How Sustainable is Additive Manufacturing? An Overview of Systematic Literature Reviews from 2016 to 2025

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the evolution of sustainability research in Additive Manufacturing (AM) by providing an overview of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) published between 2016 and early 2025. Nine SLRs were selected following the screening and filtering of 204 records identified through a structured search of the Scopus database. The following criteria were used to analyze and compare these articles: (i) their scope, (ii) data sources of literature considered, (iii) sustainability dimensions covered, and (iv) the main findings and key conclusions (e.g., significant patterns, recurrent themes, methodological advancements). The study highlights that AM is widely recognized as a transformative technology capable of fostering more sustainable, localized, and resilient production systems. However, realizing its full sustainability potential requires further research, methodological standardization, integration of lifecycle thinking, digitalization, and greater attention to social dimensions. Although AM demonstrates clear economic advantages, the social pillar of sustainability remains underexplored, with limited research addressing concerns such as occupational health risks and the demand for skilled labor in emerging economies. Both established and new AM technologies should be investigated in future studies, with a focus on promoting sustainable manufacturing using a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach.