Abstract Digital technologies are shown to perform a potential role in developing a resource efficient industrial base. The effective adoption of them can help to deliver reduced costs and improve the flexibility and sustainability of manufacturing systems. However, these positive benefits are far from guaranteed and the way in which digital technologies favor the transition towards sustainable manufacturing systems has not been analyzed in detail yet, so more conceptual and empirical investigations are required in this field. This paper develops a conceptual framework, which explains the potential significance of using digital technologies toward efficiency, resilience and sustainability. It also includes evidence from various case studies, which illustrate the core technologies which can potentiality contribute to a sustainable industrial future. The findings show some impressive results concerning the sustainable implications of the digitalization of manufacturing processes. If the predicted benefits can be achieved through digital technologies, they could massively impact on sustainability
