Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the adoption and implementation of technologies related to Industry 4.0 and the integration with circular economy (CE) to minimize the effects of resource scarcity in emergency situations. Method: The study was developed in two stages: The first consists of a systematic review of the literature for analytical categorization of the technologies of Industry 4.0 that can be useful for implementation in the circular economy. In the second step, empirical validation was carried out with 45 foodtech startups from the agribusiness value chain, farm to table, reuse, and waste management and disposal segments. Results: The contributions of the study show that: (i) The business models of startups in the food segment are closely aligned with the assumptions of circular economy. (ii) The technologies of industry 4.0 are supporting the implementation of circular economy in foodtech companies. (iii) Digitization, traceability, software as a service, traceability, digital solutions, and shared platforms occupy the leadership in the interface between CE and industry 4.0. (iv) Partnerships are strategic elements in the creation of innovative ecosystems for the success of foodtech startups. Conclusions: We conclude this paper with a diagnosis about companies involved in the foodtech segment in addition to the proposition of a business and sectorial agenda to consolidate the Industry 4.0 technologies in order to promote circular economy.

PurposeThe proposal is to answer the following question: based on previous studies, which are the new paths and challenges related to the circular economy (CE) and Industry 4.0 (I4.0)? To answer this question, the research objective is to analyze studies approaching the interface between CE and I4.0.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted on previously published studies pertaining to Scopus and Web of Science bases, and 63 articles were found.FindingsThe authors present five new paths and challenges amid the relationship between CE and I4.0: applying those technologies to clean production, using blockchain and big data in the circular supply chain, raising additive manufacturing impact on the CE, seek for a better understanding on how I4.0 technologies can properly support the CE in the stakeholders' view and discerning the factors for implementing those theoretical fields onto supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsPrevious studies' sample basis is still recent, lacking research depth. Search strings might have minimized the number of selected studies: there could be a bigger sample.Practical implicationsPractical contributions of this study lay on the applicability of the raised propositions into several sectors' industries.Social implicationsThe authors suggest a transition agenda towards CE, using I4.0 technologies for operational, tactical and strategic personnel within organizations, as well as potential utilization strategies in specific study fields, like supply chain management and product manufacturing per se.Originality/valueThe study presents new paths and challenges amid technologies pertaining to I4.0 and its interfaces with the CE. In the result presentation and analysis, the existing interfaces are described.