Sustainability 2025 , 17 , 770
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recognition of digitalisation as a key enabler for achieving sustainability and long-term com- petitiveness. This study situates itself within this evolving landscape to assess the current state of digital maturity and identify pathways for overcoming barriers to transformation. The paper industry, like many other sectors, faces the dual challenge and opportunity arising from digitalisation. As technology rapidly advances and demands for efficiency and sustainability increase, digital transformation becomes crucial for maintaining com- petitiveness. Digitalisation encompasses the integration of digital technologies into vari- ous aspects of business operations, from production processes to data management and customer interactions. Digital transformation in manufacturing industries has accelerated globally, driven by increasing sustainability goals, technological advancements, and competitive pressures. Industries such as automotive and electronics have led the way, showcasing benefits like improved efficiency and predictive capabilities. In contrast, the paper industry has faced unique challenges, including legacy systems, conservative practices, and fragmented digitalisation efforts. This study addresses these challenges by investigating the digital maturity of the paper industry, identifying barriers to transformation, and providing actionable insights. Through a targeted survey conducted at the ZELLCHEMING Expo 2024 by the Association of the Pulp and Paper Chemists and Engineers (Verein ZELLCHEMING e.V.)’s technical committee DATA [1], the study highlights the discrepancies between self-assessed and actual digital maturity, offering a roadmap for improvement. By situating the paper indus- try’s progress within broader manufacturing trends, this study contributes to advancing digital capabilities for sustainability and long-term competitiveness. Through a detailed analysis of the survey data, including extracting meta-information and reading between the lines, this study seeks to uncover patterns and insights that might not be immediately apparent. For instance, it examines trends such as bigger companies being more digitally advanced than smaller ones [2] and individuals rating their own companies’ digitalisation levels higher than those of the industry [3]. Furthermore, this paper compares the findings from the paper industry with the digitalisation trends in other sectors, providing a broader context and identifying best practices that could be adopted. The goal is not only to present the current digital landscape of the paper industry but also offer practical recommendations for advancing digital maturity, including a brief overview of a digitalisation roadmap and the integration of the VDI Industrie 4.0 guidelines [4]. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on digital transformation in the paper industry, offering valuable insights and actionable strategies for stakehold- ers, which aim to enhance their digital capabilities and achieve long-term sustainability and efficiency.
2. Brief Literature Review 2.1. Frameworks for Digital Transformation
Digital transformation frameworks provide structured approaches to evaluate and guide companies’ digital maturity. The Industrie 4.0 Maturity Index is one such framework, which defines progressive stages of transformation ranging from basic computerisation to autonomous systems. The VDI 4000 guideline further complements this by offering actionable steps for implementing digital technologies in manufacturing environments. These frameworks serve as critical tools for industries, including the paper sector, to benchmark and advance their digital maturity.
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