ABSTRACT
Material flow analysis (MFA) refers to the analysis of the throughput of process chains comprising extraction or harvest, chemical transformation, manufacturing, consumption, recycling and disposal of materials. It is based on accounts in physical units quantifying the inputs and outputs of those processes. In general MFA provides a system-analytical view of various interlinked processes and flows to support the strategic and priority-oriented design of management measures. There is no general consensus on a methodological framework for materials accounting and flow analysis, the procedure and some elements of the studies have essential features in common. MFA-based indicators have been introduced in official reports to provide an overview on the headline issues of resource use, waste disposal and emissions to air and water as well as eco-efficiency. Economy-wide material flow accounts provide a more comprehensive picture of the industrial metabolism than single indicators.
