materiaaldaling

Materiaaldaling is a concept in materials science and economics describing a sustained decline in the use, demand, or availability of materials used in production. It encompasses reductions in virgin material input, shifts toward lighter or more durable designs, and changes in supply chains that lower the need for new material extraction. The term derives from Dutch, with 'materiaal' meaning material and 'daling' meaning decline; it appears in Dutch policy discourse and is discussed in related European literature as part of dematerialization or material efficiency.

Its core idea is dematerialization: economies can grow while using fewer material resources. Mechanisms include improved material efficiency (less material per unit output), product life extension, modular design, substitution of scarce or harmful materials, and higher recycling and reuse rates. In practice, materiaaldaling interacts with price signals, technological progress, and consumer behavior to shape material flows through industry and households.

Implications for industry include potential reductions in material price volatility and supply risk, but also a greater emphasis on collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure. For policymakers, it supports strategies that promote durability, repairability, and circular economy principles, while emphasizing monitoring of total material throughput rather than production alone.

Criticisms and limits note that apparent material declines may mask rising demand for specialized materials (such as rare earths) or shift environmental impacts to energy use or waste. The concept is also sensitive to measurement methods and can be difficult to quantify across sectors.

Related concepts include dematerialization, material efficiency, and the circular economy.