Sustainable Manufacturing for a Circular Economy

Abstract

The emerging circular economy paradigm and subsequently changing consumption patterns drive the manufacturing industry to more sustainable designs and operations. Not only the environmental standards, but the way firms conduct business in economic and social aspects also comes into the consideration of buyers and investors. In this article, the framework consisting of four sustainable manufacturing pillars of supply chain, materials, design and production, and management and organization is presented so that manufacturers can embrace relevant examples in their business activities and make further transitions toward a circular economy. The analysis revealed several sustainability-oriented agendas and techniques such as sustainable management of supply chains and materials, smart and lean production, servitization, and environmental/social/corporate governance principles can form a virtuous cycle of socio-economic and environmental value creation.