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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 26067

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek Małgorzata

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: sustainable manufacturing; sustainable maintenance; Sustainability 4.0; sustainability assessment; multi-criteria decision-making methods
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable manufacturing, a topic of paramount importance across industries, strives to mitigate the adverse environmental, economic, and social effects of manufacturing processes and products. The concept of sustainable manufacturing encompasses various approaches and challenges, with each industry having its unique production constraints and sustainability goals. However, the advent of modern technologies, particularly digital technologies, holds immense potential to surmount these limitations, fostering a more optimistic outlook for sustainable manufacturing.

Digital technologies promote and support sustainable manufacturing in various ways. Although the implementation of digital technologies in manufacturing enterprises is generally aimed at achieving economic goals and, consequently, sustainable economic development, the literature indicates that digital technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, cloud computing, BDA, and Blockchain) have a positive impact on production enterprises’ environmental and social sustainability. Therefore, they can support companies in improving processes and products as well as in identifying new paths to achieving sustainable goals in their specific contexts.

Any sustainable development is characterized by a multifaceted approach that covers environmental, technological, social, and economic dimensions. This Special Issue aims to present the latest advances and developments in new technologies related to the economic, environmental, and social challenges of sustainable manufacturing. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

Drivers and barriers of modern technology implementation for sustainability in manufacturing processes;
Intelligent decision support for sustainable manufacturing practices;
Simulation and modeling in sustainable manufacturing;
Blockchain technology for sustainable manufacturing;
BDA for sustainable manufacturing;
Digital twin-driven intelligent manufacturing for sustainability;
Internet of Things solutions in manufacturing for sustainability;
Manufacturing data management for sustainability and circular economy;
Operator 4.0/5.0 concept for sustainable manufacturing;
Multicriteria decision-making for sustainable manufacturing and logistics in the supply chain context.

Dr. Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek Małgorzata
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

digital technologies
sustainable manufacturing
sustainability 4.0
sustainable workplace
sustainable life cycle assessment
sustainable logistics processes

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 1086 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of AI-Based HCI Modalities for Selecting Interaction Systems in Sustainable Manufacturing

by Patricia Muchova, Janka Saderova and Marek Ondov

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 4638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18104638 - 7 May 2026

Viewed by 206

Abstract

Human–computer interaction (HCI) has evolved from traditional command-based interfaces to adaptive systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI). In industrial environments, particularly manufacturing and logistics, selecting the appropriate interaction modality is crucial for efficiency, safety, and user acceptance. This study presents a conceptual decision support framework that analyzes three modalities—visual, voice, and multimodal—based on a systematic literature review covering the period from 2003 to early 2026. The analysis evaluates differences in usability, cognitive workload, implementation complexity, and operational benefits of HCI and AI-based HCI. To address the selection challenge, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model was developed. The proposed MCDA model is based on a structured literature analysis and expert-informed evaluation. The expert-based MCDA ranking is context-dependent and grounded in the reviewed literature. The results indicate that multimodal HCI shows the highest potential in manufacturing scenarios, offering advantages in safety, robustness, flexibility, and potential contributions to sustainability. However, it also indicates more demanding implementation, training requirements, and higher costs. The proposed decision support framework is intended to serve as a methodological tool for the structured evaluation of HCI modality suitability in sustainable manufacturing environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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26 pages, 9210 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Application of VR Technology in Production Process Planning as a Support for Sustainable Development

by Szymon Pawlak and Agnieszka Fornalczyk

Sustainability 2026, 18(6), 2834; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18062834 - 13 Mar 2026

Viewed by 335

Abstract

Modern manufacturing enterprises strive to increase process efficiency while simultaneously reducing resource consumption and improving the working conditions of operators. In this context, the importance of digital tools supporting the design and analysis of production processes is growing, such as computer simulations and virtual reality (VR) technologies, which enable the evaluation of designed solutions even before their implementation. The article presents the possibilities of using VR technology in the analysis and optimization of a production process based on a case study. The applied methodology included defining evaluation indicators, developing a simulation model in the FlexSim environment, verifying the functioning of the process using computer simulation and immersive VR, and then introducing improvements followed by a re-analysis of the process. The evaluation included indicators of process efficiency, operator utilization, transport distances, electricity consumption, and qualitative observations concerning ergonomics and work organization. The applied approach made it possible to increase process efficiency, improve operator utilization, and reduce transport distances while simultaneously improving work organization. The results confirm the validity of using simulation supported by immersive techniques as a tool for supporting the design and optimization of production processes and for identifying problems that are difficult to detect using classical simulation methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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18 pages, 693 KB

Open AccessArticle

Meeting Sustainable Development Challenges at the Enterprise Level

by Beata Starzyńska and Mariusz Bryke

Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10275; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210275 - 17 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1133

Abstract

Enterprises play a key role in achieving sustainable development goals because they affect them to a greater or lesser extent, both in a positive and negative way. The aim of the study presented in the article is to answer the question concerning the level of application of the best practices in enterprises related to the implementation of sustainable development strategy. As recognized means of operational activities in organizations, they are a guarantee of the effective achievement of their goals. The method employed in the research procedure was the Human Lean Green method. Thus, best practices applied in the enterprises analyzed became the basis for measuring their organizational maturity in three areas of sustainable development, i.e., social (Human), economic (Lean) and environmental (Green). The study was conducted in 20 enterprises (manufacturing or service enterprises). The results of the research show, among others, that the popularity of using practices from the Human area is greater than Lean Green practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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18 pages, 1872 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging Circular Design Strategies and Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Preliminary Conceptual Framework

by Annabella Narganes-Pineda, Pedro M. Hernández-Castellano and Paula González-Suárez

Sustainability 2025, 17(18), 8260; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188260 - 14 Sep 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1103

Abstract

Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFRPCs) are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional composite materials, due to their renewable origin, potential biodegradability, and possibly lower environmental impact. However, while technical advances in NFRPCs have progressed, the application of Circular Design (CD) strategies to their development remains underexplored. This paper presents a preliminary conceptual framework developed at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, aligning CD principles with the specific challenges and opportunities of NFRPCs. Building upon an extensive literature review, the study identifies and critically evaluates key design principles, tools, and strategies, assessing their relevance for guiding decision-making in this material context. The proposed framework offers guidance for integrating CD strategies from the earliest stages of product development, encompassing material selection, lifecycle mapping, and end-of-life planning. To assess its usability and practical value, the framework was tested through two academic case studies. The feedback gathered highlights both the framework’s potential as a learning and design support tool and the need for improved accessibility and clarity in Circular Design resources. Overall, this work contributes to bridging the gap between sustainable materials research and practical design application, offering a material-specific, adaptable, and bilingual resource for students, early-career engineers, and designers seeking to adopt circular practices. By combining systemic thinking with material-specific considerations, the framework fosters the development of more inclusive, regenerative, and ethically responsible design solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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13 pages, 233 KB

Open AccessArticle

Consumers’ Willingness to Adopt Pro-Environmental Attitudes

by Adam Hamrol, Marta Grabowska and Beata Starzyńska

Sustainability 2025, 17(13), 5948; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135948 - 27 Jun 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1583

Abstract

Consumers have a key influence on reducing the energy and material flow (EMF) in economic processes and thus on minimizing the negative impact on the environment and climate (NIEC). A decisive factor for sustainable development will be the consumers’ willingness to adopt pro-environmental behaviors or taking action oriented towards reducing the environmental and climate impact of consumption. The authors try to answer the question of how to influence consumers to reduce their consumption. This study explores whether consumer behavior is best influenced through awareness campaigns, regulatory policies, economical incentives, or implicit design strategies. The aim of the research presented in this article is to provide the answer to the questions posed. This research consisted of preparing a questionnaire and conducting it on a group of 122 respondents aged 20–40 in Poznan (Poland). The results of the research indicate the validity of supporting the limitation of consumption with external stimuli. In the opinion of the respondents, the availability of products with high durability and reliability received the most indications as a factor limiting consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

27 pages, 3040 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimisation of the Production Process of Ironing Refractory Products Using the OEE Indicator as Part of Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Production

by Mariusz Niekurzak and Wojciech Lewicki

Sustainability 2025, 17(11), 4779; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114779 - 22 May 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of optimising a selected production process in a company from the refractory products industry. As part of the research, individual activities were divided, identifying key wastes occurring in the production process. In addition, the 5S (the 5S methodology—Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain) quality system was modified, its efficiency was increased, and a better work organisation was established based on it. Data from the actual production process were analysed based on total work efficiency using the OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) coefficient. The use of machine working time was indicated, and key parameters were determined, i.e., availability, efficiency, and quality of the implemented production processes. The results obtained in the course of the research were compared to the Word Class OEE standards. The goal of the work is to indicate possibilities and recommendations for increasing production efficiency without increasing costs, thanks to actions reducing the number of production defects and optimal distribution of employees on the production line. The presented analyses can help assess the management processes of other manufacturing companies operating in this highly specialised manufacturing sector. At the same time, the research conclusions enable other entities to evaluate the implementation of the proposed solutions in practice without incurring unnecessary financial outlays on improving production processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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18 pages, 378 KB

Open AccessArticle

Possibilities of Using Contemporary Quality Management Methods and Tools for the Sustainable Development of the Organization

by Agnieszka Misztal and Kinga Ratajszczak

Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020617 - 15 Jan 2025

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5699

Abstract

Organizations are expected to follow trends and adapt their management to market conditions. In an era of rapid change and an environment that is difficult to predict, this is an extremely complicated task. In order to effectively respond to the needs coming from the market, companies implement various methods and adapt available concepts, translating them into the language of practice. Contemporary quality management methods and tools seem to combine the need to skilfully respond to customer expectations and ensure the appropriate level of sustainability issues in the organization’s activities. The main purpose of this article is to analyze the possibilities of using contemporary quality management methods and tools for the sustainable development of the organization. The main method in this article was a literature review that covered the area of the sustainable development of enterprises and the search for good practices in the field of quality management instruments in this area. The other methods are observation and direct interview. Twenty quality methods and tools were selected and divided according to their functions. The research identified benefits and good practices in their use, which can support action for sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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18 pages, 483 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Marketization of Home Production: Does Production Time Transfer Between Home and Market?

by Jacek Jankiewicz, Przemyslaw Garsztka and Małgorzata Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek

Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 531; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020531 - 11 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1769

Abstract

We use the microeconomic theory that takes into account household production and human activity in the non-market sphere to analyze the phenomena of a macroeconomic nature. We check the activation of women in the labor market, a phenomenon observed in Western European countries and the United States, among others. The decision to become economically active reduces the opportunity to devote time to previously undertaken activities, including a reduction in the time spent on housework. This often involves a significant change in the structure of consumption, which, at the macroeconomic level, is associated with the creation of new jobs and a change in the structure of the economy. Structural change is understood as the transfer of economic activity between the three main sectors of the system, namely agriculture, industry and services. This study uses microeconomic data from two waves of the TUS in Poland. The so-called marketization hypothesis was tested separately for three groups of women aged 18–24, 25–44 and 45–59. When estimating the parameters of the models, characteristics such as having a partner, having children under six and educational attainment were taken into account. The calculations show that women aged 25–44 are relatively active in the labor market, but it is those aged 18–24 who fulfill all of the conditions that support the marketization hypothesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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18 pages, 1556 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Key Factors for Improving Returns Management in E-Commerce in Indonesia from Customers’ Perspectives—An Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach

by Dimas Haki Prayogo, Roman Domanski and Paulina Golinska-Dawson

Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7303; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177303 - 25 Aug 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 10365

Abstract

The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an increase in the number of product returns in supply chains, which is both environmentally and economically challenging. E-commerce companies need to effectively manage product returns, as this has a direct impact on their reputation and consumer experience. Reducing returns is key to maintaining sustainable practices for online product sales. A significant increase in e-commerce transactions is also evident in Indonesia, which is the fourth largest country in the world. Despite the very large size of the market, research on e-commerce in the business-to-customer (B2C) market in Indonesia is underrepresented in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors from the customer perspective that influence product returns in reverse logistics in Indonesian e-commerce. The novelty of this study stems from the focus on the customer perspective on product returns in the B2C market when shopping online and the spatial scope. Due to the uncertainty inherent in multi-criteria decision making, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to rank factors and potential solutions derived from a critical literature review. As a result, the study provides a ranking of factors and alternatives for managing e-commerce returns in Indonesia. The results show that among Indonesian e-commerce customers, product quality (QP) was rated the highest, while (Pu) was rated the lowest. In terms of the alternatives that are the most suitable for improving the customer experience of e-commerce product returns in Indonesia, a clear returns policy (CRP) scored the highest, while the merchandise catalog (Cat) was rated as the lowest priority. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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Review

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23 pages, 859 KB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Manufacturing: Enabling Technologies and Emerging Research Trends—A Scoping Review

by Alejandro Martínez, Eva M. Rubio, Amabel García-Domínguez and Juan Claver

Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4602; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094602 - 6 May 2026

Viewed by 294

Abstract

The current industrial production model faces major environmental, economic, and social challenges due to resource depletion, increasing energy demand, and climate change. Manufacturing significantly contributes to emissions, material consumption, and waste, making sustainable manufacturing (SM) essential for transitioning toward more resource-efficient, circular, and socially responsible systems. This study provides a structured overview of SM, focusing on enabling technologies and emerging research trends. Sustainability is analyzed through approaches such as sustainable development, cleaner production, eco-efficiency, and the circular economy. The role of key technologies—including additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems—is examined in improving efficiency, reducing waste, and supporting circular production. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines using the Web of Science database, focusing on recent publications. The results highlight a growing integration of digital technologies, energy-efficient systems, and circular strategies, alongside the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making. A strong convergence between artificial intelligence, energy transition, circular economy approaches, and digital transformation is also identified. Overall, achieving sustainable manufacturing requires an integrated approach addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions. This review maps the field and identifies key directions for future research and practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Modern Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing)

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