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.