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Digital Proof of Wood Origin

Sector: Primary sector · Industry: Wood and paper industry · Organisation: Universität Freiburg / Forst-Holz-BlockChain · Maturity level: Pilot

In the research project Forst-Holz-BlockChain at the University of Freiburg, blockchain technology is used to digitally map the entire process chain from timber harvesting to mill delivery and the first processing stage. The aim is to improve traceability and transparency in the forest-wood value chain and to close existing information gaps in wood supply. The project runs from 2023 to 2025 and is funded by EFRE-HIP Baden-Württemberg.

Documentation status

• Project status: Pilot
• Evidence: Evidence high
• Editorial review: Ufuk Avci, 12 July 2026

Description

The research project Forst-Holz-BlockChain at the University of Freiburg is testing the use of blockchain technology to document the origin of wood digitally in a seamless and tamper-proof manner. The entire process chain from timber harvesting through transport to delivery at the processing plant is mapped in a shared digital system. The project thus creates the basis for a reliable, digitally supported proof of origin that strengthens trust among all participants in the wood supply chain and closes existing gaps in information networking.

There are currently significant information deficits between the individual links in the forestry and wood industry supply chain: forest owners, harvesting service providers, hauliers and sawmills often work with unconnected systems and manual documentation processes. The Forst-Holz-BlockChain project at the University of Freiburg addresses this problem by using blockchain technology as a shared, tamper-proof data basis for all chain links. Project partners are the University of Freiburg, Xylene GmbH as software provider, and MRK Management Consultants GmbH; the project is funded by EFRE-HIP Baden-Württemberg from 2023 to 2025. Xylene adapts its existing software solution for the forestry sector and implements it prototypically in an exemplary application of the forestry-wood value chain. The project results include the prototype as well as recommendations for broader system adoption and workshops for various target and interest groups from forestry and wood.

Perspectives

B2B — organisations perspective

For companies along the wood supply chain – from forestry operations through logistics providers to sawmills and timber merchants – the use of blockchain enables a shared, transparent and trustworthy data basis for all transactions and goods flows. This facilitates compliance with legal proof obligations, simplifies certification procedures and creates the foundation for more efficient, data-driven business processes between partners.

Employees perspective

For employees in forestry operations and wood processing companies, the use of the blockchain solution means a change from previous manual documentation activities to digital recording processes. Training and familiarisation with new digital tools are necessary, but in the medium term repetitive paper processes can be reduced and data quality in everyday work improved.

Benefits

General

• Seamless and tamper-proof documentation of timber origin across all chain links
• Closing information gaps and improving information networking in the forestry-wood chain
• Creating a reliable basis for sustainability certifications and legal proof obligations
• Strengthening trust among all participants in the wood value chain

B2B — organisations

• Simplification and automation of certification and compliance processes for timber trading companies
• Transparent, shared data basis reduces queries and coordination effort between supply chain partners
• Potential opening of new markets for demonstrably sustainably produced timber

Employees

• Reduction of manual documentation efforts through digital recording processes
• Improved data availability and quality in everyday work

Challenges

General

• Lack of continuous digital infrastructure and networking in the decentralised forestry and wood industry complicates widespread adoption
• Convincing and involving all relevant actors along the supply chain is demanding and requires trust in shared data management
• No verifiable figures on efficiency gains or ROI yet; the project is still in the pilot phase

B2B — organisations

• Integration of the blockchain solution into existing forestry information systems and ERP systems of processing companies requires technical effort
• Clarification of data ownership and data protection when sharing sensitive business data

Employees

• Training needs and acceptance promotion among employees who are familiar with analogue documentation processes

Technology foundation

The project uses blockchain technology to record data along the forest-wood supply chain in an immutable and transparent manner. The decentralized, tamper-proof nature of blockchain is particularly suitable for multi-stage supply chains with many independent actors, as data can be shared and verified without a central controlling authority. The company Xylene GmbH adapts its existing software for the prototypical implementation in forestry and the wood industry; a specific blockchain platform such as Hyperledger or Ethereum is not mentioned in the available sources.

Implementation examples

Forest-Wood-BlockChain: Prototypical blockchain implementation for the wood supply chain

There are significant information deficits in the forest-wood supply chain because the individual actors – forest owners, harvesting service providers, hauliers and processing companies – are often not digitally networked throughout, and wood batches can only be inadequately tracked along the entire chain.

The University of Freiburg, together with Xylene GmbH and MRK Management Consultants, is developing a prototype in the Forest-Wood-BlockChain project that uses blockchain technology for the digital mapping and traceability of the wood supply chain from harvesting to factory delivery. The project is funded by EFRE-HIP Baden-Württemberg from 2023 to 2025.

The research project Forest-Wood-BlockChain is led by the University of Freiburg (Chair of Forest Engineering) and implemented jointly with the software company Xylene GmbH and MRK Management Consultants GmbH. Xylene adapts its existing software solution for use in the forest-wood value chain and implements it in a prototypical pilot project. The project aims to partially or fully close the existing information deficits in wood supply through IT networking and blockchain-based documentation. The outcome will include a functioning prototype, recommendations for broader introduction of the concept, and workshops for various stakeholders from forestry and the wood industry. The project runs from December 2023 to 2025 and is funded by EFRE-HIP funds from the state of Baden-Württemberg.

The project addresses the lack of continuous digital networking and transparent documentation in the forest-wood chain by creating a shared, tamper-proof data basis for all links in the chain.

Tags

Supply chain, Proof of origin, Forestry, Transparency, Digitalisation, Sustainability, Traceability

Sources

1. Forst-Holz-BlockChain – Universität Freiburg, Professur für Forstliche Verfahrenstechnik
2. Blockchain-Technologie als Treiber für die Digitalisierung der Forstwirtschaft – Xylene GmbH
3. FreiDok – Projektübersicht Universität Freiburg, Institut 2568
4. Wood Supply 4.0 – Positionspapier Digitalisierung Bereitstellungskette