Industry 5.0: How manufacturing should evolve in modern times

Manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation. As global industries strive to balance sustainability with digitalisation, the concept of Industry 5.0 emerges as a vision that goes beyond efficiency and productivity, placing human values, resilience, and environmental responsibility at the centre of industrial progress.

This workshop, organised within the framework of the EU.FFICIENT Project, offers a forward-looking discussion on how manufacturing can evolve to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world. By integrating technological innovation with ecological awareness and social responsibility, Industry 5.0 redefines what it means to create value in modern times.

Participants will explore the key dimensions of the twin transition – sustainability and digitalisation – and how these forces can be aligned to foster smarter, circular, and more inclusive production systems. The session combines theoretical insights with practical examples, showing how new industrial models can empower workers, support regional ecosystems, and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

At the heart of the workshop is the idea that the future of manufacturing depends not only on automation, but also on collaboration, creativity, and connection between people, technology, and the planet. The event aims to stimulate dialogue among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers, encouraging cross-sectoral learning and co-creation.

The workshop is led by Sergio Terzi, Full Professor of Industrial Technologies at Politecnico di Milano, whose research focuses on Advanced and Smart Manufacturing, with particular attention to digital technologies and sustainability.

The event is held in English and takes place online. Free registration is required.