DRWO4.0 National Workshop - Ukraine

On October 4, 2024, at the Jam Factory Art Center in Lviv, NGO FORZA, in collaboration with the Lviv Furniture Cluster, hosted a seminar titled “DRWO4.0: Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy - Prospects for Furniture Companies” as part of the DRWO4.0 project.

During the seminar, participants were introduced to the project’s objectives, planned activities, and initial results, including insights from a self-assessment study on the woodworking industry’s readiness to transition to smart enterprises, aligned with the core elements of Industry 4.0.

Lesya Loyko from NGO FORZA highlighted that, among the 14 enterprises participating in the study, the average readiness score to begin transformation was 2.7 out of 5. Notably, the highest scores were in the Lean category (3/5). These findings underline the ongoing need for enterprises to enhance their digitalization and environmental practices.

The seminar also explored how Industry 4.0 principles and the circular economy could be integrated into furniture design and production. Radmila Ustych from NGO FORZA shared practical insights on implementing these principles, focusing on circular design strategies and providing specific implementation examples.

Orest Kyiko, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Professor, the Head of the Department of Furniture and Wood Products Technology at the Research Institute of Woodworking Technologies and Design, an associate partner of the DRWO4.0 project, offered his perspective on industry development. He also provided valuable advice for companies on initiating Industry 4.0 processes and reducing their environmental impact.

The DRWO4.0 project serves as a valuable platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among enterprises. The seminar, attended by 20 participants, featured active discussions on the challenges and solutions related to digitalization and circularity. The event fostered a productive partnership between furniture companies, the scientific community, the furniture cluster, and the NGO, aiming to integrate advanced digital technologies to boost enterprise efficiency and productivity.