Towards the Convergence of Mass Customization and Circular Economy in Manufacturing Systems
摘要
In a world where the demand for customization is growing exponentially and sustainability has become imperative, the integration of Mass Customization (MC) and Circular Economy (CE) represents a promising strategic alternative for the development of innovative business models. Mass Customization enables the efficient production of individualized goods, while the Circular Economy promotes regenerative production through practices such as reduce waste and optimize resource use. However, a trade-off exists between these two production strategies. On one hand, MC -often associated with improved efficiency, competitiveness, and customer satisfaction- poses challenges due to its intensive use of resources and the potential for increased waste. On the other hand, CE aims to maximize product life cycles through reuse, recycling, and waste reduction, but its implementation remains complex, especially in high-demand manufacturing environments. This study aims to explore the strategic intersection between MC and CE for the design of sustainable production systems. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 protocol to identify theoretical and practical overlaps. The analysis revealed six converging macro-areas: customers, market, value chain, product design, production processes, and communication. The findings suggest that personalization strategies can increase product lifespan and material efficiency, while circular practices—such as remanufacturing and resource recovery—can strengthen the resilience and sustainability of value chains. As a key contribution, the study proposes a conceptual model that highlights the convergences between MC and CE. The results indicate that integrating these approaches may support the development of competitive and sustainable manufacturing systems, contributing to the emergence of new, efficient, and responsible business models.