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Global material flow analysis of glass: From raw materials to end of life

Author

Listed:
  • Coenraad D. Westbroek
  • Jennifer Bitting
  • Matteo Craglia
  • José M. C. Azevedo
  • Jonathan M. Cullen

Abstract

Global glass production grew to 150 million tonnes (Mt) in 2014, equating to approximately 21 kg per person. Producing this glass is energy intensive and contributes annual CO2 emissions of some 86Mt. An accurate map of the global glass supply chain is needed to help identify emissions mitigation options from across the supply chain, including process energy efficiency and material efficiency options. This map does not yet exist, so we address this knowledge gap by tracing the production chain from raw materials to end of life and producing a global Sankey diagram of container and flat glass making for 2014. To understand future demand for flat glass we also model the stocks of glass in vehicles and buildings. The analysis shows the relative scale of glass flows and stocks worldwide and provides a baseline for future study of the emission mitigation potential of energy and material efficiency of manufacturing with glass.

Suggested Citation

  • Coenraad D. Westbroek & Jennifer Bitting & Matteo Craglia & José M. C. Azevedo & Jonathan M. Cullen, 2021. "Global material flow analysis of glass: From raw materials to end of life," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(2), pages 333-343, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:25:y:2021:i:2:p:333-343
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13112
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. R. L. Anspach & S. R. Allen & R. C. Lupton, 2024. "Robust modeling of material flows to end‐uses under uncertainty: UK wood flows and material efficiency opportunities," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(4), pages 953-965, August.
    2. Eric Masanet & Niko Heeren & Shigemi Kagawa & Jonathan Cullen & Reid Lifset & Richard Wood, 2021. "Material efficiency for climate change mitigation," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(2), pages 254-259, April.
    3. Lima, Ana T. & Kirkelund, Gunvor M. & Lu, Zheng & Mao, Ruichang & Kunther, Wolfgang & Rode, Carsten & Slabik, Simon & Hafner, Annette & Sameer, Husam & Dürr, Hans H. & Flörke, Martina & Lowe, Benjamin, 2024. "Mapping circular economy practices for steel, cement, glass, brick, insulation, and wood – A review for climate mitigation modeling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    4. Daniel Grossegger, 2022. "Material flow analysis study of asphalt in an Austrian municipality," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(3), pages 996-1009, June.
    5. Gutai, Matyas & Mok, Brandon & Cavana, Giulio & Kheybari, Abolfazl Ganji, 2024. "Global carbon viability of glass technologies: Life-cycle assessment of standard, advanced and water-filled glass (WFG) building envelopes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    6. Rigby, Aidan & Lindley, Ben & Cullen, Jonathan, 2023. "An exergy based assessment of the efficiency of nuclear fuel cycles," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).

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