This policy brief, Industry 5.0: Towards a sustainable, human-centric and resilient European industry, sets out a new vision for the future of European industry. Building on the technological advances of Industry 4.0, it emphasizes that competitiveness must be coupled with purpose: improving worker well-being, operating within ecological limits, and reinforcing resilience against disruption. Industry 5.0 positions technology as a tool to serve people and the planet, calling for circular production models, renewable energy systems, and adaptable value chains. It highlights the role of research and innovation in enabling this shift, through human-robot collaboration, stress-aware work environments, and industrial symbiosis, and aligns these goals with broader EU strategies such as the European Green Deal and Europe Fit for the Digital Age. By centering human needs, sustainability, and resilience, the brief frames industry not only as an engine of economic growth but as an essential social-ecological infrastructure for Europe’s future.
