Dynamic life cycle quantification of metallic elements and their circularity, efficiency, and leakages

摘要: Abstract The global consumption of metals is tremendously high and growing, a problem that calls for immediate action. This paper presents comprehensive investigation on the anthropogenic use 55 metallic elements in two main parts: life cycle quantification assessment. Firstly, dynamic model constructed to quantify annual flows, losses, stocks during their technical periods, mainly from 1900 2013. results show demand has increased 224 Mt/yr 1953 1543 Mt/yr Meanwhile, emerging applications have created tremendous 32 rarely used prior 1980s. Furthermore, in-use stock all metals, except Hg, been increasing. further reveal many diverse patterns per capita trends these (i.e. increasing (27 elements), saturating (25 elements) decreasing (2 elements)). Based material flow results, this study confirms are an extremely inefficient manner. was found by studying three indicators (total resource efficiency, circularity, total losses) which exist level. not only helps highlight necessity closing loop, but also urges more attention be paid leakages along metal due significant losses (e.g. every unit use, around 4 units lost average). at each stage assessed metal. needs efficient metal-specific solutions manufacturing industry needed.