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From Geomimetic to Biomimetic Manufacturing: Digitally Transforming Industry for Sustainability

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  • Gregory C. Unruh

    (School of Integrative Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA)

Abstract

Digital technologies and Industry 4.0 hold the prospect of improving the sustainability performance of manufacturing, but the environmental implications of this transformation are uncertain. To contribute to resolving the environmental impacts of production, Industry 4.0 needs to be guided by sustainable manufacturing principles. This article asserts that we have access to only one functioning example of sustainable production on planet Earth, which is nature, and that Industry 4.0 guided by natural biomimetic principles can advance sustainable production goals. It first contends that industry to date has been guided geomimetic principles—which is the industrial mimicking of physical geologic processes—and that geomimicry is a source of many environmental externalities arising from industrial production. The paper then introduces a series of nature-inspired, biomimetic principles that can be facilitated by the unique capabilities inherent in emerging digital production technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Gregory C. Unruh, 2023. "From Geomimetic to Biomimetic Manufacturing: Digitally Transforming Industry for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4550-:d:1086866
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hayes, Samantha & Desha, Cheryl & Baumeister, Dayna, 2020. "Learning from nature – Biomimicry innovation to support infrastructure sustainability and resilience," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
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    4. Jabbour, Charbel Jose Chiappetta & Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa & Sarkis, Joseph & Filho, Moacir Godinho, 2019. "Unlocking the circular economy through new business models based on large-scale data: An integrative framework and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 546-552.
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