circular economy

This study examines the contribution of natural building materials, in particular loam and wood, to the sustainable development of logistics infrastructure, assessing ecological, economic, and technical dimensions across the entire life cycle. Potentials, restrictions, and supportive framework conditions are identified based on literature analyses and expert interviews. Wood proves to be technically mature and ecologically advantageous, especially in high rack construction, while loam offers high potential for energy- and resource-efficient construction. The study concludes with recommendations for research, policy, and practice to establish circular construction methods in logistics.

Sustainability has gained increasing importance for all stakeholders in the value creation network in recent years. As a result, companies are working to optimizr their products and processes with respect to the three dimensions of sustainability. To responsibly design production systems that are sustainable in the long term, continuous data exchange between all actors in the value creation network is essential. Both in early product development and in production planning and execution, reliable information and corresponding decision support are crucial. The following article addresses the structured collection of requirements that companies in the automotive industry have for a data model and methodology to enable decision support.

In the connected world, digital twins open up completely new possibilities: they virtually replicate physical systems, processes, or products. However, key challenges remain, including the collection of current product data. This issue of Industry 4.0 Science covers a wide range of topics, from the basic concept of the digital twin to its benefits in procurement and its use in supply chain management.

As environmental challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity intensify, with Earth Overshoot Day highlighting overconsumption, the circular economy emerges as a crucial solution. Legislation at the national and EU level obliges companies to become more sustainable. Simultaneously, the circular economy strengthens economic resilience, promotes innovation and creates competitive advantages. However, the impact on the labor market is controversial, as fewer primary resources and new products are needed. Sustainable corporate management requires a balanced consideration of the triple bottom line: Planet, People, and Profit, treating each as equally important. In contrast to the linear economy, the circular economy follows the ‘cradle to cradle’ principle and integrates the ten R-Strategies of sustainability. These strategies range from refuse (avoidance) and reduce (reduction) to recycling and repurpose (reuse). Companies should identify which strategies can be swiftly ...

Artificial intelligence, collaborative robotics, and virtual worlds, such as the metaverse, are fueling visions for new forms of industrial value creation. However, innovation alone is not enough—given that these technologies only develop their full potential through intelligent business models. How can companies efficiently integrate AI-supported automation, cobots and digital twins into their processes?

Manufacturing companies incorporate reverse logistics as a building block of the circular economy for greater sustainability. Case studies show that this can result in strategic opportunities. This article summarizes an analysis of expert interviews on the increase in supply chain resilience attributed to reverse logistics. Potential benefits are highlighted, and companies are encouraged to examine the approach and implement innovative solutions. The result is a hypothesis-based value model that serves as an orientation aid for decision-makers.

Digital transformation has been a central focus of scientific discussions for years. Questions relating to data-driven decisions, artificial intelligence and resilient supply chains are at the heart of current research. The articles in this issue explain key trends and present scientific findings and practical solutions - from automation and the circular economy to cloud computing.