Microalgae-based circular supply chain configurations using Industry 4.0 technologies for pharmaceuticals

Renewable feedstocks and Industry 4.0 technologies in supply chains could operationalise circular economy and promote sustainable development. This study explores potential supply network configurations utilising microalgae feedstocks, whose bioactive morphology provides promising commercial opportunities, supported by continuous manufacturing technologies. Specifically, continuous microalgae cultivation photobioreactors and acoustic-based extractors, which leverage data, sensing, computation, and intelligent interconnection, enable centralised and decentralised network configurations. First, a value chain mapping approach was applied to the US pharmaceutical industry to illuminate how emerging microalgae platform technologies could stimulate the reconfiguration of medicine supply networks. Second, supply network modelling and scenario analysis allowed to explore supply chain configuration options for breast cancer pharmaceuticals in Texas. This research reveals that microalgae-based pharmaceutical supply networks using Industry 4.0 technologies could facilitate distrib-uted manufacturing capabilities. The findings provide a foundation for galvanising future efforts toward exploiting renewable feedstocks and smart technologies for designing circular manufacturing networks.