International Journal of Production Research

From Vision to Practice: Realizing Net-Zero Manufacturing Through Circular Economy and Smart Production

The global transition to net zero manufacturing is becoming increasingly urgent as industries face growing pressure from regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, and economic challenges (Vieira et al., 2021). The European Union’s Net Zero Industry Act has set ambitious targets to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies, aiming to ensure that at least 40 percent of the EU’s annual deployment needs for strategic net zero technologies are met domestically by 2030 (European Commission, 2023). These efforts align with broader global sustainability initiatives, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), both of which emphasize sustainable industrialization and efficient use of resources (United Nations, 2021).

Turning these commitments into effective industrial strategies requires an integrated approach that combines circular economy principles with intelligent production systems. Net zero manufacturing builds on related concepts such as emission reduction and decarbonization but also extends beyond them. While emission reduction focuses on limiting greenhouse gas emissions through specific actions, and decarbonization involves shifting to low or zero-carbon technologies and energy sources (Niu et al., 2023), the net zero approach brings these elements together and also addresses remaining emissions through removal or offset strategies. It represents a more holistic and goal-driven framework that demands not only technological advancement but also a fundamental redesign of value chains, production systems, and lifecycle strategies to create a balanced and sustainable industrial future (European Commission, 2023).

Smart production and operations play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between strategic ambition and practical implementation of net-zero manufacturing. It encompasses a broad set of interconnected technologies and practices that enhance the responsiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of manufacturing systems (Zhou et al., 2021). Drawing on the foundations of Industry 4.0, smart production integrates digitalization, automation, advanced analytics, and intelligent control to enable real-time monitoring, adaptive operations, and informed decision-making across the value chain. Rather than relying on a single solution, it leverages a synergistic mix of technological tools to improve transparency, traceability, and resource efficiency (Psarommatis et al., 2021; Wei et al., 2024).

Another significant enabling mechanism in achieving net-zero manufacturing is the decarbonization of industrial supply chains (Koh et al., 2023). Supply chains contribute substantially to total emissions, making it critical to implement strategies that reduce carbon footprints while maintaining operational efficiency and competitiveness (Chen et al., 2024). Integrating circular economy principles with Industry 4.0 technologies is another critical step toward sustainable manufacturing (Dwivedi et al., 2022; Gupta et al., 2025). Closed-loop systems have been shown to reduce material waste and improve resource utilization, offering a pathway to greater sustainability (Kara et al., 2022). Moreover, AI-driven predictive analytics plays a vital role in optimizing energy use, minimizing material waste, and dynamically adjusting production in response to environmental and operational constraints (Olawumi and Oladapo, 2025; Shen et al., 2024). Several studies also highlight the role of decision-making frameworks that account for carbon pricing policies and regulatory instruments in shaping carbon-efficient production strategies (Hsieh et al., 2023).

This special issue seeks to present cutting-edge research and real-world applications that demonstrate how circular economy strategies and smart production technologies contribute to achieving net-zero manufacturing. We welcome contributions that explore emerging technologies, interdisciplinary approaches, and system-wide transformation frameworks that facilitate the transition to climate-neutral industrial operations. By fostering deeper insights into these enabling factors, this issue aims to provide actionable strategies for building a more sustainable and resilient manufacturing sector.

Topics of interest
We welcome original research articles, case studies, and review papers that address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

• Closed-loop supply chains and waste reduction initiatives for low-carbon and climate-resilient manufacturing
• Industry 4.0-enabled smart operations for net-zero manufacturing transformation
• Life-cycle assessment of sustainable manufacturing processes
• AI-driven optimization for energy-efficient production
• Big data analytics and decision support for carbon footprint reduction
• Renewable energy integration into industrial production systems
• Electrification of industrial processes for carbon neutrality
• AI-powered energy forecasting and optimization in manufacturing
• The impact of carbon pricing and regulatory policies on production systems
• Economic incentives and financial mechanisms for green manufacturing
• Cross-sectoral collaboration for achieving net-zero industry goals
• Policy-driven roadmaps for industrial decarbonization
• Multi-criteria decision-making for net-zero manufacturing strategy development

Note
The guest editors are affiliated with the 52nd International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering (CIE52).
High-quality papers presented at CIE52 will be invited to submit significantly extended versions for consideration in this special issue.
The special issue will also be promoted through the guest editors' professional networks to ensure broad visibility among interested researchers.

References
Chen, G., Lim, M. K., Yeo, W., & Tseng, M. L. (2024). Net zero vs. carbon neutrality: Supply chain management challenges and future research agenda. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 1–36.

Dwivedi, A., Moktadir, M. A., Jabbour, C. J. C., & de Carvalho, D. E. (2022). Integrating the circular economy and Industry 4.0 for sustainable development: Implications for responsible footwear production in a big data-driven world. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121335.

European Commission. (2023). Net-Zero Industry Act. Retrieved from https://commission.europa.eu

Gupta, S., Singh, R. K., & Amrit, C. (2025). Integrating Industry 4.0 with Circular Economy Approach for Sustainable and Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 26, 115–145.

Hsieh, C. L., Tsai, W. H., & Chu, P. Y. (2023). Analyzing Production Optimization Models Across Various Carbon Pricing Policies. International Journal of Production Research, 62(18), 6713–6731.

Kara, S., Hauschild, M., Sutherland, J. W., & McAloone, T. C. (2022). Closed-loop systems to circular economy: A pathway to environmental sustainability? CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology, 71(2), 505–528.

Koh, S. L., Jia, F., Gong, Y., Zheng, X., & Dolgui, A. (2023). Achieving carbon neutrality via supply chain management: position paper and editorial for IJPR special issue. International Journal of Production Research, 61(18), 6081-6092.

Niu, B., Zhang, N., Xie, F., & Zhang, H. (2023). Optimisation of carbon emission reduction in a competitive market with varying saturation and eco-conscious consumers. International Journal of Production Research, 62(18), 6518–6541.

Olawumi, M. A., & Oladapo, B. I. (2025). AI-driven predictive models for sustainability. Journal of Environmental Management, 373, 123472.

Psarommatis, F., Sousa, J., Mendonça, J. P., & Kiritsis, D. (2021). Zero-defect manufacturing the approach for higher manufacturing sustainability in the era of industry 4.0: a position paper. International Journal of Production Research, 60(1), 73–91.

Shen, M., Tang, B., & Zhang, K. (2024). Low Carbon Operation Optimisation Strategies for HVAC Systems in Office Buildings. International Journal of Production Research, 62(18), 6781–6800.

United Nations. (2021). Sustainable Development Goals Report. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2021/

Vieira, L. C., Longo, M., & Mura, M. (2021). Are the European manufacturing and energy sectors on track for achieving net-zero emissions in 2050? An empirical analysis. Energy Policy, 156, 112464.

Wei, Y. M., Huang, Z., Coffman, D., Liao, H., & Wang, K. (2024). Production Optimisation in Carbon Reduction Engineering Management. International Journal of Production Research, 62(18), 6445–6448.

Zhou, L., Jiang, Z., Geng, N., Niu, Y., Cui, F., Liu, K., & Qi, N. (2021). Production and operations management for intelligent manufacturing: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Production Research, 60(2), 808–846