The Role of Low-Cost Digital Solutions in Supporting Industrial Sustainability

Abstract

Small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers are impeded from participating in sustainability initiatives using new technologies due to the high cost and the lack of clarity on where to start. The integration of low-cost digital solutions has enabled SME manufacturers to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies to support operations. However, using low-cost technologies to address sustainability challenges is underexplored. This article addresses three key research questions: What digital solutions do SMEs need to address industrial sustainability challenges? To what extent can existing low-cost digital solutions be used to address industrial sustainability challenges? How should new digital solutions for developing greater sustainability be prioritised? Three main tasks were conducted. Initially, a new sustainability-focused sub-catalogue was created using an existing catalogue of low-cost solution areas for manufacturing. Secondly, a workshop with 17 participants was used to identify the top ten priority solution areas, with process monitoring, energy monitoring, and quality inspection at the top. Lastly, existing low-cost digital solutions within the top ten priority areas were evaluated to identify how they could contribute to lean manufacturing. Predominantly existing solutions could contribute to waste or use reduction in lean manufacturing. This study provides a foundation for the future development of low-cost solutions for sustainability by indicating manufacturers’ key priority areas and outlining how existing solutions could be adapted to support waste reduction.