Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed industries and supply chains by integrating advanced operations, tools, and logistics services. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring data dependability, security, and operational efficiency. Digital twins (DTs), whi...

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Main Authors: Christos Roumeliotis, Minas Dasygenis, Vasilis Lazaridis, Michael Dossis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Designs
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/8/6/105
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author Christos Roumeliotis
Minas Dasygenis
Vasilis Lazaridis
Michael Dossis
author_facet Christos Roumeliotis
Minas Dasygenis
Vasilis Lazaridis
Michael Dossis
author_sort Christos Roumeliotis
collection DOAJ
description The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed industries and supply chains by integrating advanced operations, tools, and logistics services. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring data dependability, security, and operational efficiency. Digital twins (DTs), which replicate real-world components and processes, have emerged as essential tools for enhancing predictive analytics, simulation, and product lifecycle management in Industry 4.0. However, traditional DT development relies on centralized systems, which are vulnerable to data tampering and security breaches, especially in the management of transaction logs and historical data. To address these challenges, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of integrating blockchain with DTs. Using a qualitative research methodology, including desk research, case studies, and interviews with industry experts, we analyze various blockchain-based DT applications across industries and specifically in supply chain management. The findings reveal that blockchain-enhanced DTs can significantly improve data integrity, traceability, and security, thus boosting operational efficiency and quality control in supply chains. Additionally, this study identifies key integration techniques and the role of blockchain in automating processes through smart contracts. This review provides insights into the practical implications of blockchain-based DTs, highlighting their potential to enhance the reliability and scalability of Industry 4.0 operations.
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spelling doaj-art-364bb9079bbe45ee9f337e78400626432025-08-20T02:55:56ZengMDPI AGDesigns2411-96602024-10-018610510.3390/designs8060105Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and ApplicationsChristos Roumeliotis0Minas Dasygenis1Vasilis Lazaridis2Michael Dossis3Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR50 100 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR50 100 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, GR50 100 Kozani, GreeceDepartment of Informatics, University of Western Macedonia, GR52 100 Kastoria, GreeceThe Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed industries and supply chains by integrating advanced operations, tools, and logistics services. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring data dependability, security, and operational efficiency. Digital twins (DTs), which replicate real-world components and processes, have emerged as essential tools for enhancing predictive analytics, simulation, and product lifecycle management in Industry 4.0. However, traditional DT development relies on centralized systems, which are vulnerable to data tampering and security breaches, especially in the management of transaction logs and historical data. To address these challenges, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of integrating blockchain with DTs. Using a qualitative research methodology, including desk research, case studies, and interviews with industry experts, we analyze various blockchain-based DT applications across industries and specifically in supply chain management. The findings reveal that blockchain-enhanced DTs can significantly improve data integrity, traceability, and security, thus boosting operational efficiency and quality control in supply chains. Additionally, this study identifies key integration techniques and the role of blockchain in automating processes through smart contracts. This review provides insights into the practical implications of blockchain-based DTs, highlighting their potential to enhance the reliability and scalability of Industry 4.0 operations.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/8/6/105digital twinsblockchainindustry 4.0supply chainvalue chain
spellingShingle Christos Roumeliotis
Minas Dasygenis
Vasilis Lazaridis
Michael Dossis
Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
Designs
digital twins
blockchain
industry 4.0
supply chain
value chain
title Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
title_full Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
title_fullStr Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
title_full_unstemmed Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
title_short Blockchain and Digital Twins in Smart Industry 4.0: The Use Case of Supply Chain-A Review of Integration Techniques and Applications
title_sort blockchain and digital twins in smart industry 4 0 the use case of supply chain a review of integration techniques and applications
topic digital twins
blockchain
industry 4.0
supply chain
value chain
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-9660/8/6/105
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AT vasilislazaridis blockchainanddigitaltwinsinsmartindustry40theusecaseofsupplychainareviewofintegrationtechniquesandapplications
AT michaeldossis blockchainanddigitaltwinsinsmartindustry40theusecaseofsupplychainareviewofintegrationtechniquesandapplications