IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/inecol/v27y2023i2p436-456.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: From industry shipments in physical units to monetary input–output tables, Part 1

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Streeck
  • Stefan Pauliuk
  • Hanspeter Wieland
  • Dominik Wiedenhofer

Abstract

Dynamic material flow analysis (dMFA) is widely used to model stock‐flow dynamics. To appropriately represent material lifetimes, recycling potentials, and service provision, dMFA requires data about the allocation of economy‐wide material consumption to different end‐use products or sectors, that is, the different product stocks, in which material consumption accumulates. Previous estimates of this allocation only cover few years, countries, and product groups. Recently, several new methods for estimating end‐use product allocation in dMFA were proposed, which so far lack systematic comparison. We review and systematize five methods for tracing material consumption into end‐use products in inflow‐driven dMFA and discuss their strengths and limitations. Widely used data on industry shipments in physical units have low spatio‐temporal coverage, which limits their applicability across countries and years. Monetary input–output tables (MIOTs) are widely available and their economy‐wide coverage makes them a valuable source to approximate material end‐uses. We find four distinct MIOT‐based methods: consumption‐based, waste input–output MFA (WIO‐MFA), Ghosh absorbing Markov chain, and partial Ghosh. We show that when applied to a given MIOT, the methods’ underlying input–output models yield the same results, with the exception of the partial Ghosh method, which involves simplifications. For practical applications, the MIOT system boundary must be aligned to those of dMFA, which involves the removal of service flows, sector (dis)aggregation, and re‐defining specific intermediate outputs as final demand. Theoretically, WIO‐MFA, applied to a modified MIOT, produces the most accurate results as it excludes massless and waste transactions. In part 2 of this work, we compare methods empirically and suggest improvements for aligning MIOT‐dMFA system boundaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Streeck & Stefan Pauliuk & Hanspeter Wieland & Dominik Wiedenhofer, 2023. "A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: From industry shipments in physical units to monetary input–output tables, Part 1," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 436-456, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:27:y:2023:i:2:p:436-456
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13380
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13380
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jiec.13380?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ryosuke Yokoi & Jun Nakatani & Yuichi Moriguchi, 2018. "An Extended Model for Tracking Accumulation Pathways of Materials Using Input–Output Tables: Application to Copper Flows in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Miatto, Alessio & Schandl, Heinz & Tanikawa, Hiroki, 2017. "How important are realistic building lifespan assumptions for material stock and demolition waste accounts?," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 143-154.
    3. Erik Dietzenbacher & Bob van Burken & Yasushi Kondo, 2019. "Hypothetical extractions from a global perspective," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(4), pages 505-519, October.
    4. Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Fishman, Tomer & Lauk, Christian & Haas, Willi & Krausmann, Fridolin, 2019. "Integrating Material Stock Dynamics Into Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting: Concepts, Modelling, and Global Application for 1900–2050," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 121-133.
    5. Mary O'Mahony & Marcel P. Timmer, 2009. "Output, Input and Productivity Measures at the Industry Level: The EU KLEMS Database," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 119(538), pages 374-403, June.
    6. Milford, Rachel L. & Allwood, Julian M. & Cullen, Jonathan M., 2011. "Assessing the potential of yield improvements, through process scrap reduction, for energy and CO2 abatement in the steel and aluminium sectors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(12), pages 1185-1195.
    7. Spatari, S. & Bertram, M. & Gordon, Robert B. & Henderson, K. & Graedel, T.E., 2005. "Twentieth century copper stocks and flows in North America: A dynamic analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 37-51, July.
    8. Maaike Bouwmeester & Jan Oosterhaven, 2013. "Specification and Aggregation Errors in Environmentally Extended Input–Output Models," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 56(3), pages 307-335, November.
    9. Stefano Merciai & Jannick Schmidt, 2018. "Methodology for the Construction of Global Multi†Regional Hybrid Supply and Use Tables for the EXIOBASE v3 Database," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(3), pages 516-531, June.
    10. Wiedmann, Thomas & Minx, Jan & Barrett, John & Wackernagel, Mathis, 2006. "Allocating ecological footprints to final consumption categories with input-output analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 28-48, January.
    11. Arnold Tukker & Arjan de Koning & Anne Owen & Stephan Lutter & Martin Bruckner & Stefan Giljum & Konstantin Stadler & Richard Wood & Rutger Hoekstra, 2018. "Towards Robust, Authoritative Assessments of Environmental Impacts Embodied in Trade: Current State and Recommendations," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(3), pages 585-598, June.
    12. Haberl, Helmut & Schmid, Martin & Haas, Willi & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Rau, Henrike & Winiwarter, Verena, 2021. "Stocks, flows, services and practices: Nexus approaches to sustainable social metabolism," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    13. Hanspeter Wieland & Stefan Giljum & Martin Bruckner & Anne Owen & Richard Wood, 2018. "Structural production layer decomposition: a new method to measure differences between MRIO databases for footprint assessments," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(1), pages 61-84, January.
    14. Bullard, Clark W. & Herendeen, Robert A., 1975. "The energy cost of goods and services," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 268-278, December.
    15. Stefan Pauliuk & Niko Heeren & Mohammad Mahadi Hasan & Daniel B. Müller, 2019. "A general data model for socioeconomic metabolism and its implementation in an industrial ecology data commons prototype," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(5), pages 1016-1027, October.
    16. Pauliuk, Stefan & Hertwich, Edgar G., 2015. "Socioeconomic metabolism as paradigm for studying the biophysical basis of human societies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 83-93.
    17. Schiller, Georg & Müller, Felix & Ortlepp, Regine, 2017. "Mapping the anthropogenic stock in Germany: Metabolic evidence for a circular economy," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 93-107.
    18. Faye Duchin & Stephen H. Levine, 2010. "Embodied Resource Flows and Product Flows," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 14(4), pages 586-597, August.
    19. Hanspeter Wieland & Manfred Lenzen & Arne Geschke & Jacob Fry & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Nina Eisenmenger & Johannes Schenk & Stefan Giljum, 2022. "The PIOLab: Building global physical input–output tables in a virtual laboratory," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 683-703, June.
    20. Pauliuk, Stefan & Wang, Tao & Müller, Daniel B., 2013. "Steel all over the world: Estimating in-use stocks of iron for 200 countries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 22-30.
    21. Alexandre Tisserant & Stefan Pauliuk & Stefano Merciai & Jannick Schmidt & Jacob Fry & Richard Wood & Arnold Tukker, 2017. "Solid Waste and the Circular Economy: A Global Analysis of Waste Treatment and Waste Footprints," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 628-640, June.
    22. Owen, Anne & Brockway, Paul & Brand-Correa, Lina & Bunse, Lukas & Sakai, Marco & Barrett, John, 2017. "Energy consumption-based accounts: A comparison of results using different energy extension vectors," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 464-473.
    23. Luis Gabriel Carmona & Kai Whiting & Angeles Carrasco & Tânia Sousa & Tiago Domingos, 2017. "Material Services with Both Eyes Wide Open," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-23, August.
    24. Faye Duchin & Stephen H. Levine, 2013. "Embodied Resource Flows in a Global Economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 17(1), pages 65-78, February.
    25. Satoshi Inomata & Anne Owen, 2014. "Comparative Evaluation Of Mrio Databases," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(3), pages 239-244, September.
    26. Helmut Haberl & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Stefan Pauliuk & Fridolin Krausmann & Daniel B. Müller & Marina Fischer-Kowalski, 2019. "Contributions of sociometabolic research to sustainability science," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(3), pages 173-184, March.
    27. Gabriela Jarrín Jácome & María Fernanda Godoy León & Rodrigo A. F. Alvarenga & Jo Dewulf, 2021. "Tracking the Fate of Aluminium in the EU Using the MaTrace Model," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, July.
    28. United Nations, 2014. "System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 23959.
    29. Ohno, Hajime & Matsubae, Kazuyo & Nakajima, Kenichi & Kondo, Yasushi & Nakamura, Shinichiro & Nagasaka, Tetsuya, 2015. "Toward the efficient recycling of alloying elements from end of life vehicle steel scrap," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 11-20.
    30. Anders Hammer Strømman & Faye Duchin, 2006. "A world trade model with bilateral trade based on comparative advantage," Economic Systems Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(3), pages 281-297.
    31. Stefanie Klose & Stefan Pauliuk, 2021. "Quantifying longevity and circularity of copper for different resource efficiency policies at the material and product levels," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(4), pages 979-993, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jan Streeck & Hanspeter Wieland & Stefan Pauliuk & Barbara Plank & Kenichi Nakajima & Dominik Wiedenhofer, 2023. "A review of methods to trace material flows into final products in dynamic material flow analysis: Comparative application of six methods to the United States and EXIOBASE3 regions, Part 2," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 457-475, April.
    2. Hanspeter Wieland & Manfred Lenzen & Arne Geschke & Jacob Fry & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Nina Eisenmenger & Johannes Schenk & Stefan Giljum, 2022. "The PIOLab: Building global physical input–output tables in a virtual laboratory," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 683-703, June.
    3. Hanspeter Wieland & Stefan Giljum & Nina Eisenmenger & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Martin Bruckner & Anke Schaffartzik & Anne Owen, 2020. "Supply versus use designs of environmental extensions in input–output analysis: Conceptual and empirical implications for the case of energy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 548-563, June.
    4. Virág, Doris & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Baumgart, André & Matej, Sarah & Krausmann, Fridolin & Min, Jihoon & Rao, Narasimha D. & Haberl, Helmut, 2022. "How much infrastructure is required to support decent mobility for all? An exploratory assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    5. Franz Schug & David Frantz & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Helmut Haberl & Doris Virág & Sebastian van der Linden & Patrick Hostert, 2023. "High‐resolution mapping of 33 years of material stock and population growth in Germany using Earth Observation data," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 110-124, February.
    6. Glenn A. Aguilar-Hernandez & Carlos Pablo Sigüenza-Sanchez & Franco Donati & João F. D. Rodrigues & Arnold Tukker, 2018. "Assessing circularity interventions: a review of EEIOA-based studies," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 7(1), pages 1-24, December.
    7. Pauliuk, Stefan & Kondo, Yasushi & Nakamura, Shinichiro & Nakajima, Kenichi, 2017. "Regional distribution and losses of end-of-life steel throughout multiple product life cycles—Insights from the global multiregional MaTrace model," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 84-93.
    8. Haberl, Helmut & Schmid, Martin & Haas, Willi & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Rau, Henrike & Winiwarter, Verena, 2021. "Stocks, flows, services and practices: Nexus approaches to sustainable social metabolism," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    9. Edgar Battand Towa Kouokam & Vanessa Zeller & Wouter Achten, 2019. "Input-output models and waste management analysis: A critical review," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/359535, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    10. Wu, X.D. & Guo, J.L. & Ji, Xi & Chen, G.Q., 2019. "Energy use in world economy from household-consumption-based perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 287-298.
    11. Heun, Matthew Kuperus & Owen, Anne & Brockway, Paul E., 2018. "A physical supply-use table framework for energy analysis on the energy conversion chain," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 1134-1162.
    12. Plank, Christina & Liehr, Stefan & Hummel, Diana & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Haberl, Helmut & Görg, Christoph, 2021. "Doing more with less: Provisioning systems and the transformation of the stock-flow-service nexus," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    13. Whiting, Kai & Carmona, Luis Gabriel & Brand-Correa, Lina & Simpson, Edward, 2020. "Illumination as a material service: A comparison between Ancient Rome and early 19th century London," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    14. Dorninger, Christian & Hornborg, Alf & Abson, David J. & von Wehrden, Henrik & Schaffartzik, Anke & Giljum, Stefan & Engler, John-Oliver & Feller, Robert L. & Hubacek, Klaus & Wieland, Hanspeter, 2021. "Global patterns of ecologically unequal exchange: Implications for sustainability in the 21st century," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    15. Anke Schaffartzik & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Nina Eisenmenger, 2015. "Raw Material Equivalents: The Challenges of Accounting for Sustainability in a Globalized World," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-26, April.
    16. Glenn A. Aguilar‐Hernandez & Sebastiaan Deetman & Stefano Merciai & João F. D. Rodrigues & Arnold Tukker, 2021. "Global distribution of material inflows to in‐use stocks in 2011 and its implications for a circularity transition," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1447-1461, December.
    17. Eisenmenger, Nina & Wiedenhofer, Dominik & Schaffartzik, Anke & Giljum, Stefan & Bruckner, Martin & Schandl, Heinz & Wiedmann, Thomas O. & Lenzen, Manfred & Tukker, Arnold & Koning, Arjan, 2016. "Consumption-based material flow indicators — Comparing six ways of calculating the Austrian raw material consumption providing six results," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 177-186.
    18. Simon Schulte & Arthur Jakobs & Stefan Pauliuk, 2021. "Relaxing the import proportionality assumption in multi-regional input–output modelling," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 10(1), pages 1-21, December.
    19. Li, Yilin & Chen, Bin & Li, Chaohui & Li, Zhi & Chen, Guoqian, 2020. "Energy perspective of Sino-US trade imbalance in global supply chains," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    20. Piñero, Pablo & Heikkinen, Mari & Mäenpää, Ilmo & Pongrácz, Eva, 2015. "Sector aggregation bias in environmentally extended input output modeling of raw material flows in Finland," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 217-229.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:27:y:2023:i:2:p:436-456. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1088-1980 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.