International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

In the days of industrial development towards low-carbon production and the establishment of a circular economy, special attention should be paid to the implementation of green policies in real practices and training of all personnel of enterprises. The presented study examines the “green” models of labor organization in the context of the transition to a low-carbon economy. Training of personnel in the ideas of an environmentally friendly economy becomes a good practice for achieving the commitments made by companies to improve energy efficiency and optimize resources. Thus, the policies of senior management are implemented in all working units of enterprises and give a common course for companies to achieve the set goals towards low-carbon production. Training has always been and will be the main means of achieving given goals, ideologies and tasks. Training also equalizes all employees, regardless of their hierarchical position in the system, to fulfill the same requirements.

The present study examines autonomous factories as a contemporary manifestation of digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. Unlike traditional automation, autonomous systems demonstrate cognitive capabilities through the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber-physical systems. The technological architecture includes the Internet of Things, digital twins, advanced robotics, and blockchain technologies, functioning in synergy. The implementation process follows a phased evolution through five maturity levels. The analysis reveals multiple challenges – technical, financial, ethical, and regulatory. Empirical data shows that the primary difficulties stem from psychological resistance and organizational adaptation, rather than from technological limitations. The research examines the economic effects, changes in employment structure, and the social dimensions of the transformation. In conclusion, the necessity for a balanced approach is emphasized, integrating technological capabilities with human needs in the context of Industry 5.0 philosophy.

Industry 4.0 has established itself as an era of digital transformation, automation, and intelligent technologies that integrate machine systems, data, and processes into a unified architecture. Its core strength is rooted in efficiency, speed, and systematic optimization. However, the pursuit of maximum productivity often displaces anthropometric factors – ethical values, sustainable development, and the social dimensions of technological progress. This is precisely where the philosophy of Industry 5.0 is positioned, building upon the previous paradigm by placing humans at the center of transformational processes. If Industry 4.0 represents the era of machine dominance, then Industry 5.0 introduces the era of symbiosis between human and technological capabilities. The change goes beyond theoretical frameworks and generates measurable results. When people are perceived as partners rather than victims of technological progress, innovations become bolder, products more personalized, and business models more sustainable. Industry 5.0 does not reject digitalization but humanizes it by integrating values such as sustainable development, social responsibility, and balance between technological innovation and human creativity.

In today’s global industrial environment, the need for sustainable, efficient, and energy-saving solutions for energy supply is more significant than ever and every enterprise that has adopted the policy of a green and low-carbon economy must seek such solutions. Enterprises must analyze their largest energy consumers and look for alternative options for generating and using “green energy”. Photovoltaic systems are among the most common solutions, but their dependence on weather conditions requires integration with energy storage systems. This report presents a model and analysis of an integrated hybrid photovoltaic system with battery storage, designed to provide electricity for energy-intensive production processes under the conditions of the Bulgarian climate and electricity market.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the emissions of greenhouse gases in Bulgaria. The main sectors contributing to greenhouse gas emissions are identified and analyzed. A comparison of net greenhouse gas emissions in the country with the EU average is made and the contribution of the different sectors is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry sector. Recommendations are formulated for measures for sustainable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Bulgaria in the context of achieving the country’s goals by 2030 for net greenhouse gas removals in this sector.

Energy efficiency is an important part of the EU’s ambition to transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. Greater energy efficiency will be needed in the future if the EU is to achieve this goal. All sectors of the economy have the potential to contribute to energy efficiency. Consistent energy management helps organisations realise untapped energy efficiency potential. In this way, they will benefit from cost savings and make a significant contribution to protecting the environment and climate by reducing harmful emissions and carbon footprints. This study aims to analyse the potential opportunities for businesses to realise savings, gain competitive advantages and achieve sustainable development and a positive image.

Globalization in the modern world covers all areas of life, economy and modern technology, politics and culture. The rapid development of information and communication technologies makes it possible to provide competitive advantages to business organizations. In recent decades, information systems have led to a dramatic increase in the productivity of large and small businesses. This enables an accelerated transition to climate neutrality and digital transformation of the economy, society and industry and requires new technologies, investments and innovations to ensure the sustainable development and competitiveness of every business and a resource-efficient and competitive economy as a whole. The integration of digital technologies in production processes plays an increasingly important role in shaping the competitiveness of enterprises and their sustainable development in the modern world.

The transformation of industrial enterprises to a circular economy in the conditions of Industry 4.0 is a key step towards sustainable development and reducing the carbon footprint on the nature. The main objective of the circular economy is to reduce the waste and utilize resources as efficiently as possible by reusing, recycling and extending the life cycle of products. This transformation requires changes to both the production processes and the business models of enterprises. The transition of industrial enterprises to a circular business model will have a beneficial effect on the environment, increase their financial results and improve their competitiveness. The circular business model requires a rethinking of internal processes, products and strategies. This research aims to analyse the opportunities of industrial enterprises to rethink their product strategies, optimize resources, effectively manage waste and promote a circular organizational culture.

Digital transformation and sustainable development are key concepts that are actively developing in modern business and society. They go hand in hand, creating opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce the negative impact on the environment and increase people’s quality of life. The Industrial Internet of Things is a powerful tool for connecting industrial devices, sensors, and equipment to a network to improve monitoring, analysis, and process automation. With the increasing digitization of business in recent years, cyber-attacks are also on the rise. To protect against such actions, organizations need cybersecurity technology solutions, as well as reliable tools to detect, prevent, and respond to cybersecurity breaches. This publication presents an exploration of the combination and interconnectedness of IIoT and cybersecurity in industrial enterprises, which are necessary to keep these systems secure and protected from cyber threats. A conceptual framework for multi-layered cyberattack defense designed for industrial enterprises is proposed.

This publication analyses the process of transforming the online economy into a circular one. The focus of the analysis is on the progress of the European Union member states in reducing waste. Member States’ progress towards a circular economy is slow. The circular business model should not be seen as wishful thinking, because it will be crucial for companies in the future. The circular economy is at the heart of the European Green Deal and plays a key role in decarbonisation and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and in the fight against pollution. Circular economy means smarter use of resources. The circular economy is built using sustainable economic models based on innovation and technology to allow the repeated use of the same resources. Achieving a zero carbon footprint on the natural environment by 2050. is the top priority. This would only be possible if the world moves towards a circular economy, and this is one of the highlights of the Green Deal, while also aiming to increase the competitiveness of the economy.

Based on a comprehensive scientific overview of the concepts of reengineering and the studied good world practices and experience, a not very popular, but carrying great potential for a successful reengineering approach, known as the Zero approach, arouses interest. This comprehensive approach to cost optimization is so important for companies to be able to respond to industry changes and market shocks. The Zero approach can be adapted and used on a wider scale to help companies make structural changes that dramatically reduce costs and improve productivity. This publication presents a concept project for the experimental application of a modified version of the Zero approach, which can be embedded in a broader Zero-Based Redesign (ZBR) concept, and become a practical way for companies to radically reform and restructure their costs as fundamentally redesigning the way processes are carried out. This enables companies to design the ideal state of their key processes that will support the strategy, as well as how they can be executed in the most effective and efficient manner. ZBR helps companies streamline and accelerate processes using a combination of tactics: eliminating the unnecessary, looking for solutions beyond the industry, automating and digitizing activities and data, and reorganizing people and strengthening their abilities and qualifications.