A few hours ago CERA, the certification body for raw materials of which also Volkswagen is part, announced the implementation of a blockchain system for tracing minerals, along with other materials.
In the minerals sector, it is very important to have a certificate attesting to the different information relating to the extraction of raw materials: for example, the geographical location of extraction, the extraction process and the quality of the working environment, information that is essential to monitor and supervise the activities of companies, especially if they adopt unfair methods to achieve maximum profit.
Thanks to CERA, each mineral has its own certificate and there are currently at least 40 different certificates that a company must have in order to be in compliance.
In this case, to ensure a transparent and safe process, CERA has chosen to create a new blockchain for its requirements. It is a hybrid and proprietary database, so all information will be managed centrally. Only a few pieces of information will be open to the public.
Project director Andreas Hucke says that CERA has solved the complex problem of raw materials:
“CERA solves the problem of complexity and inconsistency of sustainability standards in raw materials. We are proud to have developed the most comprehensive certification scheme in existence and of the positive ethical, environmental and sustainability impact to which CERA will contribute.”
Worth noting is the fact that among the project advisors there are important names such as universities, research centres and also the famous car company Volkswagen, which obviously has every interest in using certified raw materials for the manufacturing of its vehicles.
In this case, too, we can see how the blockchain can be used to trace and certify materials. Recently this technology has also been used for the balsamic vinegar of Modena, the finest Italian product.
However, once again, the blockchain seems to be used as a sort of advertising operation, since in reality it is, in this case as well, a private DLT and therefore must be trusted, a concept totally opposite to that of real public blockchain such as Bitcoin.
