Blockchain-based Cleaning Certificates for Chemical Tanks
Sector: Secondary sector · Industry: Chemical industry · Organisation: TALKE-Gruppe und Blockchain Reallabor · Maturity level: Concept
The TALKE Group is developing a digital solution for tamper-proof documentation of chemical tank cleaning processes in collaboration with Blockchain Reallabor. The system creates digital certificates with digital signatures for each cleaning step, which are stored in a blockchain. The project is still in the planning phase with a planned development period of three years.
Documentation status
- Project status: Concept
- Evidence: Evidence medium
- Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 15 April 2026
Description
The Blockchain Reallabor Huerth (Fraunhofer FIT, RWTH Aachen) developed a blockchain application for certifying tank cleanings in the chemical supply chain as part of the NRW project. Tank trucks transport various chemicals sequentially; cleaning between transports is safety-critical.
In the chemical industry, tank vehicles are used for different chemicals. After transporting one chemical, the tank must be cleaned according to defined protocols before another chemical can be loaded. Certain combinations are highly dangerous: chlorine after ammonia, acid after alkali. The cleaning certificate proves that the cleaning was properly carried out. The problem: paper-based certificates can be forged. The blockchain system of the Reallabor solves this: the tank cleaning operation enters the cleaning protocol and inspection result with timestamp and inspector identity directly into the blockchain system; the immutable certificate can be immediately verified by logisticians, chemical companies, and authorities. The Blockchain Reallabor NRW-Spezial (March 2024) documents this use case as one of the most practical in the region.
Perspectives
B2B — organisations perspective
Chemical companies, logistics providers, and tank cleaning operations can document safety and compliance seamlessly through blockchain-secured cleaning certificates — forgery excluded, certificates instantly verifiable.
Employees perspective
Employees in chemical logistics benefit from simplified inspection processes as manual validation of paper certificates is replaced by automated digital systems. At the same time, new requirements arise for digital skills and handling blockchain-based identity systems.
Benefits
General
- Blockchain technology ensures the immutability and authenticity of cleaning certificates, preventing fraud and manipulation.
- Automation of certificate verification significantly speeds up processing at the loading site and reduces error rates.
- Paperless documentation improves the efficiency of the entire supply chain and reduces administrative effort.
B2B — organisations
- Companies can strengthen their position as innovative and trustworthy logistics providers while simultaneously minimising compliance risks.
Employees
- Employees require less specialised training for certificate verification as validation is automated.
Challenges
General
- A central solution for the entire chemical industry is unrealistic, so industry-wide standardisation of digital certificates is necessary.
- Successful implementation requires acceptance and active participation of all actors involved in the supply chain.
B2B — organisations
- Companies must invest in new IT infrastructures and adapt their existing systems to the blockchain solution.
Employees
- Employees must be trained in handling digital identities and blockchain-based systems.
Technology foundation
The system uses a blockchain database to store digital signatures of cleaning certificates, not the complete certificates themselves. Each participant receives a digital identity with private and public keys, ensuring the authenticity and immutability of the cleaning records.
Implementation examples
TALKE Group Blockchain Cleaning Certificates
The TALKE Group wants to replace its paper-based cleaning documentation with a forgery-proof digital solution. The company aims to position itself as an innovative logistics service provider while minimising compliance risks.
The TALKE Group is developing a blockchain-based system for forgery-proof documentation of chemical tank cleaning processes.
The company is working with the Blockchain Reallabor on digitalising its cleaning certificates for chemical tankers. The system is intended to store digital signatures for each cleaning step in a blockchain and assign digital identities to all involved parties. The project is in the planning phase with a planned development period of three years and the goal of large-scale industry implementation.
The system solves problems with manipulable paper certificates and error-prone manual verification processes. The blockchain solution eliminates the need for specially trained staff to check certificates at the loading site.
Tags
Certification, Supply chain, Compliance, Digitalisation, Chemical logistics