A bibliometric review for mapping synergies between life cycle assessment and industry 4.0 in the food sector

Purpose Exploring how Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies support or intersect with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the food industry reveals a growing but methodologically fragmented body of research. This study aims to map the evolution, key actors, and conceptual developments of this intersection through bibliometric methods. Methods A total of 414 peer-reviewed publications from 2010 to 2024 were retrieved from Scopus using search strings about I4.0 technologies, LCA and food sector, using the PRISMA protocol. A two-step analysis was conducted: quantitative trends (authors, journals, institutions, countries) and keyword co-occurrence using VOSviewer to detect thematic clusters. Results and discussion Four thematic areas were identified: IoT for smart agriculture, environmental impact of food industry, AI driven food processes, and food supply chain 4.0. While research activity has intensified post-2020, conceptual integration of Industry 4.0 and Life Cycle Assessment remains limited and fragmented. Several clusters show weak connectivity, reflecting a need for interdisciplinary bridging. Conclusions This study highlights knowledge gaps and emerging directions at the interface of digital innovation and environmental sustainability in the food sector. Findings support the development of a more cohesive research agenda and inform stakeholders seeking to align digital transformation with robust sustainability assessment tools.