Materialstrømsanalyse

Materialstrømsanalyse, often abbreviated as MFA, is a methodological approach used to quantify the flows and stocks of materials within a defined system over a specific period. This system can be anything from a single household to a city, a region, a nation, or even the entire globe. The core purpose of MFA is to understand how materials are extracted, processed, used, and ultimately disposed of, providing insights into resource efficiency, environmental impacts, and economic activity.

The analysis typically involves tracking specific material groups, such as metals, minerals, fossil fuels, or biomass. It accounts for all inputs and outputs of these materials, creating a balance that reveals where materials are accumulating (stocks) and where they are moving (flows). This can highlight inefficiencies in production processes, identify opportunities for recycling and reuse, and help in assessing the sustainability of material consumption patterns.

MFA is a crucial tool for policymakers, researchers, and businesses seeking to implement circular economy principles and move towards more sustainable resource management. By providing a quantitative basis for understanding material cycles, it supports the development of strategies to reduce waste, conserve resources, and mitigate environmental degradation. The results of an MFA can inform decisions on product design, waste management infrastructure, and industrial policy.