Unveiling the Role of Evolutionary Technologies for Building Circular Economy-Based Sustainable Manufacturing Supply Chain

The fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is influencing and transforming the manufacturing industries’ business activities. To meet rising customer demand and changing behaviour with limited resources, the manufacturing industries must adopt a circular economy idea from traditional linear economies with the use of Industry 4.0 techniques. This study investigates the applications of Industry 4.0 techniques in creating a more promising circular economy concept (CEC) in manufacturing industries by identifying how Industry 4.0 techniques support CEC and how effective manufacturing industries are adopting CEC with the application of Industry 4.0 techniques to fulfil consumer demand and change consumer behaviour for the sustainability of services to people in communities and business survival. Qualitative research methodologies were employed in the study to collect high-quality material from previous research and conduct interviews with corporate executives. Forty research articles were reviewed, and ten company executives from the Papua New Guinea (PNG) manufacturing industry were interviewed. According to the survey, the adoption of Industry 4.0 approaches by manufacturers in each country to establish a promising CEC varies. Rich countries are ahead of the curve in terms of leveraging Industry 4.0 technology to create a promising CEC, whereas poor countries are following the trend, albeit at a slower pace. According to the study, Industry 4.0 is the true facilitator of CEC. Finally, opportunities and threats are revealed and reported, which might encourage manufacturing companies to use Industry 4.0 technology to build a promising CEC.