Literature Review of Industry 4.0 Technologies for Water Optimization in Steel Plants

This article presents a systematic literature review on the application of Industry 4.0 technologies in water optimization within the steel industry. Using the PRISMA protocol, 50 articles selected from international scientific databases, published between 2018 and 2026 were analyzed. Bibliometric analysis identified global trends, while qualitative analysis examined the core of studies centered on water management. It is demonstrated that the integration of enabling technologies such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems, among others, enables real-time monitoring and failure prediction. The analyzed studies demonstrate a significant reduction in water withdrawal, effluent mitigation, and measurable economic gains. The literature points to gaps regarding implementation costs, the need for technical training, and the scarcity of empirical data in developing countries. It is concluded that digitalization is strategic for steel industry sustainability, recommending future studies on its convergence with Industry 5.0.