Industry 4.0 and Sustainability
Integrating Digital Technologies and Circular Models for a Sustainable Future
- 1st Edition - January 1, 2026
- Editors: Muhammad Imran Khan, Sami G. Al-Ghamdi, Mushtaq Khan
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 2 8 8 0 - 0
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 3 2 8 8 1 - 7
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly termed Industry 4.0, is transforming production and manufacturing through integration of advanced digital technologies like artificial… Read more
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly termed Industry 4.0, is transforming production and manufacturing through integration of advanced digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), industrial internet of things (IIoT), big data analytics, additive manufacturing, and advanced robotics. While much discussion has centered on potential economic impacts, Industry 4.0 also holds significant implications for sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. However, simply adopting technologies does not guarantee sustainability benefits, and improperly managed, they pose risks related to job losses, inequality, and rebound effects that must be addressed through integrative frameworks. ‘Industry 4.0 and Sustainability’ will provide the first comprehensive, evidence-based perspective unifying technological, organizational, policy, and social considerations to strategically direct Industry 4.0 innovations towards improved sustainability across economic, environmental, and social dimensions. With applied case studies and integrated roadmaps spanning engineering, management, and policy, it fills a crucial gap in guiding Industry 4.0 deployments to accelerate progress on sustainable development goals.
- Understand capabilities of Industry 4.0 technologies to transform manufacturing, operations, and business models towards sustainability
- Learn integrative strategies combining technological and organizational interventions to maximize sustainability outcomes
- Gain insights into implementation challenges and solutions from empirical case studies
- Access innovative models and frameworks spanning engineering, management, and policy perspectives
- Apply findings through recommendations and guidelines for research and practice
- Appreciate nuances around balancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability
- Develop interdisciplinary literacy at the nexus of digital technologies and sustainability
Academics, researchers, and graduate students across engineering, business management, public policy, and sustainability sciences
Part I: Fundamentals of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability
1. Industry 4.0: Evolution and Technologies
2. Sustainability Imperatives for Manufacturing
3. Role of Digital Technologies in Enabling Sustainable Outcomes
Part II: Leveraging Industry 4.0 Technologies for Sustainability
4. Internet of Things for Energy and Resource Efficiency
5. Artificial Intelligence Optimizing Processes and Infrastructure
6. Additive Manufacturing for Near-Zero Waste and Lifecycle Design
7. Blockchain Applications in Sustainable Supply Chains
8. Big Data Analytics for Real-time Monitoring and Assessment
Part III: Integrating Sustainability in Industry 4.0 Deployments
9. Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in The Digital Era
10. Circular Economy Models and Industry 4.0
11. Renewable Energy Integration and Management
12. Organizational Leadership and Workforce Development
13. Policy Pathways to Incentivize Sustainable Industry 4.0
Part IV: Multidisciplinary Perspectives and Frameworks
14. Critical Social Perspectives on Automation and Job Impacts
15. Economic and Environmental Modeling of Industry 4.0 Sustainability
16. Integrative Roadmaps for Technology, Organization and Policy
17. Validation of Sustainability Solutions in Real-World Contexts
18. Barriers, Best Practices, and Guidelines for Implementation
19. Stakeholder Collaborations for Systems Transformation
20. Conclusion and Future Outlook]
1. Industry 4.0: Evolution and Technologies
2. Sustainability Imperatives for Manufacturing
3. Role of Digital Technologies in Enabling Sustainable Outcomes
Part II: Leveraging Industry 4.0 Technologies for Sustainability
4. Internet of Things for Energy and Resource Efficiency
5. Artificial Intelligence Optimizing Processes and Infrastructure
6. Additive Manufacturing for Near-Zero Waste and Lifecycle Design
7. Blockchain Applications in Sustainable Supply Chains
8. Big Data Analytics for Real-time Monitoring and Assessment
Part III: Integrating Sustainability in Industry 4.0 Deployments
9. Sustainable Manufacturing Practices in The Digital Era
10. Circular Economy Models and Industry 4.0
11. Renewable Energy Integration and Management
12. Organizational Leadership and Workforce Development
13. Policy Pathways to Incentivize Sustainable Industry 4.0
Part IV: Multidisciplinary Perspectives and Frameworks
14. Critical Social Perspectives on Automation and Job Impacts
15. Economic and Environmental Modeling of Industry 4.0 Sustainability
16. Integrative Roadmaps for Technology, Organization and Policy
17. Validation of Sustainability Solutions in Real-World Contexts
18. Barriers, Best Practices, and Guidelines for Implementation
19. Stakeholder Collaborations for Systems Transformation
20. Conclusion and Future Outlook]
- Edition: 1
- Published: January 1, 2026
- Language: English
MK
Muhammad Imran Khan
Dr. Muhammad Imran Khan is a Full Professor in the College of Engineering at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia. He obtained his PhD in Energy and Environmental Engineering from the University of Reading, UK. Dr. Khan has over 16 years of experience across industry, research, and academia related to engineering operations, energy systems, and sustainable development. His research utilizes an applied, interdisciplinary approach integrating engineering, economics, and policy to advance low carbon energy systems and sustainability. Dr. Khan has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles, 15 of which are Highly Cited Papers ranking in the top 1% in their field. His Google Scholar h-index stands at 51 with over 6500 citations. He is among the top 0.3% of influential scientists worldwide according to Stanford University's global scientist ranking. Dr. Khan has received numerous honors and awards recognizing his contributions to energy and sustainability, including the Energy Engineer of the Year from the US Association of Energy Engineers. Dr. Khan serves as an Associate Editor for three Elsevier journals including: Sustainable Futures (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/sustainable-futures); Energy Research & Social Science (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/energy-research-and-socialscience); Process Safety and Environmental Protection (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/process-safety-and-environmentalprotection) and has been guest editor for special issues in several leading journals. Dr. Khan is an elected Fellow of institutions such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), UK, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK, Engineers Australia, Pakistan Academy of Engineering, Australian Institute of Energy, Australia, and Instition of Gas Engineers and Manager (IGEM), UK. He is also a Chartered/Professional Engineer registered with the national Engineering Councils in UK, Ireland and Australia. With his extensive research background situated at the nexus of Industry 4.0, energy systems, and sustainability, Dr. Khan will bring valuable expertise and leadership as editor of this timely book. His experience publishing highimpact interdisciplinary research will ensure the book integrates technological, organizational, and policy dimensions through an evidence-based approach. Dr. Khan's vision is for the book to stimulate debate and innovation in leveraging Industry 4.0 to accelerate the transition towards sustainable and just digital manufacturing futures.
Affiliations and expertise
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi ArabiaSA
Sami G. Al-Ghamdi
Dr. Sami G. Al-Ghamdi is an Associate Professor of Sustainability and Climate Change at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. He obtained his PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. Dr. Al-Ghamdi's research focuses on the complexities of the built environment, including the intersections of climate change, energy systems, water resources, and sustainability. He utilizes a multidisciplinary approach spanning engineering, environmental sciences, economics, and policy. Dr. Al-Ghamdi has published over 130 peer-reviewed papers and serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Sustainability. Dr. Al-Ghamdi has extensive experience conducting life cycle assessment of technologies and systems. His work examines the sustainability implications of major infrastructure like desalination plants, buildings, transportation, and renewable energy. As an expert on climate change and resiliency issues facing the Middle East, he provides crucial regional context regarding sustainability challenges and pathways. With his background in studying sustainability science and environmental life cycle analysis, Dr. Al-Ghamdi will provide important insights into assessing Industry 4.0 technologies from a sustainability perspective. His specialized expertise will inform integrative strategies to leverage advanced manufacturing for energy and resource efficiency while considering regional climate change impacts. Dr. Al-Ghamdi aims to synthesize perspectives from engineering, environmental science, and policy domains to develop actionable frameworks for Industry 4.0 sustainability.
Affiliations and expertise
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi ArabiaMK
Mushtaq Khan
Dr. Mushtaq Khan is a Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia. He obtained his PhD in Additive Manufacturing from Loughborough University, UK followed by Post-Doc at University of Manchester, UK. Dr. Khan has over 15 years of research and teaching experience related to advanced manufacturing technologies, additive manufacturing, laser processing, and Industry 4.0. His research utilizes an interdisciplinary approach combining engineering design, materials science, and manufacturing processes. Dr. Khan has published over 50 papers in leading journals, including Rapid Prototyping Journal, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, and Lasers in Engineering. He has also presented his work at major international conferences like IMechE and ASME. Dr. Khan has worked extensively with state-of-the-art additive manufacturing technologies like Selective Laser Melting, Laser Cladding, and 3D Printing. As an academic researcher, he has been engaged in multiple externally funded projects related to advanced manufacturing, lightweight materials, and process optimization. Dr. Khan also has industry exposure, having worked on industrial research projects and professional training programs. With his in-depth expertise in additive manufacturing and familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, Dr. Khan will make significant contributions as a co-editor for this timely book. His specialized perspective on leveraging advanced manufacturing methods for sustainability outcomes will add value to the book. Dr. Khan is keen to synthesize cross-disciplinary insights shaping the future of smart, sustainable manufacturing.
Affiliations and expertise
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia