Designing a Conceptual Framework for Industry 4.0 Technologies to Enable Circular Economy Ecosystem

The concept of the circular economy (CE) is gaining prominence as a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear economy. Bio-based innovations, which harness biological resources for production, offer promising solutions to resource depletion and environmental degradation. The increasing global emphasis on sustainable development has catalyzed the shift from traditional linear economic models towards a more sustainable and efficient circular economy. Within this transformation, bio-based innovations play a critical role, particularly in reducing environmental impact, enhancing resource efficiency, and stimulating economic growth. This research examines the biochemical processes underlying bio-based innovations and their potential economic benefits within a circular economy framework. It explores the significance of bio-based innovations from both biochemical and economic perspectives, examining their role in fostering a circular economy. The integration of bio-based materials and processes, which utilize renewable biological resources, not only reduces dependency on fossil fuels but also promotes the regeneration of biological systems. Economically, the bio-based sector contributes to job creation, GDP growth, and overall economic resilience. This study also analyzes how bio-based innovations can be harnessed for waste valorization, resource recovery, and environmental sustainability, culminating in a balanced approach to circular economy principles. Using case studies and statistical analysis, the paper presents a comprehensive view of the biochemical mechanisms and economic implications of bio-based innovations, with recommendations for policy and business strategies.

A closed loop system for micro-level conservation of fresh water at household user point has been developed in this work in a comprehensive circular economy (CE) framework encompassing technical, environmental and economic aspects in a concurrent manner. The system has been developed through field survey of households in an urban setting in Indian context and experimental investigation on membrane filtration and recirculation of grey water generated from domestic use like cooking, bathing, washing etc. Pollution load of the grey water utilized in the sample involved high alkalinity (pH = 9.00), total suspended solid (TSS = 536 mg/L), odour (TON 2). Membrane based filtration process has been developed to ensure that the reclaimed water is of acceptable quality as alkalinity decreases to 7.2, TSS reduces to 95 mg per litre and odour in terms of TON reduces to one. Economic feasibility of implementing such a system is assessed by cost benefit analysis. Estimated annualized total cost (capital and operating) for treating and reusing a cubic meter of waste water in this CE framework amounts to US $1.5 only. Preference score derived from utility estimates of conjoint analysis (CA) reveal that consumers have positive attitude to accept water conservation strategy in circular economy framework. The ideal composition of reclaimed grey water to be preferred is odourless (TON value near 1), low TSS (less than 102 mg/L) and neutral pH (nearly7.00) The study reveals that about half of fresh water demand per day per capita can be saved by developing a closed-loop production system at micro level, where grey water generated as waste from domestic use is not discharged as followed in traditional open-ended economic model. Instead of take-make-use-discharge, waste water is added in the production system as a resource. After applying an advanced cost-effective clean technology, grey water is kept in a material loop and usage creating further value for a longer period. Sustainable water system development by this holistic circular water conservation approach is no longer an option but a necessity to protect the life-sustaining valuable freshwater resource. Developing water conservation system in closed-loop model provides a novel solution as it will yield positive and significant utility and economic value in a very cost effective green design.

To decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, the Chinese government proposed the circular economy (CE) strategy as part of its 11th 5-Year Plan. This strategy expands the application of CE from individual enterprises to eco-industrial parks (EIPs) and to the cities, provinces, and regions. We carried out field studies in three EIPs in Baotou, Suzhou, and Shanghai. In this paper, we discuss the current state of CE and the sustainable development of EIPs in China. We first provide detailed information on the three EIPs' infrastructures, preferential policies, CE frameworks, and eco-chains. We then examine the status of sustainable development in the three EIPs from the perspectives of socio-economic, resource and material efficiency, and environmental performance. The results indicate that the overall performance of the three EIPs is reasonably good with respect to socio-economics, resources and materials, and efficiency and environmental protection, whereas green management is rather weak and thus requires further improvement. We found that the CE frameworks along with eco-chains within the EIPs are effectively improving resource and material efficiency. Moreover, we demonstrate that there are positive associations among socio-economic, resource and material, and environmental indicators. Given the large presence of EIPs in the local economies, these results suggest that EIPs play a key role in promoting sustainable development in China.

The circular economy paradigm promises simultaneous financial efficiency and environmental sustainability benefits, yet organisations struggle to achieve quantifiable synergistic outcomes due to optimisation challenges and implementation barriers. While digital technologies are increasingly recognised as critical enablers for circular economy transitions, there exists a significant gap in systematic evidence demonstrating how specific digital enablers quantifiably contribute to both enhanced financial efficiency and improved environmental sustainability within circular economy frameworks. This systematic review examines the dual dividend potential of digital technologies in circular economy implementations, analysing synergistic mechanisms and identifying implementation pathways for achieving comprehensive financial and environmental benefits. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review of 66 high-quality publications spanning 2016-2025 was conducted. It was sourced from multiple databases using comprehensive search strategies encompassing digital enablers, financial efficiency, environmental sustainability, and circular economy principles. Bibliometric analysis was performed using RStudio's Biblioshiny package to map collaboration patterns and thematic structures. The analysis reveals that specific digital enablers—particularly blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and IoT-based systems—generate substantial financial returns through 3.6% annual cost reduction and 4.1% revenue enhancement while simultaneously delivering quantifiable environmental benefits, including a 15% reduction in global CO2 emissions. Digital technologies create synergistic value propositions through sophisticated feedback loops, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making processes that optimise circular economy activities. Implementation success requires systematic approaches integrating technological capabilities with human-centric strategies, stakeholder collaboration, and supportive policy frameworks. These findings challenge conventional trade-off assumptions between economic and environmental objectives, establishing digital technologies as strategic enablers that fundamentally alter circular economy value creation logic. The research provides actionable guidance for organisations seeking sustainable competitive advantage while contributing to global sustainability goals.

Circular Economy: A Product Life Cycle Perspective on Engineering and Manufacturing Practices

In circular economy framework, how to enhance enterprise competitiveness is a key issue. This article discussed the relationship between circular economy and enterprise competitiveness, proposed how to build enterprises competitiveness through perspective of circular economy. In detail, green R&D, technology improvement and innovation, clean production, and green management will be helpful to build enterprises competitiveness in circular economy framework. Besides, national policy and service support is important as well.

Life Cycle Assessment of electricity production from refuse derived fuel: A case study in Italy

In recent years, the introduction of the circular economy’s principles at the micro level is receiving attention in different domains of business literature. Although several studies have focused on the environmental or economic impacts of the adoption of the circular economy at a micro level, detailed analysis of the social aspects of the circular economy in businesses is necessary. From a triple bottom line perspective, social dimensions of the circular economy are one of the three pillars for sustainability accounting and reporting and must be considered in the relationship between firms and their stakeholders. Thus, the main objective of this study is to reflect on the social impact of the business circular economy at the micro level by analysing job generation. As one of this study’s contributions to the literature, it approaches the definition of different indicators inherent to different aspects of the employment in a circular economy framework. To reflect on the social metrics related to employment in circular businesses, this article summarises the results of semi-structured interviews collected in a regional case study in Spain and offers a schematic view of the multi-faceted analysis conducted.

Sustainable development (SD) was introduced in 1987 by the Brundtland Commission report. This leads to the induction of the circular economy (CE). Within these two frameworks, biogas technology plays a crucial role in facilitating the transformation of organic waste into energy and organic fertilizer without producing non‐recyclable waste. This study aims to elucidate how peer‐reviewed research articles employed research methodologies to investigate the interconnections between biogas, CE, and SD within the Global South context. A systematic scoping review was performed with strong adherence to the PRISMA protocol. Therefore, we applied two analytical approaches: a manual interpretative coding analysis and a bibliometric analysis utilizing RStudio's Biblioshiny interface. The results indicate the dominance of quantitative methodology, with the prevalence of experimental and survey research designs. The direct interconnection of biogas, CE, and SD is hard to find in the inquiries of the reviewed articles. Moreover, CE has the least thematic representation compared to the combination of SD and CE as a distinct theme alongside SD. The publication of peer‐reviewed research articles exhibits an increasing trend, with China occupying a prominent position. This review substantiates the instrumental role and status of Biogas in the effective establishment of the CE and SD in Global South Nations. Furthermore, we recommend that future studies should explicitly examine biogas in the framework of CE and SD. Policies should be tailored to the socio‐economic contexts of Global South Nations through the application of instruments like investment support through subsidies or loans, and incentivizing research and development efforts.

Leveraging digital technologies for advancing circular economy practices and enhancing life cycle analysis: A systematic literature review

Mitigating resource curse impact through implementing circular economy effective strategies

Urban infrastructure development is one principal way people are transforming the natural world and their living conditions. It is important for humanity, but it can also cause major impacts to the environment, such as huge amounts of solid waste and CO2 emissions. Considering this, the circular economy (CE) is a promising alternative to the traditional “make, use, and dispose” linear economy model. However, as a strategy for sustainable development (SD), the CE is still in its infancy in the urban transport infrastructure sector. Therefore, this article aims to guide the implementation of CE during transport infrastructure projects. To achieve this goal, a literature review and case study were adopted as the research methods. After reviewing existing well-established CE frameworks, the iReSOLVE (implement, Regenerate, Share, Optimize, Loop, Virtualize, Exchange) framework is recognized as the most comprehensive one. Upon it, an analytical framework containing specific-related aspects of CE in urban transport infrastructure projects (which belongs to meso-scale) is proposed (coined as the 4Wh-iReSOLVE framework). The 4Wh means Who, When, Where, and What. The proposed framework offers insight into potential CE activities for transport infrastructure projects and assists in assessing the performance and impacts of CE of these projects to cover the gap of the neglected meso-scale. Ten circular viaduct project initiatives in the Netherlands are used as case analyses with the 4Wh-iReSOLVE framework. The results present the highlights of the circular viaduct initiatives in the Netherlands, with CE activities categorized into five groups (design-related strategies, general CE strategies, implementation, management, and related digital technologies and materials, as well as environmental sustainability). As verified by several experts of the projects studied, it can be concluded that the 4Wh-iReSOLVE framework is suitable for transport infrastructure project CE analyses and implementations. It can potentially be a suggested guideline in future policy documents.

The circular economy(CE) is a key player in transforming production systems and consumption habits in Western Balkans (WB) countries to tackle the challenges of climate change in a region that includes some of the most polluted capital cities in the world, such as Skopje and Pristina. The circular economy roadmap is one of the main priorities of the Green Transition in the region. Although circular economy practices in the WB countries are still in the early stages of development, there is potential for growth, primarily through the 5Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Recycle). The contributions of the circular economy and social entrepreneurship to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are well recognised, as they provide solutions to social, environmental, and economic challenges. However, there is a need to pair these two concepts more effectively and integrate them. While the circular economy focuses on financial and environmental solutions, social entrepreneurship compensates by offering social solutions. Social enterprises create an inclusive approach to the circular economy. On the other hand, social enterprises that adopt the principles of the circular economy can reduce their operational costs, add value, and create further opportunities for jobs and training. Social enterprises also offer more inclusive business models that prioritise the needs of local communities. Additionally, the transition to a circular economy presents opportunities for social entrepreneurship and social enterprises, including upskilling and reskilling the workforce, developing collaborative business models that target consumers, fostering innovative partnerships, and promoting advocacy opportunities. In the context of WB countries, social entrepreneurship and the circular economy are often studied separately, although research interest in both fields is increasing. Social entrepreneurship has been a crucial driver of social and economic development in these countries. However, the circular economy ecosystem in the WB region remains fragmented. This paper aims to investigate how social entrepreneurship can contribute to building a circular economy ecosystem in the WB region. The approach of this study is qualitative, based on case study methodology, focusing on one particular WB country, Albania. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, including government representatives, academics, NGOs, and social entrepreneurs, between October and November 2024. The study presents a conceptual framework for the circular economy ecosystem, integrating aspects of social entrepreneurship, including social orientation, market orientation, innovation, opportunity recognition, and community orientation. The main contribution of this study is in linking social entrepreneurship with the circular economy. Received: 27 May 2025 / Accepted: 20 July 2025 / Published: 01 August 2025

Is circular economy the key to transitioning towards sustainable development? Challenges from the perspective of care ethics

The rapid depletion of natural resources, increasing waste generation, and escalating environmental impacts of conventional manufacturing systems have intensified the global shift toward sustainable industrial practices. Green manufacturing technologies play a pivotal role in enabling this transition by integrating resource efficiency, cleaner production, and closed-loop material flows aligned with circular economy principles. This paper examines the technological foundations and strategic significance of green manufacturing in fostering circularity across industrial value chains. Key approaches discussed include energy-efficient processes, sustainable material selection, eco-design, additive manufacturing, waste minimization, remanufacturing, and advanced recycling technologies. The study further highlights the role of digital tools such as Industry 4.0, life cycle assessment, and smart monitoring systems in optimizing resource utilization and reducing environmental footprints. By evaluating environmental, economic, and operational benefits, the paper demonstrates how green manufacturing technologies contribute to reduced emissions, enhanced material recovery, and long-term industrial resilience. Challenges related to technological integration, cost, scalability, and policy implementation are also addressed. The findings emphasize that the adoption of green manufacturing technologies is not only an environmental imperative but also a strategic pathway for industries to achieve sustainable growth and competitiveness within a circular economy framework. Keywords: 6R Framework, smart manufacturing, circular economy, industrial ecology and life cycle assessment.