The dawn of Industry 4.0 has brought about unprecedented opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing sector. One of the significant challenges is the seamless integration of sustainability measures alongside rapid advancements in automation. This paper aims to provide an academic discourse on how sustainability and automation can be synergistically integrated to enhance manufacturing processes in the context of Industry 4.0. This paper presents a conceptual framework that aligns sustainable practices with automation technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Furthermore, this paper discusses this integration's barriers and ethical considerations. The findings suggest that thoughtful incorporation of both sustainability and automation boosts productivity and economic benefits and leads to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing. This paper is intended for academics and researchers interested in the future directions of sustainable manufacturing in the era of Industry 4.0.
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