A Mapping Study of the Current Literature on Digitalization and Industry 4.0 Technologies Utilization for Sustainability and Circular Economy in Textile Industries

Abstract

Fast fashion has one of the highest negative impacts on the environment. Huge amount of water and energy is consumed in all processes of raw material extraction, fiber manufacturing, weaving, dyeing, washing to the end of use, recycling and burning fibers and clothes waste. During the past decade, researchers and policy makers have discussed circular economy (CE) solutions and business models aiming to achieve sustainability goals. CE solutions have gained textile industries, regulators and scholars’ attention as we are moving towards a digital world, many experts argued that Industry 4.0 technologies can accelerate industrial transition towards circularity. Digital technologies help transfer real-time material and product’s condition, availability, accessibility and resources data and boost the CE transition in textiles and apparel industries. Product design development, product prototyping and recycling the materials can be done in higher efficiency by utilizing industry 4.0 technologies. Authors conducted a mapping study of the current academic literature on digitalization-based solutions and revolution in textiles industries towards circular economy. The study looked for publications articulating different implementations of digital technologies in circularity of textile industry. Huge gap was found in academic literature in need of further investigation and research to support the topic.