Abstract
This study reports a substance flow analysis (SFA) of the aluminum (Al) industry in China. The flows, stocks, trades, and losses of life cycle stages and sub-stages were quantified according to figures from 2013, and led to a detailed budget of Al resources. Moreover, SFA indices were developed to describe the external dependency (ED) of Al, the importance of secondary Al, and the material input for Al. The major results of the study are as follows: (1) From a life cycle perspective, the main environmental burden is attributable to the primary Al production (PAP) stage. (2) A high ED revealed that China is facing a severe shortage of Al resource. (3) Material input indicators revealed that the Al industry requires large volumes of ore resources, energy, and water. (4) The high dependency on ore resources, low Al resource efficiency, and low recycled content are all related to the share of secondary Al production. (5) The key to reducing the high ED and the material inputs, and improving resource efficiency is to improve the share of secondary Al. The detailed SFA conducted in this study provides a basis for identifying resource efficiency, loss rate, direct material input, and the ecological rucksack of Al in China, as well as guidance for future decisions concerning ways to improve the resource efficiency of the Al industry.
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