Blockchain-Based Dangerous Goods Management with Dragon
Sector: Secondary sector · Industry: Metal industry · Organisation: Fraunhofer IML mit Industriepartnern · Maturity level: Pilot
Fraunhofer IML is developing the Dragon blockchain device (Device for reliable dangerous goods transport) as part of the European Blockchain Institute NRW for tamper-proof dangerous goods logistics with sensor monitoring and smart contracts. The project addresses the high documentation requirements, legal regulations and flexibility limitations in dangerous goods management. A prototype was presented in October 2020, with plans to expand to temperature-sensitive goods such as metal raw materials.
Documentation status
- Project status: Pilot
- Evidence: Evidence high
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML, Dortmund) developed with DRAGON (Digital Rights Management and Dangerous Goods Optimisation) and the follow-up project dangerous a blockchain platform for fully digital dangerous goods management. The project was documented in several Fraunhofer IML publications and press releases.
Dangerous goods transports by road, rail, air and sea are subject to strict international regulations: ADR (road), RID (rail), IMDG (sea), IATA DGR (air). Each transport requires: shipper’s declaration, safety data sheet (SDS), transport document, certificate of the ADR driver, if applicable tunnel restriction code and hazard labels. These documents are carried in paper form; inspections require manual checks. DRAGON solves this: all documents are stored digitally on the blockchain; carriers, recipients and regulatory authorities have authorised read access. Smart Contracts automatically check whether a driver has the correct ADR qualification for the transported dangerous goods class. The Fraunhofer IML Project Centre Traffic Logistics Prien carried out the project; the publication Dangerous Goods meets Blockchain in the journal Logistik entdecken documents the results. The follow-up project dangerous extended the system to fully digital dangerous goods management.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Logistics providers, chemical companies and carriers can provide all dangerous goods documents digitally and secured by blockchain with DRAGON — regulatory authorities can check them immediately digitally, and drivers no longer have to carry paper folders.
B2C — consumers perspective
End customers indirectly benefit from safer dangerous goods transports through increased transparency and reduced error rates in the supply chain for metal processing industries.
Employees perspective
Employees in dangerous goods management are relieved from the automation of repetitive documentation tasks and can focus on more qualified activities such as safety analyses and problem solving. Real-time transparency enables faster response times in case of deviations.
Benefits
General
- Blockchain technology ensures tamper-proof and traceable documentation of all transport data from sender to recipient.
- Smart Contracts automate compliance checks and significantly reduce the manual effort for communication with authorities.
- The combination of IoT sensors and blockchain enables seamless real-time monitoring of transport conditions.
B2B — organisations
- Companies can significantly reduce their process costs through automation of documentation and faster regulatory processing.
Employees
- Specialists are relieved from routine tasks and can focus on more value-adding activities such as safety analyses.
Challenges
General
- Harmonising IoT protocols between different partners and systems requires considerable coordination work and standardised interfaces.
- Integrating the blockchain solution into existing logistics management systems and customs software presents a technical challenge.
- Acceptance among traditional logistics companies still needs to be built through convincing pilot projects and training.
B2B — organisations
- The coordination effort between different partners in the supply chain can slow down implementation and increase costs.
Employees
- Employees need to be trained in handling the new technology, which can cause temporary productivity losses during the transition phase.
Technology foundation
The project uses blockchain-based open-source software components combined with specialised IoT devices. This combination enables tamper-proof storage of transport data, document querying, seamless tracking as well as automated execution of Smart Contracts for compliance checks. The open-source orientation facilitates cross-industry adoption and adaptation to different dangerous goods classes.
Implementation examples
Dragon Blockchain Device Prototype
The project addresses the extensive documentation requirements, legal regulations, and flexibility constraints in hazardous goods management. Companies face the challenge of preventing tampered or faulty documents and efficiently coordinating with multiple authorities.
Fraunhofer IML developed the Dragon blockchain device for tamper-proof hazardous goods transports with integrated sensor monitoring and smart contract functionality.
The prototype of the Dragon device was presented at Fraunhofer IML in October 2020. The device combines IoT sensor technology with blockchain technology for secure monitoring of hazardous goods transports. The dangerous project expands the solution with additional smart contract functionalities for automatic compliance checks. The development was funded with 7.6 million euros by the state of NRW and planned an open-source release of the results by 2023.
The solution minimises manipulation risks in transport documents through immutable blockchain registration and automates approval processes via smart contracts. Real-time sensor monitoring enables immediate response to deviations.
Tags
Dangerous goods logistics, Supply chain transparency, Smart Contracts, IoT integration, Documentation automation