Industry 4.0 Technologies as Enablers of Industrial Symbiosis: Overcoming Barriers and Enhancing Drivers for Ecological Industrial Park Implementation

Abstract The linear production model is fundamentally incompatible with finite resources and limited ecosystem regeneration capacity, necessitating a systemic transition toward a Circular Economy (CE). Industrial Symbiosis (IS) and Ecological Industrial Parks (EIPs) represent key strategies for operationalizing CE principles, yet their widespread implementation faces significant barriers. Concurrently, Industry 4.0 technologies offer largely underexplored potential to facilitate this transition. This article investigates how Industry 4.0 technologies can influence IS and EIP implementation through qualitative field research at the Manaus Industrial Park (MIP), located in the Brazilian Amazon. The study involved semi-structured interviews with nine industrial managers and seven technology specialists, identifying 19 barriers and 14 drivers for IS across seven categories: economic, informational, cooperation, technical, regulatory, community, and commitment to sustainable development. Findings reveal that Industry 4.0 technologies influence varies significantly by category, with economic, technical, and informational factors most susceptible to technological intervention. A novel barrier, lack of institutional autonomy among local managers, was identified. While technologies such as Big Data, Blockchain, and IoT offer powerful tools for enhancing transparency, trust, and resource matching, they are not a panacea. Successful implementation requires a socio-technical approach integrating technological solutions with human skills development, collaborative business models, and supportive policy frameworks.