Ceramic Industry 4.0: Paths of Revolution in Traditional Products

Abstract

Industry 4.0 presents new challenges for traditional sectors of the economy, for example, the production of ceramic products. This chapter reveals how traditional ceramic industries can (1) assess, (2) plan, and (3) execute Industry 4.0 adoption. The findings are based on the Portuguese ceramic sector. Three interrelated dimensions of the fourth industrial revolution are studied, namely, (1) digital ecosystems, (2) security and safety, and (3) digital sustainability. Industry 4.0 is not restricted to high-tech products and cannot be addressed by one-size-fits-all solutions. Moreover, it requires cooperation within business ecosystems. The authors propose a model for Ceramic Industry 4.0 and accessible guidelines for managers involved in global supply chains. This chapter suggests emergent research opportunities for (1) sectorial maturity models, (2) data quality and regulatory compliance, (3) cyber-security and risk management, and (4) an integrated vision of sustainability in the digital era.