{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"analysis_type":["material flow analysis"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'material flow analysis' for facet 'analysis_type' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":6,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?analysis_type=material+flow+analysis","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"ucs-000834","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-000834","title":"Making the Most of Electric Vehicle Batteries","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2024-12","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/making-most-ev-batteries-report_0.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report argues that the US can significantly reduce its reliance on newly mined minerals for electric vehicle (EV) batteries by prioritizing energy efficiency, right-sizing battery range, and implementing robust recycling policies. Through a 'Very Low Demand Scenario,' the authors demonstrate that newly mined lithium needs could be reduced by 48% from 2025 to 2050, saving 1.5 million metric tons of material. The analysis emphasizes that while electrification is essential for decarbonization, a systems-wide approach—including investments in public transit and rail to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)—is necessary to create a sustainable and just supply chain.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Implementing ambitious policies, investments, and industry leadership could reduce newly mined lithium requirements by 48% between 2025 and 2050, which is equivalent to 1.5 million metric tons or 180 million typical EV batteries.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Increasing EV energy efficiency by 20% is the single most effective strategy for reducing overall mineral needs from 2025 to 2050, resulting in a 22% decrease in lithium demand.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Right-sizing vehicle range to an average of 275 miles can reduce overall mineral demand by 20% compared to the baseline scenario.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A 35% reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) through increased mobility options and smarter land use would lead to a 15% decrease in cumulative lithium demand from 2025 to 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"High-efficiency recycling processes can recover over 90% of lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can then be used to manufacture new batteries and offset the need for newly mined materials.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In a 'Very Low Demand Scenario,' recycled content could meet 59% of lithium demand by 2050, compared to only 26% in the baseline scenario where lithium recovery rates are lower.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Demand reduction strategies for lithium also significantly impact other minerals; they could reduce the demand for newly mined cobalt and nickel by nearly 40% from 2020 to 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The shift toward lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, which contains no nickel or cobalt, is expected to result in LFP representing about 35% of future cathodes by 2050.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report identifies a trend where the average EV model available in the US is becoming less efficient over time, with the average efficiency moving from 30 kWh per 100 miles in 2017 to 37 kWh per 100 miles in 2024.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-000834#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["electric vehicle","battery recycling","critical minerals","nickel","public transport","urban planning","circular economy"],"geography_discussed":["European Union","California","Minnesota","Maryland","Washington","New Jersey","Hawaii","Nevada"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["scenario analysis","material flow analysis","policy assessment"]},{"id":"sei-001404","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/sei-001404","title":"Household waste and the circular economy in Bangkok","publisher":{"name":"Stockholm Environment Institute","organization":"stockholm-environment-institute"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2022-12","source_url":"https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/household-waste-bangkok-sei2022.051.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds a significant 'value-action gap' in Bangkok households, where high reported commitment to waste sorting does not match the fact that 75% of household waste is thrown out as trash. Organic waste is the primary contributor to this gap, comprising 90% of waste discarded as trash. The study highlights that economic incentives and collective action are the strongest drivers of behaviour, while a lack of knowledge on composting and perceived futility when municipal collectors mix waste act as barriers. The authors recommend prioritising organic waste management, integrating informal waste workers into formal systems, and implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to address economic barriers to recycling.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"There is a substantial gap in waste management practices in Bangkok, with approximately 75% of all household waste types being discarded as trash rather than being separated, recycled, or reused.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Organic waste represents the largest portion of household waste by weight (83%) and the vast majority of waste thrown away as trash (90%), yet composting is hindered by a lack of financial incentives, storage facilities, and knowledge.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A 'value-action gap' exists where a high percentage of households express support for waste sorting—92% agree it should be done by everyone and 72% claim to do it 'every time' or 'mostly'—which contradicts the actual high volume of waste thrown away as trash.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Economic motivation is a primary driver for waste separation, particularly for lower-income households who earn supplementary income by selling recyclables to informal collectors known as saleng.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Collective action serves as both a motivator and a deterrent; while the feeling of working together is positive, households feel discouraged when they perceive municipal garbage collectors mixing previously separated waste.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"While 60% of respondents feel they have sufficient knowledge on waste separation and reduction, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding how to reuse materials (49%) and how to compost organic waste (43%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The informal waste sector is critical to Thailand's recycling efforts, with estimates suggesting approximately 1.5 million informal waste workers are responsible for about 75% of the country's recycling.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001404#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["circular economy","recycling","organic waste","single-use plastic"],"geography_discussed":["Thailand","Khlong Toei","Bang Kapi","Phitsanulok"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["material flow analysis","behavioural analysis"]},{"id":"sei-001325","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/sei-001325","title":"Eesti tarbimisjärgsed rõiva- ja tekstiilivood","publisher":{"name":"Stockholm Environment Institute","organization":"stockholm-environment-institute"},"document_type":"report","language":"et","date_published":"2020-05","source_url":"https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/eesti-tarbimisjargsed-roiva-ja-tekstiilivood-1.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that Estonia consumes approximately 19,530 tonnes of textiles annually, with 16% being used items. While separate collection has grown to 30% of new textiles placed on the market, about 50% of separately collected textiles are still handled as waste (landfilled or incinerated) due to a lack of domestic recycling capacity. Estonia is a major European importer of used textiles, often acting as a sorting hub for export to Africa and Pakistan.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In 2018, Estonia consumed an estimated 16,400 tonnes of new clothing and home textiles, averaging 12.41 kg per person per year. When including 3,160 tonnes of used textiles (2.4 kg per person), total consumption reached 19,530 tonnes (14.8 kg per person), with used textiles making up 16% of the total.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Separate collection of used textiles in Estonia is estimated at 4,870 tonnes annually, representing 30% of the new textiles placed on the market. This collection is split between reuse organizations (61%), waste stations (37%), and clothing brands (2%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Approximately 50% of separately collected used textiles in Estonia are handled as waste through landfilling or incineration. This is primarily because Estonia lacks the industrial capacity for large-scale textile-to-textile recycling.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A significant volume of textile waste is disposed of via mixed municipal waste. It is estimated that 14,842 tonnes of textiles enter the waste stream this way annually, with 75% likely incinerated and 25% landfilled.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Estonia is the fourth largest importer of used clothing and textiles in Europe per capita. In 2018, 10,543 tonnes were imported; of these, 26% were reused in Estonia, 39% exported for further processing (likely recycling), 27% exported for reuse, and 8% disposed of as waste in Estonia.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The quality of textiles collected domestically in Estonia is reported to be lower than that of imported textiles. This decline is attributed to the rise of 'fast fashion' and new business models where consumers sell higher-quality items themselves.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Local governments (KOVs) have been relatively passive in organizing separate textile collection, with only 25 waste stations across Estonia meeting the requirement to accept textile waste.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"sei-001325#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["circular economy","waste management","incineration"],"geography_discussed":["Latvia","Africa","Pakistan","European Union"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["material flow analysis","policy assessment"]},{"id":"greenca-000273","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/greenca-000273","title":"Identified business opportunities in the industrial areas of Montague Gardens & Atlantis, Cape Town Investment Prospectus 2020","publisher":{"name":"GreenCape","organization":"greencape"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2020","source_url":"https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WISP-Investment-Prospectus-FINAL-3.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report outlines opportunities for industrial symbiosis in two Cape Town industrial zones. In Montague Gardens, it highlights the reuse of boiler ash in brick making, the need for treated wood waste solutions, and the potential to shift freight from road to rail. In Atlantis, it identifies opportunities for reusing foundry sand and ash, recovering precious metals from e-waste, and investing in waste-to-energy infrastructure such as pyrolysis and gasification plants. The document argues that establishing a central management body and fostering collaboration on shared services and material exchanges are essential for building business resilience and creating low-carbon zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"In Montague Gardens, boiler ash from the paper manufacturing sector constitutes 97% of landfilled waste, totaling 21,840 tonnes per annum, and can be reused in brick manufacturing to create stronger products that absorb less water.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Montague Gardens lacks a solution for treated wood waste, with three board cutting stores and six furniture manufacturers generating at least 900 tonnes per annum; gasification is suggested as a potential energy source, though it must comply with the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (NEMAQA, 2013).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Shifting freight from road to rail in Montague Gardens presents a carbon reduction opportunity, potentially saving almost 3,000 ktCO2eq, by utilizing the existing railway network currently maintained for a cement mixing company.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Atlantis generates approximately 72,000 tonnes of waste foundry sand annually, which could be reused in road, parking lot, and concrete construction, provided that waste management licenses are obtained as the material is classified as type 310 hazardous waste.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"There is significant potential for waste-to-energy investment in Atlantis, including a pyrolysis plant that could process 8,880 tonnes of biomass, plastic, and textile waste to produce 4,160,000 litres of fuel oil and 2,800 tonnes of biochar, with estimated capital expenditure exceeding R60 million.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Atlantis has high municipal water consumption and lacks alternative sources, creating an opportunity for a cascading water exchange network based on pinch analysis to match water quality and quantity requirements across different businesses.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The transition to eco-industrial parks requires a central management body to facilitate targeted investment, shared logistics, and green services such as energy and water service companies to reduce costs and create low-carbon zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000273#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["Industrial symbiosis","circular economy","waste-to-energy","greenhouse gas emissions reduction","resource efficiency","biochar"],"geography_discussed":["Western Cape","South Africa"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["investment prospectus","material flow analysis"]},{"id":"wwfza-000226","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/wwfza-000226","title":"SOUTH AFRICA PLASTICS: FACTS AND FUTURES","publisher":{"name":"WWF South Africa","organization":"wwf-south-africa"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2020","source_url":"https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_plastics_report_final_2nov2020.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report describes South Africa's plastics economy as a linear \"take-make-waste\" model characterized by high dependency on virgin fossil-fuel-based materials and a weak waste management system. It highlights that plastic packaging is a major leakage hotspot, with over 50% of converted plastics having a lifespan of less than three years. While a recycling sector exists, it is heavily reliant on an under-supported informal waste sector and is vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. The document argues that recycling alone is insufficient and advocates for a circular economy approach involving the elimination of problematic plastics, mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR), and the adoption of the South African Plastics Pact to achieve specific 2025 targets for recyclability and recycled content.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"South Africa's plastics economy is primarily linear, relying heavily on virgin materials, with landfilling and open dumping serving as the main waste treatment methods.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Plastic packaging is the most significant source of leakage into the environment, accounting for 52% of the plastic raw material produced in or imported into South Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The plastics sector's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is projected to rise from 4% in 2015 to 15% by 2050 due to expanding production to meet consumption growth.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A significant portion of plastic waste in South Africa is mismanaged; in 2017, it was estimated that 70% of plastic entering waste systems ended up in open dumps and non-compliant landfills.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The informal waste sector is critical to the recycling economy, with an estimated 215,000 informal reclaimers collecting, sorting, and selling materials to earn a living.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Biodegradable plastics are currently unsuitable for the South African context because the country lacks the necessary industrial composting infrastructure and certification standards.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The economic viability of mechanical recycling in South Africa is highly sensitive to crude oil prices; when oil falls below $65/barrel, the economics of recycling become more challenging.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Marine plastic pollution in South Africa is largely land-based, with 80% of ocean plastic originating from land sources and transported via waterways and currents.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The South African Plastics Pact has set 2025 targets for its members to ensure 100% of plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and that 70% is effectively recycled.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Current waste legislation in South Africa often acts as a barrier to circularity by defining waste as an environmental liability rather than a secondary resource.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000226#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["greenhouse gas emissions","plastic pollution","waste management","life cycle assessment"],"geography_discussed":["City of Cape Town","Gauteng","KwaZulu-Natal","Western Cape","Eastern Cape","World"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy assessment","material flow analysis","socio-economic impact study"]},{"id":"wwfza-000137","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/wwfza-000137","title":"A low-carbon sunrise for the mining industry","publisher":{"name":"WWF South Africa","organization":"wwf-south-africa"},"document_type":"research paper","language":"en","date_published":"2018","source_url":"https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_2018_low_carbon_sunrise_for_mining_industry.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document examines the relationship between the low-carbon energy transition and the extractive industries, specifically focusing on South Africa. It details the specific metal requirements for various renewable energy technologies—such as solar PV, wind, and geothermal—and argues that the resulting increase in global demand for these materials can provide a strategic economic advantage for South Africa. The paper suggests that the country can leverage its vast mineral reserves to move beyond primary ore exports toward high-value manufacturing of clean technologies and the modernisation of its mining infrastructure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Low-carbon electricity generation technologies are more material-intensive than traditional fossil fuel-based energy systems. For example, a single 3 MW industrial wind turbine requires 335 tonnes of steel, 4.7 tonnes of copper, 3 tonnes of aluminium, and 500kg of rare earth elements (REEs).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The demand for metals varies by technology: crystalline-silicon solar PV requires 6.6 t/MW of silicon and 0.08 t/MW of silver, while cadmium telluride technologies require 0.16 t/MW of tellurium. Geothermal energy requires high usage of alloys including chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and copper for well piping.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Global demand for metals is projected to rise steeply under different temperature scenarios. In a 2 °C increase scenario, the World Bank estimates demand for metals for wind technologies will increase by 250% and for solar PV by 300%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"South Africa possesses a significant strategic advantage in the low-carbon transition due to its mineral reserves, including 80% of identified manganese resources and over 40% of global production of platinum group metals (PGMs), vanadium, and ferrochromium.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The transition offers South Africa several economic opportunities: creating new markets (particularly as China manufactures more clean tech), increasing commodity prices, incentivising the modernisation of aging mines, and developing domestic refining infrastructure for by-products like gallium.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The document suggests that South Africa can use its mineral wealth to shift its 'Mineral Energy Complex' (MEC) toward a high-value manufacturing base for clean technologies, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide cheaper renewable energy for the mining sector itself.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"While recycling is a core part of the green economy and can recover metals like iron, steel, lead, copper, and aluminium without quality loss, it is unlikely to meet the total scale of demand in the near-term.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"wwfza-000137#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","mining industry","renewable energy","photovoltaics","wind energy","geothermal energy","carbon capture and storage","electric vehicle","Paris Agreement","greenhouse gas emissions"],"geography_discussed":["People's Republic of China","European Union"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["economic assessment","strategic analysis","material flow analysis"]}]}