Integrating emerging technologies in circular supply chains: a review of key trends and a way ahead

Ashutosh Mishra, Akshay Dvivedi and Pradeep Kumar

Chapter 14 in Handbook on Artificial Intelligence and the Circular Economy, 2026, pp 200-217 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Rethinking the conventional supply chain model is essential to make a transition to a circular economy (CE), which is a path to sustainability, resource efficiency, and waste minimisation. Circular supply chain management (CSCs) is about creating loops for products, materials, and resource reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. This study provides an outline of advanced emerging technologies (ET) in CSCs, including a few recent technological innovations such as big data analytics, blockchain, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Key trends, opportunities, and challenges in applying emerging technologies to CSC approaches are revealed through the exploration of 97 research articles published between 2018 and 2024. The potential of these emerging technologies to improve circularity is exciting. At the same time, they do have significant gaps in optimising reverse logistics, predictive maintenance, and resource recovery processes, and efficiencies stand to increase dramatically. This study targets such gaps to guide future research and practice. This literature review provides an understanding that will allow policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to utilise the potential of emerging strategies in SCM to be optimistic and motivated to further the principles of the CE.

Keywords: Circular supply chains; Emerging technologies; Sustainable supply chains; Machine learning in CSC; Artificial Intelligence in CSC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035343379
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