This paper introduces and opens the debate on the place of "product-driven control" and, on a broader level, Intelligent Manufacturing and Services Systems in sustainable development and circular economy. First, IMS concept and perspectives on future industrial and economic systems, as well as their expected advantages and the challenges to be addressed are introduced. Different sustainability interpretations are then described. Third, our vision on possible impacts of IMS on a sustainable world is presented. This paper concludes with a set of challenging prospects.