Technology integration to promote circular economy transformation of the garment industry: a systematic literature review

Abstract This study was prompted by the unsustainable issues facing the garment industry and the trend toward digitalisation in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era. COVID-19 substantially affected global trade, which caused significant garment industry stagnation due to embargoes and international restrictions. Consequently, the stagnation led to a significant inventory backlog and hindered product distribution, which compelled garment companies to turn to online commerce. A circular economy (CE) attempts to halt commodity flow and convert waste into resources; therefore, it can alleviate the substantial garment industry pollution and waste produced under a linear economy and maximise product life cycles. Industrial Revolution 4.0 incorporates technological innovation and information technology to transform the garment industry, which technologically enhances manufacturing intelligence and inspires garment industry transformation into a CE. This systematic literature review discusses the necessity of transforming the garment industry into a CE and the technological advantages and challenges to promoting sustainable garment industry development. The findings demonstrated that transforming the garment industry into a CE can not only resolve its environmental pollution and excess supply issues but can also accommodate new supply and demand requirements, such as market digitisation, consumer personalisation, and industry chain transparency. Finally, a technology integration initiative was proposed to promote garment industry transformation into a CE by digitising product development to achieve sustainable development.