How Blockchain In Manufacturing Is Evolving The Industry?

Blockchain technology bridges technological transformation across various industrial sectors in an era of heightened efficiency, security, and collaboration.

Many manufacturing companies use blockchain to improve supply chain management, simplify compliance tracking, optimize maintenance, manage inventory, and other essential manufacturing aspects.

With blockchain, manufacturers can enhance traceability, reduce fraud, enable seamless collaboration, and elevate stakeholder trust.

As per a report from Skyquestt.com, the global market of blockchain in manufacturing was valued at $542.56M in 2022 and is expected to reach $70058.5M by 2030 at a CAGR of 71.6% in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.

The growing market of blockchain in manufacturing indicates its true potential to evaluate the manufacturing sector with different advantages and potential use cases.

Here’s a deep dive into the benefits of blockchain for manufacturing and how companies are applying the technology.

What Is Blockchain In Manufacturing?

A distributed and decentralized digital ledger, where each transaction is recorded as a “ block” where they are linked together as a “chain.” 

Blockchain technology in manufacturing refers to blockchain applications that levitate the manufacturing industry with various operations such as data security, supply chain management, etc.

This decentralized technology helps the manufacturer to streamline operations, track assets and gain visibility into supply chains. Manufacturers can use blockchain technology to create products by assembling thousands of parts from multiple suppliers.

For example, automakers use thousands of components from various sources to build cars, making them responsible for delivering the car reliably and safely. As technology helps manufacturers to track down and replace the parts that are causing the problem. 

How Can Blockchain Improve Manufacturing?

Blockchain offers a comprehensive range of benefits to the manufacturing industry, including inventory management, traceability of components, and other supply chain applications.

Moreover, blockchain technology can also be applied to automating payments and improving HR. Here are some different ways blockchain technology is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.

1. Improved Traceability

Blockchain technology offers end-to-end visibility into the supply chain management to the manufacturers. This traceability is valuable for various applications, such as helping manufacturers use genuine components from verified suppliers and track the problem source for any products.

2. Optimized Data Security

Blockchain technology enhances data security by offering temper proof transactions, where each party must verify each transaction before adding them to the blockchain.

3. Automated Payments

Manufacturers can utilize smart contracts that get auto-executed after meeting certain conditions. Blockchain technology is beneficial for eliminating manual effort and the likelihood of payment errors.

For example, based on an existing service agreement, a smart contract could automate payments where a maintenance provider is paid automatically from a digital wallet when it performs a maintenance operation on factory equipment.

4. Enhanced Inventory Management

Blockchain networks involve accurate record data, which helps manufacturers to access the data about what was shipped to whom and when it was received.

This help eliminates manual data entry records and helps manufacturers manage goods and ensure the replenishment for meeting inventory requirements.

5. Improved Human Resources Management

Blockchain helps companies manage various labor-intensive HR tasks, such as hiring seasonal or part-time labor. Blockchain technology helps manufacturers pay workers accordingly based on tracking their working hours. 

Managing and recording people’s employment history becomes easier and quicker for companies to verify candidates’ accomplishments. 

6. Supply Chain Transparency

Blockchain offers a transparent and immutable entire record of the supply chain, from material sourcing to the end product. Supply chain transparency enables consumers to verify the origin, authenticity, and quality of products, reducing the risk of counterfeit goods and improving trust. 

7. Intellectual Property Protection

Manufacturers can utilize blockchain technology to establish a secure and tamper-proof record of intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents, and trademarks, helping them protect their innovation and enforce their rights.

8. Data Sharing and Collaboration

Blockchain can create a secure platform for sharing data, documents, and information. This ensures everyone can access up-to-date and accurate information while maintaining data privacy. 

9. Inventory Management

Blockchain enables manufacturers to efficiently start inventory management with cost savings by enhancing real-time visibility into inventory levels and distribution networks, which reduces the chances of overstock situations and stockouts.

Use Cases For Blockchain In Manufacturing

Blockchain technology can support various manufacturing facility operations, including quality control, maintenance, and inventory management. 

Also, manufacturers can use blockchain technology for various supply chain applications, such as tracking the origin of supplies and monitoring their regulatory compliance. Here are some popular use cases of blockchain in manufacturing.

1. Supply Chain Management 

Blockchain technology provides a single verified source that all parties can access, update and check the status of supplies and manage payments. Supply chain management is one of the most common blockchain manufacturing use cases.

With private blockchain, manufacturers can ensure that companies have visibility only into certain parts of the data. For example, a supplier might be able to see which products contain their components but would not be able to see the products that contain components from their competitors.

2. Tracking The Authenticity Of Supplies

Manufacturers from different industrial sectors face challenges regarding counterfeit products and supply chain fraud. Using blockchain technology, the manufacturer can track materials from the original supplier through every step of their journey.

3. Compliance And Responsible Sourcing

Blockchain technology helps manufacturers to meet complex regulatory requirements, as the technology enables them to show how their products are built from materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced. For example, manufacturers can track compliance documentation for roughly 30,000 parts of each new car. 

Moreover, blockchain technology helps manufacturer and their partners to manage documentation for a complex set of regulations that are related to the environment, national safety, and any specific industry.

4. Equipment Maintenance 

Manufacturers can automate scheduled maintenance and improve asset utilization with a reduction in costly downtime by using blockchain technology.

Moreover, manufacturers can equip machines with sensors and  IoT devices, enabling companies to track the machinery’s operating status better.  Also, manufacturers can use blockchain-based smart contracts to trigger maintenance based on existing service agreements and the machine’s conditions.

5. Product Life-Cycle Monitoring

Blockchain technology track product and their components throughout their entire lifecycle after they have been delivered to their customers.

For example, aircraft manufacturers can determine which component should be used in each airplane by monitoring product lifecycle with blockchain technology. Moreover, manufacturers can use lifecycle monitoring data to understand problems such as component failure.

Later this data can be used to improve sourcing as it provides an abundance of data that includes historical reliability and performance of components from different suppliers.

6. Inventory Management

Manufacturers can access a single source of inventory information that is accessible to all parties, such as manufacturing facilities, suppliers, warehouses, and other business partners.

Also, with blockchain, manufacturers can avoid accumulating costly and excess inventory, helping them to manage the delivery of supplies at the right time and monitor them to check whether suppliers meet the promised delivery schedules.

7. Quality Control

Manufacturers can use blockchain technology to provide an immutable record of quality throughout the entire production process, including the quality of inbound materials and quality inspections during manufacturing. The information can later be used to track down the source of any problem after delivering the products to the customers.

How To Implement Blockchain In Manufacturing?

There is the involvement of careful planning and requirement analysis to ensure successful blockchain technology integration in manufacturing. The general guidelines for implementing blockchain technology in manufacturing are as follows. 

1. Identify Use Cases

Decide the areas in manufacturing where there is a requirement for blockchain implementation in their potential use cases, such as quality control, supply chain, transparency, product traceability, etc. Defining the specific use cases will help you to decide the potential applications that blockchain will offer and align with your goals.

2. Assess Feasibility 

Determine the level of complexity for implementing various blockchain applications into your manufacturing infrastructure. Complexity can be determined by identifying the level of required collaboration with stakeholders, the technological challenges involved, and the potential benefits of an investment.

3. Collaboration

For successful blockchain implementation, collaboration is crucial, as it involves multiple parties within the supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and possibly even customers. Therefore, ensure that all the relevant stakeholders are on board and are willing to participate when deciding on blockchain implementation in manufacturing.

4. Select Blockchain Platform

Selecting a suitable blockchain platform is crucial for obtaining optimal returns on your investment. There are various blockchain platforms available to choose from, such as public, private, and consortium. 

Private blockchains offer more control over data access and privacy, while public blockchains like Ethereum offer transparency but are not ideal for keeping sensitive manufacturing data.

5. Design the Network

Consider the following factors like data privacy, scalability, and regularity compliance when designing the blockchain network. Determine the roles and permissions of participants, data structure, the consensus mechanism, and the smart contracts that will govern the overall blockchain interaction with your manufacturing part.

6. Develop Smart Contracts

Automate processes and actions within the blockchain network by developing smart contracts. Smart contracts can trigger events based on predefined conditions, such as initiating quality checks when the product reaches a certain production stage.

7. Data Integration

A crucial part of blockchain implementation where there will be the involvement of connecting IoT devices, sensors, and other data sources to feed real-time data into the blockchain network. 

The data integration will enable you to integrate existing systems and databases with the blockchain network. However, ensure the data is secure and accurate when feeding into the blockchain network.

8. Testing

Stimulate various scenarios to ensure that the system functions as intended and identify any issues or vulnerabilities that must be addressed by testing the blockchain network and smart contracts in a controlled environment. 

9. Pilot Implementation & Scalability

Validate technology effectiveness and identify any practical challenges before scaling the blockchain solution by starting with plot implementation of the blockchain solution in a limited part of your manufacturing process.

Next, gradually scale up the blockchain solution to cover larger portions of your manufacturing operations after successfully implementing the pilot.

10. User Training

Consider providing effective training to your stakeholders and employees that will interact with the blockchain-based manufacturing system. Decide on various user training aspects, such as training them about how to use the platform, access data, and perform transactions securely.

11. Continuous Improvement

Continuously monitor the performance of your blockchain system by gathering feedback from users and making improvements based on evolving needs and technological advancements for further improving the performance of your blockchain system.

Blockchain implementation requires technical expertise, collaboration, and a deep understanding of your manufacturing processes. Therefore, it is recommended to work with experienced blockchain developers and industry experts to guide you through the process and ensure successful blockchain implementation in manufacturing.

Tech Stack For Blockchain Development In Manufacturing

Building a blockchain application involves selecting a tech stack that meets the specific requirements of your project. Here’s a common tech stack for blockchain development:

1. Smart Contract Languages

• Solidity 
• Vyper
• Cadence

2. Development Tools

• Truffle
• Remix
• Hardhat
• Ganache

3. Wallet Integration

• Metamask
• WalletConnect
• Fortmatic, Portis, Torus

4. Testing Tools

• Truffle
• Hardhat

5. Deployment Tools

• Truffle, Hardhat
• Web3.js or ethers.js

6. APIs and SDKs

• Web3.js
• Ethers.js
• Binance Smart Chain APIs

7. Blockchain Platforms

• Ethereum
• Binance Smart Chain
• Hyperledger Fabric
• Corda
• Polkadot

8. Frontend Development

• React
• Vue.js, 
• Angular

9. Security Tools

• OpenZeppelin
• MythX

10. Backend Development

• Node.js
• Express.js

11. Database

• IPFS (InterPlanetary File System)
• PostgreSQL & MongoDB

12. Containerization and Orchestration

• Docker 
• Kubernetes

13. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

• Jenkins 
• Travis CI
• GitLab CI/CD 

14. Scalability Solutions

• Optimistic Rollups 
• zkRollups 

The selection of tech stack will depend on the blockchain platform you’re using, the specific features your application requires, and the expertise of your development team. 

Moreover, regularly updating and maintaining your tech stack is important to stay on trend with the evolving blockchain landscape.

Conclusion

Leveraging the power of blockchain technology in manufacturing helps manufacturers access a real-time view of inventory across all locations enabling them to optimize inventory levels and increase customer satisfaction. 

By working with a reliable blockchain development company, manufacturers can implement customized blockchain solutions to their infrastructure. With blockchain technology implementation, manufacturers can automatically track orders, sales, and inventory levels throughout the inventory life cycle.

Work with us if you are looking for a blockchain development agency that can help you identify your blockchain development needs and strategically implement them in your business.

Our team has expertise across various blockchain development solutions, including metaverse development, smart contracts, NFTs, and other major blockchain development aspects.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with blockchain development solutions.

FAQ

Q. What is the future of blockchain in manufacturing?

A. The future of blockchain technology in manufacturing seems promising as it offers a wide range of applications, such as increasing visibility and security in every industry segment, including sourcing suppliers, quality check floor operations, monitoring, etc.

Q. How can blockchain be used in manufacturing?

A. There are multiple ways blockchain technology can be applied to the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers and their business partners can use blockchain technology to track supply chain transactions, improving transparency and traceability. Moreover, blockchain technology offers the potential for other manufacturing applications, such as maintenance, inventory management, and quality control.

Q. How is blockchain used in the supply chain?

A. Manufacturers can use blockchain technology to track all supply chain transactions among business partners. Blockchain technology is well suited for supply chain management as it provides a complete historical record of all transactions, including each manufacturer’s relationship with its supply partners. 

Q. How can blockchain technology be a game changer in manufacturing?

A. Blockchain technology, due to its ability to offer trusted, immutable records of transactions among multiple companies, many manufacturers are using this technology to track orders and supplier relationships in addition to verifying the authenticity of raw materials and monitoring sustainability and ethical sourcing.