brands that rely on agricultural sourcing, as well as public institutions, NGOs, and foundations.
Good
- Free to run, modify, and distribute.
- Supports end-to-end raw material traceability.
- Users control which data is public or private.
- Can run locally, in the cloud, or hybrid.
- Designed for variable connectivity and low-power hardware.
Watch out
- The stated target includes agricultural sourcing supply chains.
- The platform is designed around low-cost, low-power hardware.
Who it suits
SusChain is suited to manufacturers and brands working with agricultural sourcing, along with public institutions, NGOs, and foundations seeking to capture and share supply chain information. Its low-connectivity design also fits operations in remote areas.
Verdict
SusChain brings supply chain records, privacy controls, and traceability into an open source platform with multiple deployment options. Its agricultural sourcing focus and low-connectivity design are useful considerations when deciding whether it fits an operation.
Plans and prices
From SusChain's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | free to run · modify · distribute |
The facts
Each one read from SusChain's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API and plugins
- The project describes an open API and a plugin ecosystem for extending the platform.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cocoa transparency purpose
- The project was developed to provide complete transparency across cocoa value chains through modern data visualization.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Compliance use case
- The commercial site says its validated data supports EUDR compliance and verification of sustainability claims.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Consumer access
- The initiative’s concept uses QR codes on product packaging to let consumers inspect supply-chain information before purchase.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Configurable data structures, localization and a browser front end support adaptation to different regions and operations.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Data capture
- SusChain provides tools for capturing, enriching and sharing supply-chain data.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- SusChain can run on local, cloud-based or hybrid server infrastructure.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- SusChain offers an open API and a plugin universe for extending the platform.checked 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.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Launch history
- A Swiss business magazine reports that SCHÖKI launched the SusChain initiative in mid-2020.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- Independent project documentation describes the software as free under an open-source licence but does not name a specific licence.checked 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.checked 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.checked 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: schedule delays
- COVID-19 affected the team and delayed planned pilot implementations, which were removed from the original timetable.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Living-income verification
- Supply-chain transactions can be compared with regional economic data to assess whether growers receive a real living income.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Low-connectivity operation
- The system is designed for remote areas with variable connectivity and low-cost, low-power hardware.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Low-connectivity use
- The platform is designed for remote areas with variable network conditions and low-cost, low-power hardware.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Company headquarters
- SusChain GmbH lists Dorfstrasse 34, 6005 Lucerne, Switzerland as its address.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The commercial entity is SusChain GmbH, registered in Lucerne under company number CHE-429.094.219.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company management
- SusChain GmbH lists Oliver von Braun-Dams and Florian Studer as managing directors.checked 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Luzern, Switzerlandchecked 28 Sep 2026
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