Anyagáramláselemzés

Anyagáramláselemzés, often translated as material flow analysis (MFA), is a systematic method for quantifying the flows and stocks of materials within a defined system over a specific period. This system can range from a single industrial process to an entire urban area, a region, or even a country. The primary goal of MFA is to understand how materials are extracted, processed, used, and ultimately disposed of or recycled.

The methodology involves identifying all relevant inputs and outputs of materials for the chosen system. This includes tracking raw material extraction, imports, manufacturing inputs, product use, waste generation, exports, and final disposal pathways such as landfilling or incineration, as well as recycling and reuse loops. By accounting for these flows, MFA creates a comprehensive picture of the material cycle.

Key outputs of an MFA include the quantification of material stocks (e.g., materials accumulated in infrastructure or products) and material flows (e.g., annual quantities of a specific metal entering or leaving a region). This data is crucial for identifying resource inefficiencies, tracking pollution pathways, and informing policy decisions related to resource management, circular economy initiatives, and environmental protection.

MFA is a valuable tool for sustainability assessment, helping to identify critical points for intervention to reduce environmental impact and promote more sustainable resource consumption patterns. It provides a quantitative basis for understanding the material metabolism of societies and economies.