CIRCULAR PRODUCTION
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for Austrian industry—and digitalisation and Industry 4.0 are key enablers in this transformation. At the same time, various EU-level regulations are emerging that increasingly link sustainability with digital technologies.
The Circular Production focus area of Plattform Industrie 4.0 is dedicated to supporting sustainability in manufacturing companies, with a clear emphasis on digital aspects. It concentrates on three core areas: resource efficiency, energy efficiency, and circularity. In manufacturing and within the broader context of the circular economy, five key lifecycle phases can be identified: design, production, use, reuse, and recycling & thermal recovery. Across all these stages, it is essential to consider resources, energy, and emissions—and to keep products in the loop as long as possible while preserving their value.
Sustainable production is often an interdisciplinary topic that looks at products, materials, energy, and emissions across the value chain. It requires a perspective that goes beyond company boundaries, with data and digitalisation playing a central role.
Sustainability in manufacturing therefore calls for interdisciplinary expertise—often at the intersection of sustainability and digitalisation, and in connection with circular business models and cross-company collaboration.
At Plattform Industrie 4.0, we are working on various aspects of this complex topic and offer our members up-to-date information and a framework for exchange and networking:
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Circular Economy Use Cases: A collection of circular economy use cases in industry – CLICK HERE to see all use cases
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Monthly Check-Ins: Updates and discussions on sustainability and circular economy topics
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(Online) Events on Specific Topics: For example, on ecodesign or new regulations, each featuring concrete use cases from industry and research
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Position Papers: In 2024, we published our first position paper on the circular economy, with contributions from over 50 members of Plattform Industrie 4.0 and concrete policy recommendations. A summary is available below, and the full paper can be accessed HERE
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Research Projects: Through active research projects, we expand our knowledge and share the latest insights with our community. Current research projects related to this topic are listed in the tab on the right.
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Focus Topic: Digital Product Passport: Since 2023, we’ve placed a strong focus on the Digital Product Passport. You can find more details further down or HERE.
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Additional Activities: Beyond the initiatives listed above, Plattform Industrie 4.0 is committed to advancing sustainability in production and is actively engaged in various collaborations.
By sharing knowledge and experience, industry, research, and society can take action that not only supports a more sustainable future, but also strengthens Austria’s position as an innovative industrial hub.
DIGITAL PRODUCT PASSPORT
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is a key element of the European circular economy strategy and originates from the Ecodesign Regulation. The DPP aims to establish a digital infrastructure that supports circularity. In the future, (sustainability) information along a product’s value chain will be collected, stored, and made digitally accessible—e.g. via QR code. This is intended to enhance product circularity, help customers make more informed purchasing decisions, and increase overall transparency across the value chain.
Today, there are still many open questions around the DPP. Developments are highly dynamic, and staying up to date is a challenge. That’s why Plattform Industrie 4.0 has been providing regular updates on the Digital Product Passport since January 2024.
At the core of these updates are the DPP Check-Ins: short, one-hour online meetings held every 1–2 months, offering key updates on the DPP and creating a space for exchange and discussion. In addition, Plattform Industrie 4.0 regularly publishes documents providing a clear overview of the DPP—such as the “DPP Fact Sheet”.
POSITION PAPER: On the Path to a Circular Economy – Key Enablers and Policy Impulses for Future-Proof Production and Value Creation in Austria
The publication “On the Path to a Circular Economy – Key Enablers and Policy Impulses for Future-Proof Production and Value Creation in Austria” aims to identify key enablers that can facilitate the transition to a circular economy in Austrian industry and to formulate concrete policy recommendations to support this transformation process.
More than 50 members of Plattform Industrie 4.0 contributed to this publication. As a result, seven key enablers were identified: digitalisation, regulations and standards, cross-company collaboration, service providers, circular business models, societal change, and targeted research activities.
The publication also outlines a series of policy recommendations that play a vital role in transforming Austrian industry toward circularity. Success in this field cannot be achieved through isolated measures—it requires a systemic approach supported by incentives across multiple areas.
