IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i17p7648-d1731824.html

Exploring Industry 4.0 Technologies Implementation to Enhance Circularity in Spanish Manufacturing Enterprises

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

  • José-Francisco Puche-Forte

    (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)

  • Rafael Martínez-Fernández

    (Development Agency of the Region of Murcia (INFO), Murcia Government, Av. de la Fama, 3, 30003 Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is reshaping manufacturing by integrating advanced digital technologies and is increasingly seen as an enabler of the circular economy (CE). However, most research treats digitalisation and circularity separately, with limited empirical insight regarding their combined implementation. This study investigates I4.0 adoption to support sustainability and CE across industries, focusing on how enterprise size influences adoption patterns. Based on survey data from 69 enterprises, the research examines which technologies are applied, at what stages of the product life cycle, and what barriers and drivers influence uptake. Findings reveal a modest but growing adoption led by the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and integrated systems. While larger firms implement more advanced tools (e.g., robotics and simulation), smaller enterprises favour accessible solutions (e.g., IoT and cloud computing). A positive link is observed between digital adoption and CE practices, though barriers remain significant. Five main categories of perceived obstacles are identified: political/institutional, financial, social/market-related, technological/infrastructural, and legal/regulatory. Attitudinal resistance, particularly in micro and small enterprises, emerges as an additional challenge. Based on these insights, and to support the twin transition, the paper proposes targeted policies, including expanded funding, streamlined procedures, enhanced training, and tools for circular performance monitoring.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7648-:d:1731824
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7648/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7648/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Schallmo & Daniel Jehle, 2025. "Twin Transition: Theoretical Background, Empirical Insights, And Integrated Approach," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 29(05n06), pages 1-44, June.
    2. 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.
    3. 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).
    4. Wang, Xiaoqing & Qin, Chuan & Liu, Yufeng & Tanasescu, Cristina & Bao, Jiangnan, 2023. "Emerging enablers of green low-carbon development: Do digital economy and open innovation matter?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    5. Maria Barreiro‐Gen & Rodrigo Lozano, 2020. "How circular is the circular economy? Analysing the implementation of circular economy in organisations," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3484-3494, December.
    6. Congqi Wang & Rui Zhang & Haslindar Ibrahim & Pengzhen Liu, 2023. "Can the Digital Economy Enable Carbon Emission Reduction: Analysis of Mechanisms and China’s Experience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    7. 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.
    8. Brian Chi-ang Lin, 2020. "Sustainable Growth: A Circular Economy Perspective," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 465-471, April.
    9. Mohammed M. Mabkhot & Pedro Ferreira & Antonio Maffei & Primož Podržaj & Maksymilian Mądziel & Dario Antonelli & Michele Lanzetta & Jose Barata & Eleonora Boffa & Miha Finžgar & Łukasz Paśko & Paolo M, 2021. "Mapping Industry 4.0 Enabling Technologies into United Nations Sustainability Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-33, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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).
    2. Ferrigno, Giulio & Barabuffi, Saverio & Marcazzan, Enrico & Piccaluga, Andrea, 2025. "What “V” of the big data support firms’ radical and incremental innovation?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 146(C).
    3. Candeias, Marta & Boavida, Nuno & Moniz, António, 2026. "Dispute Prevention and Resolution in the Face of Twin Transition: the role of workers’ participation in the metal sector," MPRA Paper 128798, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Apr 2026.
    4. Julian Lauten-Weiss & Stephan Ramesohl, 2021. "The Circular Business Framework for Building, Developing and Steering Businesses in the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Patricia van Loon & Luk N. Van Wassenhove & Ales Mihelic, 2022. "Designing a circular business strategy: 7 years of evolution at a large washing machine manufacturer," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1030-1041, March.
    6. Qiangyi Li & Jiexiao Ge & Mingyu Huang & Xiaoyu Wu & Houbao Fan, 2024. "Uncovering the Triple Synergy of New-Type Urbanization, Greening and Digitalization in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-24, July.
    7. Benedetta Montanaro & Annalisa Croce & Elisa Ughetto, 2024. "Venture capital investments in artificial intelligence," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 1-28, January.
    8. Cirillo, Valeria & Fanti, Lucrezia & Mina, Andrea & Ricci, Andrea, 2023. "The adoption of digital technologies: Investment, skills, work organisation," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 89-105.
    9. D. D’Amato, 2021. "Sustainability Narratives as Transformative Solution Pathways: Zooming in on the Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 231-242, June.
    10. Liu, Zhen & Li, Hua & Pan, Yuchen, 2025. "How do countries’ network positions in global digital service trade affect carbon emissions: a social network perspective," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 511-528.
    11. Manuel E. Morales & Susu Nousala & Morteza Ghobakhloo, 2024. "The Complexity of Sustainable Innovation, Transitional Impacts of Industry 4.0 to 5.0 for Our Societies [La complexité de l'innovation durable et les impacts transitionnels de l'industrie 4.0 à 5.0 pour nos sociétés]," Post-Print hal-04542447, HAL.
    12. Wang, Bo & Wang, Jianda, 2025. "China’s green digital era: How does digital economy enable green economic growth?," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 4(1).
    13. Pina Puntillo & Carmela Gulluscio & Donald Huisingh & Stefania Veltri, 2021. "Reevaluating waste as a resource under a circular economy approach from a system perspective: Findings from a case study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 968-984, February.
    14. Arezoo Ghazanfari, 2023. "An Analysis of Circular Economy Literature at the Macro Level, with a Particular Focus on Energy Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-24, February.
    15. 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.
    16. Davide Antonioli & Alberto Marzucchi & Francesco Rentocchini & Simone Vannuccini, 2022. "Robot Adoption and Innovation Activities (last revised: December 2023)," Munich Papers in Political Economy 21, Munich School of Politics and Public Policy and the School of Management at the Technical University of Munich.
    17. Roleders Viktoriia & Oriekhova Tetyana & Sysoieva Inna, 2022. "Trends in a Global Circular Economy," Management Theory and Studies for Rural Business and Infrastructure Development, Sciendo, vol. 44(2), pages 176-184, June.
    18. Gavin Melles, 2021. "Figuring the Transition from Circular Economy to Circular Society in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.
    19. Perri, Alessandra & Silvestri, Daniela & Zirpoli, Francesco, 2025. "Technological change, incumbent dominance, and knowledge base evolution in multi-technology industries: A patent analysis of the global automotive sector," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(9).
    20. Mario Benassi & Elena Grinza & Francesco Rentocchini & Laura Rondi, 2022. "Patenting in 4IR technologies and firm performance [Robots and jobs: evidence from US labor markets]," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 31(1), pages 112-136.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7648-:d:1731824. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.