A Review of Energy and Sustainability Management in the Fibre-Based Process Industry

This systematic literature review critically examines sustainability challenges and opportunities within fibre-based process industries (e.g., paper and nonwoven), pivotal energy-intensive sectors in the EU. Using an adapted PRISMA guideline, it analyses the evolution of sustainability concepts, key regulatory frameworks (e.g., European Green Deal, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), and established management tools (e.g., ISO 50001, life cycle assessment). The review uncovers critical gaps, including a persistent lack of integrated approaches across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, alongside superficial strategic embedding of sustainability. Furthermore, regulatory fragmentation significantly hinders effective implementation. The study also highlights uneven technology adoption and practical obstacles for circular economy models, largely because sustainability often remains a parallel function rather than a core business driver. Ultimately, transformative sustainability demands integrated, sector-specific strategies, robust data, and strong leadership. This necessitates streamlined regulations, accelerated technology uptake, and enhanced multi-stakeholder collaboration, embedding sustainability into core business models beyond mere compliance.