IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v83y2023ics0301420723003380.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Tracing magnesium flows in China: A dynamic material flow analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Guo, Tianjiao
  • Geng, Yong
  • Song, Xiaoqian
  • Rui, Xue
  • Ge, Zewen

Abstract

Magnesium is a unique and widely-applied alkaline earth metal. China is the major magnesium producer and exporter, but the key features of its magnesium flows, such as the total production, the structure of demand, the efficiency of utilization, the volume of recycling, remain unclear. This study aims to investigate magnesium metabolism in China from 2002 to 2021 by employing a retrospective, dynamic material flow analysis method. Results show that (1) China's magnesium supply has doubled to meet its tripled demand during the last 20 years; (2) more than 69% of the magnesium produced in China was used for making refractory materials, while the pure magnesium application accounted for less than 5%; (3) the total net magnesium export reached 1.8 megatons (Mt) in 2021; (4) 1.4 Mt of magnesium was recycled during the study period, only accounting for 9.8% of the total primary magnesium production. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed by considering the Chinese realities, including improving resource efficiency, incubating efficient production technologies, increasing added values of magnesium-containing products, and optimizing trading for magnesium-containing products.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:83:y:2023:i:c:s0301420723003380
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.103627
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420723003380
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2023.103627?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. Zhang, Yan & Wang, Si-Xia & Yao, Jian-Ting & Tong, Rui-Peng, 2023. "The impact of behavior safety management system on coal mine work safety: A system dynamics model of quadripartite evolutionary game," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    2. Graedel, T. E. & Bertram, M. & Fuse, K. & Gordon, R. B. & Lifset, R. & Rechberger, H. & Spatari, S., 2002. "The contemporary European copper cycle: The characterization of technological copper cycles," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 9-26, August.
    3. Rossen, Anja, 2015. "What are metal prices like? Co-movement, price cycles and long-run trends," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 255-276.
    4. 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).
    5. Tilton, John E. & Lagos, Gustavo, 2007. "Assessing the long-run availability of copper," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(1-2), pages 19-23.
    6. Mehmanpazir, Farhad & Khalili-Damghani, Kaveh & Hafezalkotob, Ashkan, 2022. "Dynamic strategic planning: A hybrid approach based on logarithmic regression, system dynamics, Game Theory and Fuzzy Inference System (Case study Steel Industry)," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    7. 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).
    8. Izard, Catherine F. & Müller, Daniel B., 2010. "Tracking the devil's metal: Historical global and contemporary U.S. tin cycles," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(12), pages 1436-1441.
    9. 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).
    10. Rechberger, H. & Graedel, T. E., 2002. "The contemporary European copper cycle: statistical entropy analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 59-72, August.
    11. David Laner & Julia Feketitsch & Helmut Rechberger & Johann Fellner, 2016. "A Novel Approach to Characterize Data Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis and its Application to Plastics Flows in Austria," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 20(5), pages 1050-1063, October.
    12. Koyamparambath, Anish & Santillán-Saldivar, Jair & McLellan, Benjamin & Sonnemann, Guido, 2022. "Supply risk evolution of raw materials for batteries and fossil fuels for selected OECD countries (2000–2018)," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    13. Hayes, Sarah M. & McCullough, Erin A., 2018. "Critical minerals: A review of elemental trends in comprehensive criticality studies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 192-199.
    14. Graedel, T. E., 2002. "The contemporary European copper cycle: introduction," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 5-7, August.
    15. Nikolaou, I.E. & Evangelinos, K.I., 2010. "A SWOT analysis of environmental management practices in Greek Mining and Mineral Industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 226-234, September.
    16. 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).
    17. Bertram, M. & Graedel, T. E. & Rechberger, H. & Spatari, S., 2002. "The contemporary European copper cycle: waste management subsystem," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 43-57, August.
    18. Spatari, S. & Bertram, M. & Fuse, K. & Graedel, T. E. & Rechberger, H., 2002. "The contemporary European copper cycle: 1 year stocks and flows," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 42(1-2), pages 27-42, August.
    19. 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).
    20. Filippou, Dimitrios & King, Michael G., 2011. "R&D prospects in the mining and metals industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 276-284, September.
    21. T. E. Graedel & Julian Allwood & Jean‐Pierre Birat & Matthias Buchert & Christian Hagelüken & Barbara K. Reck & Scott F. Sibley & Guido Sonnemann, 2011. "What Do We Know About Metal Recycling Rates?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(3), pages 355-366, June.
    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. Zhao, Guimei & Li, Wenxiu & Geng, Yong & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of antimony resources in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).

    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. Chen, Wu & Wang, Minxi & Li, Xin, 2016. "Analysis of copper flows in the United States: 1975–2012," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 67-76.
    2. Esther Thiébaud & Lorenz M. Hilty & Mathias Schluep & Heinz W. Böni & Martin Faulstich, 2018. "Where Do Our Resources Go? Indium, Neodymium, and Gold Flows Connected to the Use of Electronic Equipment in Switzerland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Klinglmair, Manfred & Fellner, Johann, 2011. "Historical iron and steel recovery in times of raw material shortage: The case of Austria during World War I," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 179-187.
    4. Luca Ciacci & Ivano Vassura & Fabrizio Passarini, 2017. "Urban Mines of Copper: Size and Potential for Recycling in the EU," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Kapur, Amit, 2006. "The future of the red metal—A developing country perspective from India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 160-182.
    6. Fu, Xinkai & Ueland, Stian M. & Olivetti, Elsa, 2017. "Econometric modeling of recycled copper supply," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 219-226.
    7. Torsten Hummen & Stefanie Hellweg & Ramin Roshandel, 2023. "Optimizing Lifespan of Circular Products: A Generic Dynamic Programming Approach for Energy-Using Products," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-27, September.
    8. Truttmann, Nina & Rechberger, Helmut, 2006. "Contribution to resource conservation by reuse of electrical and electronic household appliances," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 249-262.
    9. Geyer, R. & Davis, J. & Ley, J. & He, J. & Clift, R. & Kwan, A. & Sansom, M. & Jackson, T., 2007. "Time-dependent material flow analysis of iron and steel in the UK," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 101-117.
    10. Shaoli Liu & Xin Li & Minxi Wang, 2016. "Analysis of Aluminum Resource Supply Structure and Guarantee Degree in China Based on Sustainable Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-17, December.
    11. Sourabh, Shalinee & Pavithran, Sagar & Menon, Balagopal G. & Mahanty, Biswajit, 2023. "Econometric modeling for the influence of economic variables on secondary copper production in India," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    12. Simões, Pedro & Marques, Rui Cunha, 2011. "How does the operational environment affect utility performance? A parametric study on the waste sector," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(7), pages 695-702.
    13. Taulo, J.L. & Sebitosi, A.B., 2016. "Material and energy flow analysis of the Malawian tea industry," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 1337-1350.
    14. Tanimoto, Armando H. & Gabarrell Durany, Xavier & Villalba, Gara & Pires, Armando Caldeira, 2010. "Material flow accounting of the copper cycle in Brazil," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(1), pages 20-28.
    15. Zhao, Guimei & Li, Wenxiu & Geng, Yong & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of antimony resources in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    16. Lanzano, T. & Bertram, M. & De Palo, M. & Wagner, C. & Zyla, K. & Graedel, T.E., 2006. "The contemporary European silver cycle," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 27-43.
    17. Harper, E.M. & Bertram, M. & Graedel, T.E., 2006. "The contemporary Latin America and the Caribbean zinc cycle: One year stocks and flows," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 82-100.
    18. Chen, Weiqiang & Shi, Lei & Qian, Yi, 2010. "Substance flow analysis of aluminium in mainland China for 2001, 2004 and 2007: Exploring its initial sources, eventual sinks and the pathways linking them," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(9), pages 557-570.
    19. Wang, Minxi & Chen, Wu & Li, Xin, 2015. "Substance flow analysis of copper in production stage in the U.S. from 1974 to 2012," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 36-48.
    20. Nadine Rötzer & Mario Schmidt, 2020. "Historical, Current, and Future Energy Demand from Global Copper Production and Its Impact on Climate Change," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-31, April.

    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:83:y:2023:i:c:s0301420723003380. 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.