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Article

Enabling Technologies for Circular Economy Transition: Cases in the Manufacturing Industry

by
Beatriz Makssoudian Ferraz
1,2,
Alexander Moltschanov
2,
Leonie Meldt
2 and
Marly Monteiro de Carvalho
1,2,*
1
Production Engineering Department, Polytechnic School, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo 05508-010, Brazil
2
Management of Industrial Production (MiP), Institute for Production Management, Technology, and Machine Tools (PTW), Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Systems 2025, 13(10), 865; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100865
Submission received: 12 June 2025 / Revised: 1 July 2025 / Accepted: 14 September 2025 / Published: 1 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Project Management of Complex Systems (Manufacturing and Services))

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in facilitating the transition towards a circular economy (CE) in the manufacturing sector, exploring four key circular economy strategies—reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. This study combines a comprehensive literature review with case studies of ten manufacturing organisations from various sectors, including electronics, information and communication technologies, and the household and furniture industries. The research focuses on three main areas: the adoption of circular strategies, the challenges associated with implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, and the role of these technologies in enabling the transition to a circular economy. Data were collected through ten interviews with managers responsible for sustainability, corporate social responsibility, or circular economy projects and initiatives, as well as through documentary analysis of archival materials. The study found that organisations typically adopt multiple circular strategies, with repair being the most prevalent strategy across all sectors and adopted in every case analysed. However, the adoption of I4.0 technologies faces challenges such as scalability issues, digital expertise shortages, and outdated infrastructure. Advanced adopters of I4.0 technologies benefit from robust delivery systems supported by collaborative networks, which enhance knowledge transfer and development among stakeholders.
Keywords: circular economy; Industry 4.0; manufacturing circular economy; Industry 4.0; manufacturing

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MDPI and ACS Style

Makssoudian Ferraz, B.; Moltschanov, A.; Meldt, L.; Monteiro de Carvalho, M. Enabling Technologies for Circular Economy Transition: Cases in the Manufacturing Industry. Systems 2025, 13, 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100865

AMA Style

Makssoudian Ferraz B, Moltschanov A, Meldt L, Monteiro de Carvalho M. Enabling Technologies for Circular Economy Transition: Cases in the Manufacturing Industry. Systems. 2025; 13(10):865. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100865

Chicago/Turabian Style

Makssoudian Ferraz, Beatriz, Alexander Moltschanov, Leonie Meldt, and Marly Monteiro de Carvalho. 2025. "Enabling Technologies for Circular Economy Transition: Cases in the Manufacturing Industry" Systems 13, no. 10: 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100865

APA Style

Makssoudian Ferraz, B., Moltschanov, A., Meldt, L., & Monteiro de Carvalho, M. (2025). Enabling Technologies for Circular Economy Transition: Cases in the Manufacturing Industry. Systems, 13(10), 865. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100865

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