The application of BIM and digital twins in sustainable supply chain management: a systematic literature review

Abstract

The construction industry faces persistent challenges in achieving sustainable and circular supply chain management due to fragmented material flows, limited information continuity, and weak coordination among stakeholders. Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins offer complementary capabilities for addressing these challenges, yet their roles in sustainable and circular supply chains remain insufficiently integrated. This study critically reviews the literature on BIM and Digital Twins in Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) and the Circular Economy (CE) in construction. A structured literature review was conducted to identify major research trends, knowledge structures, thematic developments, implementation mechanisms, and research gaps. The analysis synthesizes the literature around key thematic areas, including material passports, reverse logistics (RL), off-site construction (OSC), artificial intelligence (AI), technology integration, construction and demolition waste (CDW), and decision-making. The findings indicate that BIM primarily supports structured lifecycle information, material traceability, and information continuity, while Digital Twins extend these capabilities through dynamic data integration, monitoring, and decision support. However, fragmented technological applications, interoperability limitations, insufficient data, organisational barriers, and limited integration across supply chain processes continue to constrain implementation. Based on these findings, a Digital–Circular Supply Chain Framework is proposed to conceptualize how BIM and Digital Twins can connect information, material flows, and decision-making to support SSCM and CE throughout the construction life cycle.