Trends and Opportunities in Sustainable Manufacturing: A Systematic Review of Key Dimensions from 2019 to 2024
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Purpose: This systematic literature review analyzes trends, key findings, and research opportunities in manufacturing sustainability from 2019 to 2024, with a focus on the integration of emerging technologies and socio-economic dimensions. Methodology: a systematic review of 181 publications was conducted, emphasizing technological advancements, research gaps, and the influence of global events on sustainable manufacturing. Findings: the review highlights: (1) a shift towards advanced technologies like AI-driven circular economy solutions, digital twins, and blockchain, which have demonstrated potential to reduce energy consumption by 30% and decrease material waste by 20%, significantly enhancing sustainability outcomes; (2) persistent gaps in addressing social, policy, and regulatory dimensions; (3) the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in accelerating digital transformation and reshaping sustainability priorities. Key findings also include PT Indocement achieving a cumulative 35% reduction in natural gas consumption through sustained optimization initiatives and a 12% increase in digital manufacturing adoption among SMEs in developing regions. Practical implications: strategic recommendations are provided for industry, policymakers, and academics to address regional disparities, ensuring a 50% increase in adoption rates of inclusive technologies within developing regions over the next five years, and align sustainability efforts with socio-economic contexts. Originality: this review presents a comprehensive analysis of current trends, actionable insights, and critical areas for future research, highlighting that organizations adopting AI and blockchain technologies report up to a 25% improvement in operational sustainability.