Abstract
Meeting current needs while not sacrificing the future ability to do so as a key sustainability concept is becoming more challenging than ever, with the increasing population rate, energy poverty, global warming, and surging demand for products and services. Manufacturing is in a prime position to address this challenge, with its significant economic contribution to the global GDP and its high influence over the environment and humanity. Sustainable manufacturing technologies research is growing to support our journey towards sustainable development. This article undertook the systematic review of state-of-the-art sustainable manufacturing technologies literature, evidencing the latest themes and trends in this important research avenue. Descriptive and thematic analyses were performed, synthesising the latest advancements in the field. Sustainable manufacturing processes, especially sustainable machining, was established as a key theme, including research endeavours of elimination of lubricants. Various manufacturing systems and process sustainability assessment technologies were noted. Sustainability indicators addressed were critically evaluated. As an outcome, a conceptual framework of sustainable manufacturing technology research was constructed to structure the knowledge acquired and to provoke future thinking. Finally, challenges and future directions were provided for both industrial and academic reader base, stimulating growth in this fruitful research stream.
Highlights
The distribution of articles included against publication years are shown in Figure 4, where the emerging and growing nature of the sustainable manufacturing technology research is further evidenced
A systematic and comprehensive review of the sustainable manufacturing technologies literature was undertaken in line with the research motivation and systematic literature review protocol
All research questions were addressed through presentation of detailed descriptive and thematic findings, establishing the latest themes and trends, the research hot spots, and the sustainability dimensions and their associated indicators evident in the sustainable manufacturing (SM) technology research
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Sustainable development is an imperative parameter, commonly defined as the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” by the Brundtland Report [1,2].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
