Integrating additive manufacturing and sustainable supply chain: a review based on topic modeling and scientometric analysis

Purpose Additive manufacturing (AM) is gaining strategic importance for decentralized production, improving customer satisfaction by providing customized products. It affects the supply chain and brings sustainability to the entire business process. Considering diversified applications in various industries, this study aims to understand the benchmarked practices of AM in achieving sustainability in the supply chain operations and define a future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach The study has reviewed articles on AM and sustainable supply chains and conducted a review based on topic modeling and scientometric analysis of 172 articles. The ADO-TCM framework was also used for content analysis and constructive discussion on existing knowledge to identify benchmarked practices across industry and set the future research agenda. Findings The research has identified six key priority areas of AM, sustainability and supply chain: (1) Supply Chain and Business Design, (2) Technology and Economic Costs, (3) Sustainability in Production Processes, (4) Additive Manufacturing and Environmental Impact, (5) Manufacturing and Future Development and (6) Systems in Energy and Construction. The study listed the benchmarked practices, the maturity grid and the checklist for adopting AM. These are align with the four sustainability pillars: design, production, supply chain and business models, demonstrating how AM supports circularity, efficiency and innovation. Frequent keywords such as Industry 4.0, sustainability and circular economy highlight growing interest in leveraging technology for resilient, sustainable and future-ready business practices. Originality/value The paper is an early attempt to use topic modeling, the ADO-TCM framework, in reviewing current studies and developing a sustainable AM adoption framework, along with an implementation checklist and assessment with maturity level.