Impact of Industry 4.0 on Environmental Sustainability
08 Jun 2020-Sustainability (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 12, Iss: 11, pp 4674
TL;DR: In this paper, a literature review of articles related to Industry 4.0 and environmental sustainability published between 2000 and 2020 is presented, showing that there is a negative relationship related to the flow of the production process from the inputs to the final product, including raw materials, energy requirements, information, and waste disposal.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 is a concept that originated from the German industry, and whose essence is the use of technology for efficient production. In business today, the emergence of Industry 4.0 for production, and its related technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems, amongst others, have, however, a negative impact on environmental sustainability as a result of air pollution, the poor discharge of waste, and the intensive use of raw materials, information, and energy. The method used in this study is an analysis of a literature review of manuscripts discussing topics related to Industry 4.0 and environmental sustainability published between 2000 and 2020. There is currently a gap existing between the actual and the desired situation, in that production occurs in a weak sustainability model, and, therefore, this research debates the effects on environmental sustainability and the challenges facing Industry 4.0. Four scenarios are discussed: a deployment scenario, an operation scenario, integration and compliance with sustainable development goals, and a long-run scenario. The results indicate that there is a negative relationship related to the flow of the production process from the inputs to the final product, including raw materials, energy requirements, information, and waste disposal, and their impacts on the environment. However, the integration of Industry 4.0 and the sustainable development goals enhance environmental sustainability to create ecological support that guarantees high environmental performance with a more positive impact than before. This paper will help stakeholders and companies to provide solutions to the existing environmental challenges that can be mediated through adopting new technologies. The novelty of this study is its depiction of Industry 4.0 and its technologies integrated with sustainable development goals to create a sustainable Industry 4.0 combining environmental protection and sustainability.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors performed a systematic literature review to identify how the CE-I4.0 nexus, the combination of CE practices and Industry 4.0 technologies, could contribute to achieving the SDG.
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TL;DR: The key findings provide inclusive insights for governments, authorities, practitioners, and policy-makers to alleviate the pandemic’s negative impacts on sustainable development and to realize the sustainability transition opportunities post COVID-19.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the potentials of Industry 4.0 related potentials in the context of the triple bottom line with respect to supply chain management have been summarized in a systematic literature review, based on 55 academic articles.
137 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present and analyze practical solutions of Industry 4.0 as applied in the Re Alloys company and conclude that implementation of the new solution based on digitalization caused increased energy and material efficiency, often forced by external factors stemming from the operation of competitive markets.
Abstract: The primary aim of this paper was to present and analyze practical solutions of Industry 4.0 as applied in the Re Alloys company. The research question was whether the implementation of the digitization process based on Industry 4.0 resulted in changes to the organizational structure of the company and whether this brought about an improvement in the energy and material efficiency of the company. The research method used in the paper was the case study method. In view of the project’s results, we concluded that implementation of the new solution based on digitalization caused increased energy and material efficiency, often forced by external factors stemming from the operation of competitive markets. Technological changes also require the application of IT technologies and communication systems in managing production. Access to this information is also a chance to gain a competitive advantage.
95 citations
TL;DR: The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) 2020 model is a comprehensive and updated business model that encompasses sustainability and shares features with Industry 4.0, emphasizing transformation and improved organizational performance, yet with different theoretical and practical foundations as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) 2020 model is a comprehensive and updated business model that encompasses sustainability and shares features with Industry 4.0, emphasizing transformation and improved organizational performance, yet with different theoretical and practical foundations. This research highlights the EFQM 2020 model’s novelties and its relationships/implications with the Industry 4.0 paradigm, contributing to the Quality 4.0 body of knowledge. Several linkages between the EFQM 2020 model and Industry 4.0 have been identified, namely, at the criteria level and guidance points, which can support successful digital transformation by combining quality and excellence with Industry 4.0. However, given the model’s generic and non-prescriptive nature, there is no specific reference to the nine Industry 4.0 pillars. Additionally, the links between direction and organizational culture and leadership criteria and driving performance and transformation are not evident, which might be a concern for business and technology transformation strategies. Managing knowledge, skills, and capabilities is critical for the successful adoption of Industry 4.0. The EFQM model adds a strategic and technologically unbiased perspective to Industry 4.0, providing an integrated business excellence framework for Quality 4.0. With empirical support of the model application, future research is recommended to develop this subject further.
82 citations
References
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TL;DR: A unified 5-level architecture is proposed as a guideline for implementation of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), within which information from all related perspectives is closely monitored and synchronized between the physical factory floor and the cyber computational space.
Abstract: Recent advances in manufacturing industry has paved way for a systematical deployment of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), within which information from all related perspectives is closely monitored and synchronized between the physical factory floor and the cyber computational space. Moreover, by utilizing advanced information analytics, networked machines will be able to perform more efficiently, collaboratively and resiliently. Such trend is transforming manufacturing industry to the next generation, namely Industry 4.0. At this early development phase, there is an urgent need for a clear definition of CPS. In this paper, a unified 5-level architecture is proposed as a guideline for implementation of CPS.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the technical and economic characteristics of an accelerated energy transition to 2050, using new datasets for renewable energy, and show that energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are the core elements of that transition, and their synergies are likewise important.
2,012 citations
"Impact of Industry 4.0 on Environme..." refers background in this paper
...Consequently, it is of great importance to focus our attention on the fact that sustainability is extremely important, not only for companies but also for the community and economic growth dimensions [99]....
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TL;DR: A comprehensive review on Industry 4.0 is conducted and presents an overview of the content, scope, and findings by examining the existing literatures in all of the databases within the Web of Science.
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"Impact of Industry 4.0 on Environme..." refers background in this paper
...Minimum compliance with regulations and laws by companies [97]....
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TL;DR: The state of the art in the area of Industry 4.0 as it relates to industries is surveyed, with a focus on China's Made-in-China 2025 and formal methods and systems methods crucial for realising Industry 5.0.
Abstract: Rapid advances in industrialisation and informatisation methods have spurred tremendous progress in developing the next generation of manufacturing technology. Today, we are on the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In 2013, amongst one of 10 ‘Future Projects’ identified by the German government as part of its High-Tech Strategy 2020 Action Plan, the Industry 4.0 project is considered to be a major endeavour for Germany to establish itself as a leader of integrated industry. In 2014, China’s State Council unveiled their ten-year national plan, Made-in-China 2025, which was designed to transform China from the world’s workshop into a world manufacturing power. Made-in-China 2025 is an initiative to comprehensively upgrade China’s industry including the manufacturing sector. In Industry 4.0 and Made-in-China 2025, many applications require a combination of recently emerging new technologies, which is giving rise to the emergence of Industry 4.0. Such technologies originate from different disciplines ...
1,780 citations
"Impact of Industry 4.0 on Environme..." refers background in this paper
...0’s modern technology will create greater sustainability and increase the quality of products [7]....
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TL;DR: A systematic literature review was carried out to analyse the academic articles within the Industry 4.0 topic that were published online until the end of June 2016 and indicates existing deficiencies and potential research directions through proposing a research agenda.
Abstract: Over the last few years, the fourth industrial revolution has attracted more and more attentions all around the world. In the current literature, there is still a lack of efforts to systematically review the state of the art of this new industrial revolution wave. The aim of this study is to address this gap by investigating the academic progresses in Industry 4.0. A systematic literature review was carried out to analyse the academic articles within the Industry 4.0 topic that were published online until the end of June 2016. In this paper, the obtained results from both the general data analysis of included papers (e.g. relevant journals, their subject areas and categories, conferences, keywords) and the specific data analysis corresponding to four research sub-questions are illustrated and discussed. These results not only summarise the current research activities (e.g. main research directions, applied standards, employed software and hardware), but also indicate existing deficiencies and potential re...
1,287 citations
"Impact of Industry 4.0 on Environme..." refers background in this paper
...The CPS discussed in this text can be defined as systems where hardware and software parts are interconnected to yield results on a large scale [15,16]....
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