Merck Tests Blockchain-Based Cocoa Tracking System

Pharmaceutical company Merck (MRK) is collaborating with The Hashgraph Group and PwC Germany to pilot a blockchain-based system for tracking cocoa in supply chains. This project applies Merck's M-Trust physical authentication technology to ensure the authenticity of cocoa products. The goal is to increase transparency, sustainability reporting, and regulatory compliance.

The pilot is particularly relevant due to growing concerns about deforestation due diligence and digital product passports. Merck's move into the food and agriculture sector aligns with its broader strategy of turning R&D and acquired capabilities into multiple growth drivers across different regulated industries.

For investors, a key marker for success will be whether the pilot converts into paid rollouts or expanded trials with additional brands and categories over the next 12 to 18 months. Concrete adoption metrics such as the number of product SKUs or suppliers brought onto TrackTrace with M-Trust integration will demonstrate the commercial scalability of this concept.