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Industry 4.0 and Sustainability Implications: A Scenario-Based Analysis of the Impacts and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia H. Bonilla

    (Post Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, UNIP, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil)

  • Helton R. O. Silva

    (Post Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, UNIP, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil)

  • Marcia Terra da Silva

    (Post Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, UNIP, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil)

  • Rodrigo Franco Gonçalves

    (Post Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, UNIP, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil
    Graduate Program in Production Engineering, University of São Paulo, USP, São Paulo 13010-111, Brazil)

  • José B. Sacomano

    (Post Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, UNIP, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil)

Abstract

The new evolution of the production and industrial process called Industry 4.0, and its related technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data analytics, and cyber–physical systems, among others, still have an unknown potential impact on sustainability and the environment. In this paper, we conduct a literature-based analysis to discuss the sustainability impact and challenges of Industry 4.0 from four different scenarios: deployment, operation and technologies, integration and compliance with the sustainable development goals, and long-run scenarios. From these scenarios, our analysis resulted in positive or negative impacts related to the basic production inputs and outputs flows: raw material, energy and information consumption and product and waste disposal. As the main results, we identified both positive and negative expected impacts, with some predominance of positives that can be considered positive secondary effects derived from Industry 4.0 activities. However, only through integrating Industry 4.0 with the sustainable development goals in an eco-innovation platform, can it really ensure environmental performance. It is expected that this work can contribute to helping stakeholders, practitioners and governments to advance solutions to deal with the outcomes emerging through the massive adoption of those technologies, as well as supporting the expected positive impacts through policies and financial initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia H. Bonilla & Helton R. O. Silva & Marcia Terra da Silva & Rodrigo Franco Gonçalves & José B. Sacomano, 2018. "Industry 4.0 and Sustainability Implications: A Scenario-Based Analysis of the Impacts and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3740-:d:176288
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    2. Grybauskas, Andrius & Stefanini, Alessandro & Ghobakhloo, Morteza, 2022. "Social sustainability in the age of digitalization: A systematic literature Review on the social implications of industry 4.0," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    3. Piccarozzi, Michela & Silvestri, Cecilia & Aquilani, Barbara & Silvestri, Luca, 2022. "Is this a new story of the ‘Two Giants’? A systematic literature review of the relationship between industry 4.0, sustainability and its pillars," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
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    6. Mastrocinque, Ernesto & Ramírez, F. Javier & Honrubia-Escribano, Andrés & Pham, Duc T., 2022. "Industry 4.0 enabling sustainable supply chain development in the renewable energy sector: A multi-criteria intelligent approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).

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