A Blockchain-Enabled Digital Twin for Leather Traceability: From Farm to Vehicle

皮革是高档和豪华汽车行业的重要商品。它是肉类工业的副产品。生皮通常在中间人之间收集和交易，因此失去了可追溯性。在到达最终产品制造商之前，皮革加工的不同步骤可能发生在世界各地的各个国家。由于这种全球分散且复杂的供应链，皮革往往会带来环境、社会和经济风险。英国跨国高端汽车公司捷豹路虎在其汽车的各种商品（座椅、车顶衬里、车门等）中使用不同类型的皮革。由于优质的质量标准，捷豹路虎与制革厂直接接触。然而，对于从农场到隐藏供应商和屠宰场到制革厂的供应链上游部分以及下游的缝纫和包装设施来说，仍然需要更多的可见性。捷豹路虎（Jaguar Land Rover）与诺丁汉大学（University of Nottingham）就在其供应链中采用区块链技术实现可追溯性的可能性进行了一项理论研究。鉴于皮革对捷豹路虎的重要性以及其供应链中出现的挑战，建议对皮革进行实际可行性研究。捷豹路虎已确定堰桥（Bridge of Weir）作为合作伙伴，实施皮革可追溯性试点项目。英国可追溯性技术提供商Circulor将开发可追溯性框架，以证明和保证皮革的来源。可追溯性的方法基于皮革在供应链中的实际流动。通过Circulor的平台，将创建原材料的“数字双胞胎”，并在指定的扫描点捕获其在供应链中的进展。质量平衡等验证方法被整合，以验证和保证更透明的过程。该可行性研究将重点关注如何从农场的动物和整个生皮鞣制过程中对生皮和毛皮进行物理识别和数字化。这将最终为实现整个皮革供应链的可追溯性提供必要的见解。来源证明将使最终消费者受益，确保负责任和可持续的皮革采购。捷豹路虎将能够改善供应链绩效，预防和减轻供应链风险和中断。该计划在苏格兰一家皮革生产商中作为试点实施，随后可能会扩展到其他皮革生产商和行业。

Leather is a critical commodity for the premium and luxury automotive industry. It is a by-product of the meat industry. Hides and skins are usually collected and traded between intermediaries through which traceability is lost. The different steps of leather processing can happen in various countries around the world before reaching the end-product manufacturer. Due to this globally dispersed and complex supply chain, leather can often present environmental, social, and economic risks.Jaguar Land Rover, the British multinational premium automotive company, uses different types of leather in various commodities of their cars (seating, headliners, doors, etc.). Because of the premium quality criterium, JLR is in direct contact with tanneries. However, the need for more visibility remains, for the upstream part of the chain from farms to hide suppliers and abattoirs to tanneries, as well as the downstream sewing and wrapping facilities. Jaguar Land Rover conducted a theoretical study with the University of Nottingham on the potential for the adoption of blockchain technology for traceability in its supply chains. Leather was recommended for a practical feasibility study given its importance to Jaguar Land Rover and the challenges that arise in its supply chain.Jaguar Land Rover has identified Bridge of Weir, a sustainable leather manufacturer and their supplier of semi-aniline leather, as a partner to implement a pilot project for leather traceability. Circulor, a UK traceability technology provider, will develop the traceability framework to prove and guarantee the provenance of the leather.The approach to traceability is based on the actual flow of hides through a supply chain. Via Circulor's platform, a 'digital twin' for the raw material will be created, and its progress through the supply chain will be captured at designated scan points. Verification methods like mass balance are integrated to validate and to guarantee a more transparent process.This feasibility study will focus on how the hides and skins can be physically identified and digitalised, from the animal on the farm and throughout the hide tanning processing. This will ultimately provide the insights necessary to implement traceability to the whole leather supply chain. The proof of provenance will benefit the end consumer, ensuring responsible and sustainable leather sourcing. Jaguar Land Rover will be able to improve supply chain performance, prevent and mitigate supply chain risks and disruptions.Implemented as a pilot with one Scottish leather producer, it could be extended later to other leather producers and industries.