IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v76y2022ics0301420722000873.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessing samarium resource efficiency in China: A dynamic material flow analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Ge, Zewen
  • Geng, Yong
  • Wei, Wendong
  • Zhong, Chen

Abstract

Samarium is one rare earth element that plays a vital role in the emerging high-tech sectors. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate this element. This study aims to investigate samarium flows and stocks in China for the period of 2011–2020 through dynamic material flow analysis. Also, a linear programming method is employed to predict future samarium demand and supply until 2035. The results show that the annual demand for samarium significantly increased from 162 tons in 2011 to 726 tons in 2020, while its supply remained stable with an annual amount of 600 tons. Due to this supply-demand imbalance, the total samarium surplus decreased to 1140 tons in 2020. Without any intervention policies, samarium resource will be depleted before 2025. From a trade perspective, China has exported more samarium resources to other countries due to its abundant reserves, which may influence its domestic supply. Finally, several policy recommendations are proposed to improve the overall samarium resource efficiency, including economic instruments, technological support, and the implementation of circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ge, Zewen & Geng, Yong & Wei, Wendong & Zhong, Chen, 2022. "Assessing samarium resource efficiency in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:76:y:2022:i:c:s0301420722000873
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102638
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420722000873
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2022.102638?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xianlai Zeng & Saleem H. Ali & Jinping Tian & Jinhui Li, 2020. "Mapping anthropogenic mineral generation in China and its implications for a circular economy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Xiao, Shijiang & Geng, Yong & Rui, Xue & Su, Chang & Yao, Tianli, 2022. "Behind of the criticality for rare earth elements: Surplus of China’s yttrium," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    3. Tomer Fishman & T. E. Graedel, 2019. "Impact of the establishment of US offshore wind power on neodymium flows," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(4), pages 332-338, April.
    4. Jason C. K. Lee & Zongguo Wen, 2018. "Pathways for greening the supply of rare earth elements in China," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(10), pages 598-605, October.
    5. Hao, Han & Liu, Zongwei & Zhao, Fuquan & Geng, Yong & Sarkis, Joseph, 2017. "Material flow analysis of lithium in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 100-106.
    6. Sang Mo Yang & Shinbuhm Lee & Jie Jian & Wenrui Zhang & Ping Lu & Quanxi Jia & Haiyan Wang & Tae Won Noh & Sergei V. Kalinin & Judith L. MacManus‐Driscoll, 2015. "Strongly enhanced oxygen ion transport through samarium-doped CeO2 nanopillars in nanocomposite films," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, December.
    7. Jingxuan Geng & Han Hao & Xin Sun & Dengye Xun & Zongwei Liu & Fuquan Zhao, 2021. "Static material flow analysis of neodymium in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(1), pages 114-124, February.
    8. Wang, Xibo & Wei, Wendong & Ge, Jianping & Wu, Bin & Bu, Wei & Li, Jiashuo & Yao, Mingtao & Guan, Qing, 2017. "Embodied rare earths flow between industrial sectors in China: A complex network approach," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 363-374.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jiang, Yihuo & Ni, Hongliang & Ni, Yihan & Guo, Xiaomei, 2023. "Assessing environmental, social, and governance performance and natural resource management policies in China's dual carbon era for a green economy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    2. Liu, Sijie & Geng, Yong & Gao, Ziyan & Li, Jinze & Xiao, Shijiang, 2023. "Uncovering the key features of gold flows and stocks in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    3. Gao, Cuixia & Xu, Yufei & Geng, Yong & Xiao, Shijiang, 2022. "Uncovering terbium metabolism in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    4. Zhao, Guimei & Geng, Yong & Wei, Wendong & Bleischwitz, Raimund & Ge, Zewen, 2023. "Assessing gadolinium resource efficiency and criticality in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    5. Zhu, Xiangyan & Geng, Yong & Gao, Ziyan & Tian, Xu & Xiao, Shijiang & Houssini, Khaoula, 2023. "Investigating zirconium flows and stocks in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    6. Song, Xiaoqian & Geng, Yong & Zhang, Yuquan & Zhang, Xi & Gao, Ziyan & Li, Minghang, 2022. "Dynamic potassium flows analysis in China for 2010–2019," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).

    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. Mei, Yueru & Geng, Yong & Xiao, Shijiang & Su, Chang & Gao, Ziyan & Wei, Wendong, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of rhenium in China for 2011–2020," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    2. Xiao, Shijiang & Geng, Yong & Rui, Xue & Gao, Ziyan & Su, Chang & Yao, Tianli & Zhong, Chen, 2024. "Anthropogenic cycles of praseodymium in China: 2000–2020," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Hu, Xueyue & Wang, Chunying & Elshkaki, Ayman, 2024. "Material-energy Nexus: A systematic literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    4. Song, Xiaoqian & Geng, Yong & Zhang, Yuquan & Zhang, Xi & Gao, Ziyan & Li, Minghang, 2022. "Dynamic potassium flows analysis in China for 2010–2019," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    5. Zhao, Guimei & Li, Wenxiu & Geng, Yong & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of antimony resources in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    6. Wang, Peng & Chen, Li-Yang & Ge, Jian-Ping & Cai, Wenjia & Chen, Wei-Qiang, 2019. "Incorporating critical material cycles into metal-energy nexus of China’s 2050 renewable transition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    7. Zhu, Xiangyan & Geng, Yong & Gao, Ziyan & Tian, Xu & Xiao, Shijiang & Houssini, Khaoula, 2023. "Investigating zirconium flows and stocks in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    8. Ren, Kaipeng & Tang, Xu & Wang, Peng & Willerström, Jakob & Höök, Mikael, 2021. "Bridging energy and metal sustainability: Insights from China’s wind power development up to 2050," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    9. Zhang, Haoran & Li, Ruixiong & Cai, Xingrui & Zheng, Chaoyue & Liu, Laibao & Liu, Maodian & Zhang, Qianru & Lin, Huiming & Chen, Long & Wang, Xuejun, 2022. "Do electricity flows hamper regional economic–environmental equity?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    10. Guo, Tianjiao & Geng, Yong & Song, Xiaoqian & Rui, Xue & Ge, Zewen, 2023. "Tracing magnesium flows in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    11. Xin Nie & Jianxian Wu & Han Wang & Weijuan Li & Chengdao Huang & Lihua Li, 2022. "Contributing to carbon peak: Estimating the causal impact of eco‐industrial parks on low‐carbon development in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1578-1593, August.
    12. Hache, Emmanuel & Seck, Gondia Sokhna & Simoen, Marine & Bonnet, Clément & Carcanague, Samuel, 2019. "Critical raw materials and transportation sector electrification: A detailed bottom-up analysis in world transport," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 6-25.
    13. Jan Streeck & Quirin Dammerer & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Fridolin Krausmann, 2021. "The role of socio‐economic material stocks for natural resource use in the United States of America from 1870 to 2100," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1486-1502, December.
    14. Aziman, Eli Syafiqah & Ismail, Aznan Fazli & Rahmat, Muhammad Abdullah, 2023. "Balancing economic growth and environmental protection: A sustainable approach to Malaysia's rare-earth industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    15. Jiang, Meihui & An, Haizhong & Guan, Qing & Sun, Xiaoqi, 2018. "Global embodied mineral flow between industrial sectors: A network perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 192-201.
    16. Dhiya Durani Sofian Azizi & Marlia M. Hanafiah & Kok Sin Woon, 2023. "Material Flow Analysis in WEEE Management for Circular Economy: A Content Review on Applications, Limitations, and Future Outlook," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-22, February.
    17. Liang, Yanan & Kleijn, René & Tukker, Arnold & van der Voet, Ester, 2022. "Material requirements for low-carbon energy technologies: A quantitative review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    18. Wu, Congcong & Gao, Xiangyun & Xi, Xian & Zhao, Yiran & Li, Yu, 2021. "The stability optimization of the international lithium trade," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    19. Zhou, Na & Su, Hui & Wu, Qiaosheng & Hu, Shougeng & Xu, Deyi & Yang, Danhui & Cheng, Jinhua, 2022. "China's lithium supply chain: Security dynamics and policy countermeasures," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    20. Zhang, Hongwei & Wang, Xinyi & Tang, Jing & Guo, Yaoqi, 2022. "The impact of international rare earth trade competition on global value chain upgrading from the industrial chain perspective," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).

    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:eee:jrpoli:v:76:y:2022:i:c:s0301420722000873. 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: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    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.