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Twin Transition through the Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Desk-Research Analysis and Practical Use Cases in Europe

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  • Juan-José Ortega-Gras

    (Technological Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia (CETEM), 30510 Yecla, Spain
    Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, 30202 Cartagena, Spain)

  • María-Victoria Bueno-Delgado

    (Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, 30202 Cartagena, Spain)

  • Gregorio Cañavate-Cruzado

    (Technological Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia (CETEM), 30510 Yecla, Spain
    Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Antiguo Cuartel de Antigones, 30202 Cartagena, Spain)

  • Josefina Garrido-Lova

    (Technological Centre of Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia (CETEM), 30510 Yecla, Spain)

Abstract

Key Enabling Technologies (KET) support the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and are also considered the main drivers of the Circular Economy (CE) transition. In this respect, the guidelines and real use cases to inspire enterprises and industry to lead the twin digital and green transition are still poor. This work is aimed at contributing to this matter, with twofold goals: on the one hand, to show a depth desk-research analysis of the key existing policies at European level that foster this twin digital and green transition; on the other hand, to review practical use cases and international projects where CE practices are boosted through the implementation of KET. From the analysis, a set of recommendations are suggested as a guide for policymakers, researchers, and industry managers on how to foster the CE through the implementation of I4.0 technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan-José Ortega-Gras & María-Victoria Bueno-Delgado & Gregorio Cañavate-Cruzado & Josefina Garrido-Lova, 2021. "Twin Transition through the Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Desk-Research Analysis and Practical Use Cases in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13601-:d:698418
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arianna Martinelli & Andrea Mina & Massimo Moggi, 2021. "The enabling technologies of industry 4.0: examining the seeds of the fourth industrial revolution [Mapping innovation dynamics in the Internet of Things domain: evidence from patent analysis]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 30(1), pages 161-188.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tabares, Sabrina & Parida, Vinit & Chirumalla, Koteshwar, 2025. "Twin transition in industrial organizations: Conceptualization, implementation framework, and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    2. Nelli, Linnea & Virgillito, Maria Enrica & Vivarelli, Marco, 2025. "A Twin Transition or a Policy Flagship? Emergent Constellations and Dominant Blocks in Green and Digital Technologies," IZA Discussion Papers 17779, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Juan-José Ortega-Gras & María-Victoria Bueno-Delgado & José-Francisco Puche-Forte & Josefina Garrido-Lova & Rafael Martínez-Fernández, 2025. "Exploring Industry 4.0 Technologies Implementation to Enhance Circularity in Spanish Manufacturing Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-32, August.
    4. Katharina Breiter & Carlotta Crome & Anna Maria Oberländer & Feline Schnaak, 2024. "Dynamic Capabilities for the Twin Transformation Climb: A Capability Maturity Model," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 2205-2226, December.
    5. Ahmad, Najid & Youjin, Liu & Žiković, Saša & Belyaeva, Zhanna, 2023. "The effects of technological innovation on sustainable development and environmental degradation: Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    6. Torrent-Sellens, Joan & Enache-Zegheru, Mihaela & Ficapal-Cusí, Pilar, 2025. "Twin transitions or a meeting of strangers? Unravelling the effects of AI and innovations on economic, social and environmental MSMEs sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Aleksandra Kekkonen & Renee Pesor & Marge Täks, 2023. "Stepping towards the Green Transition: Challenges and Opportunities of Estonian Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-27, February.

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