Iron material flow analysis for production, consumption, and trade in China from 2010 to 2015

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Statistical analyses of import and export trade data for iron-containing commodities were combined with data for domestic iron ore mining, iron and steel smelting, and secondary iron and steel resources to construct an MFA (material flow analysis) for iron production, consumption, and trade in China. The analysis showed that (1) the highest actual consumption of iron in China was 625 Mt in 2013, and the actual consumption of iron was approximately 80% of the apparent consumption; (2) from 2010 to 2015, approximately 90% of imported iron material was iron ore, and more than 97% of exported iron material was rolled steel and IEP (iron-containing end products); (3) 2/3 of the iron-containing commodities produced in China were for domestic consumption, and 1/3 was exported; and (4) loss of raw materials during processing primarily occurred in the beneficiation of domestic iron ore, with annual losses of approximately 50% of the total. This study provides a data base for further research into resource policy, industrial development, and metal waste and environmental management.