Digital tools and 3D printing emerge as key themes in circular economy research

Digital tools and 3D printing emerge as key themes in circular economy research Lisa Lock Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Chief Editor A review of the research literature spanning the years 2020 to 2026 has found that digital technologies, additive manufacturing and resource recovery are major themes in the transition toward a sustainable, circular economy. The work, published in the International Journal of Services and Operations Management, highlights the need for more cooperation between businesses and other stakeholders and for better governmental policies to ease the transition. Traditionally, industry has extracted resources and manufactured products. Consumers use these products, and when they are finished with them, they are dumped into the waste stream. The notion of the circular economy replaces that model to minimize resource use and reduce waste. Strategies such as reuse, repair, recycling and upcycling, and remanufacturing are all in development and used to varying degrees to reduce the demand for raw materials and limit environmental harm. The study analyzed research from 372 journals covering operations, production, logistics and supply chain management. The team found that information technology and additive manufacturing are being used to reduce material waste. The review also identified regeneration and resource recovery as important approaches. Fundamentally, the transition to a circular economy will improve efficiency, lower costs, open new markets and create jobs. However, its adoption will depend on coordinated action and putting policies in place that support sustainable practices across industry and its supply chains. Currently, financial and operational constraints mean companies need tailored strategies and workforce training to help with the transition. More information Sergio Andrés Cáceres Mariño et al., Exploring the trends, models and challenges of the circular economy: a review of the literature, International Journal of Services and Operations Management (2026). DOI: 10.1504/ijsom.2026.157204 Provided by Inderscience