Topic: Advanced Manufacturing: Big Data and Analytics in Industry 4.0

In the context of the digital transformation within the industrial sector, Industry 4.0 has ushered in a new era characterized by the fusion of physical and digital systems. The exponential growth of data, coupled with advancements in analytics, has positioned big data as a cornerstone for innovation and efficiency.

This Special Issue, "Advanced Manufacturing: Big Data and Analytics in Industry 4.0", provides a scholarly examination of the intersection between big data and analytics within the Industry 4.0 framework. It recognizes the urgent need for sustainable and intelligent industrial practices that address the environmental challenges confronting the 21st century. The issue elucidates the instrumental role of analytics in cultivating a circular economy, promoting eco-design principles, and facilitating the transition towards environmentally benign manufacturing processes. It demonstrates the capacity of analytics to serve as a vanguard for innovation, extending beyond technological progress to include the development of business models that embrace sustainability and circularity.

In conclusion, this Special Issue presents a prospective analysis on the integration of big data and analytics within the Industry 4.0 paradigm. It delivers strategic insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers, advocating for a future where industrial growth is in harmony with environmental conservation and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Big data, Industry 4.0, environmental sustainability, supply chain optimization, energy efficiency, smart maintenance

31 Mar 2025