IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v99y2024ics0301420724007840.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mapping the anthropogenic zinc cycle in China from 2000 to 2021: A dynamic material flow analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Tong, Lu
  • Geng, Yong
  • Mei, Yueru
  • Gao, Ziyan
  • Liu, Sijie

Abstract

Zinc is one of strategic metals for economic advancement owing to its extensive utilization in various sectors. China is the largest zinc producer and consumer in the world and plays an important role in the global zinc supply chain. However, a clear picture of zinc metabolism, including its flows and stocks, remains unclear in China. This study investigates the anthropogenic zinc cycle within China's mainland for a period of 2000–2021 by employing a dynamic material flow analysis approach. Our results indicate that the demand for zinc ores increased from 1.86 Mt (megatons) in 2000 to 7.77 Mt in 2021, while the domestic zinc consumption increased from 1.51 Mt in 2000 to 6.39 Mt in 2021. In the use stage, galvanized zinc products dominated zinc consumption with a proportion of 62.49%, with the construction sector serving as the largest end-user with a proportion of 44.17%. However, the average zinc recycling rate was only 49.4%, primarily from new scraps collected in the manufacturing stage. In order to respond to the ambitious carbon neutrality target and rapid urbanization, the Chinese government has implemented mining restriction policies to curb domestic emissions, which induced more zinc imports. Consequently, the reliance on international trade increased from 27.57% in 2013 to 46.77% in 2021. Based upon these findings, several policy recommendations are proposed, including preparing regulatory frameworks, promoting technological advancements, and applying various economic instruments. These recommendations can facilitate sustainable zinc resource management.

Suggested Citation

  • Tong, Lu & Geng, Yong & Mei, Yueru & Gao, Ziyan & Liu, Sijie, 2024. "Mapping the anthropogenic zinc cycle in China from 2000 to 2021: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:99:y:2024:i:c:s0301420724007840
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.105417
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420724007840
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.105417?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. 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).
    2. Yan, Lingyu & Wang, Anjian & Chen, Qishen & Li, Jianwu, 2013. "Dynamic material flow analysis of zinc resources in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 23-31.
    3. Mei, Yueru & Geng, Yong & Xiao, Shijiang & Su, Chang & Gao, Ziyan & Wei, Wendong, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of rhenium in China for 2011–2020," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    4. T. E. Graedel & Dick van Beers & Marlen Bertram & Kensuke Fuse & Robert B. Gordon & Alexander Gritsinin & Ermelinda M. Harper & Amit Kapur & Robert J. Klee & Reid Lifset & Laiq Memon & Sabrina Spatari, 2005. "The Multilevel Cycle of Anthropogenic Zinc," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 9(3), pages 67-90, July.
    5. 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.
    6. Kjetil Røine & Chin‐Yu Lee, 2006. "With a Little Help from EPR?: Technological Change and Innovation in the Norwegian Plastic Packaging and Electronics Sectors," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 10(1‐2), pages 217-237, January.
    7. David Laner & Helmut Rechberger & Thomas Astrup, 2014. "Systematic Evaluation of Uncertainty in Material Flow Analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(6), pages 859-870, December.
    8. Ge, Zewen & Geng, Yong & Wei, Wendong & Zhong, Chen, 2022. "Assessing samarium resource efficiency in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    9. Zhao, Guimei & Li, Wenxiu & Geng, Yong & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of antimony resources in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    10. Karyotis, Catherine & Alijani, Sharam, 2016. "Soft commodities and the global financial crisis: Implications for the economy, resources and institutions," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 350-359.
    11. 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).
    12. Yuhua Guo & Junmao Qie & Chunxia Zhang & Yuantao Yang, 2021. "Material flow analysis of zinc during the manufacturing process in integrated steel mills in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(4), pages 1009-1020, August.
    13. Ziyan Gao & Yong Geng & Xianlai Zeng & Xu Tian & Tianli Yao & Xiaoqian Song & Chang Su, 2022. "Evolution of the anthropogenic chromium cycle in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 592-608, April.
    14. Xu, Qingqing & Meng, Tianci & Sha, Yue & Jiang, Xia, 2022. "Volatility in metallic resources prices in COVID-19 and financial Crises-2008: Evidence from global market," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    15. Park, Jeong-a & Hong, Seok-jin & Kim, Ik & Lee, Ji-yong & Hur, Tak, 2011. "Dynamic material flow analysis of steel resources in Korea," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 55(4), pages 456-462.
    16. Mei, Yueru & Geng, Yong & Chen, Zhujun & Xiao, Shijiang & Gao, Ziyan, 2024. "Ensuring the sustainable supply of semiconductor material: A case of germanium in China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    17. Kyaw Nyunt Maung & Cherry Myo Lwin & Seiji Hashimoto, 2019. "Assessment of secondary zinc reserves of nations," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(5), pages 1109-1120, October.
    18. Xiao, Shijiang & Geng, Yong & Rui, Xue & Gao, Ziyan & Su, Chang & Yao, Tianli & Zhong, Chen, 2024. "Anthropogenic cycles of praseodymium in China: 2000–2020," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    19. Daigo, Ichiro & Osako, Shun & Adachi, Yoshihiro & Matsuno, Yasunari, 2014. "Time-series analysis of global zinc demand associated with steel," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 35-40.
    20. 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).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Rabab, Nida & Geng, Yong & Cai, Wenqiu & Gu, Wang & Gao, Ziyan & Shi, Junting, 2024. "Uncovering the key features of iron metabolism in Pakistan from 2005 to 2020: A dynamic material flow analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 261-269.
    2. Zhao, Guimei & Li, Wenxiu & Geng, Yong & Bleischwitz, Raimund, 2023. "Dynamic material flow analysis of antimony resources in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    3. Li, Jinze & Geng, Yong & Liu, Sijie & Zhong, Chen & Gu, Wang, 2024. "Uncovering the features of rhodium metabolism in China during 2011–2022," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    4. Zhu, Xiangyan & Geng, Yong & Gao, Ziyan & Tian, Xu & Xiao, Shijiang & Houssini, Khaoula, 2023. "Investigating zirconium flows and stocks in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    5. 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).
    6. 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).
    7. 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.
    8. Tan, Xueping & Zhong, Yiran & Wang, Ziyi & Geng, Yong & Xiao, Shijiang & Zhang, Yuquan & Huang, Junxiang, 2024. "Mapping cerium flows in China: A dynamic material flow analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    9. Meylan, Grégoire & Reck, Barbara K., 2017. "The anthropogenic cycle of zinc: Status quo and perspectives," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-10.
    10. Yuhua Guo & Junmao Qie & Chunxia Zhang & Yuantao Yang, 2021. "Material flow analysis of zinc during the manufacturing process in integrated steel mills in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(4), pages 1009-1020, August.
    11. Zeynep Ozsut Bogar & Askiner Gungor, 2023. "Forecasting Waste Mobile Phone (WMP) Quantity and Evaluating the Potential Contribution to the Circular Economy: A Case Study of Turkey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-38, February.
    12. Xaysackda Vilaysouk & Savath Saypadith & Seiji Hashimoto, 2022. "Semisupervised machine learning classification framework for material intensity parameters of residential buildings," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(1), pages 72-87, February.
    13. 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).
    14. 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).
    15. Huang, Chu-Long & Vause, Jonathan & Ma, Hwong-Wen & Yu, Chang-Ping, 2012. "Using material/substance flow analysis to support sustainable development assessment: A literature review and outlook," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 104-116.
    16. 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).
    17. Kavlak, Goksin & Graedel, T.E., 2013. "Global anthropogenic selenium cycles for 1940–2010," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 17-22.
    18. Cha, Kyounghoon & Son, Minjung & Matsuno, Yasunari & Fthenakis, Vasilis & Hur, Tak, 2013. "Substance flow analysis of cadmium in Korea," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 31-39.
    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. Cao, Zhi & Shen, Lei & Liu, Litao & Zhao, Jianan & Zhong, Shuai & Kong, Hanxiao & Sun, Yanzhi, 2017. "Estimating the in-use cement stock in China: 1920–2013," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 21-31.

    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:99:y:2024:i:c:s0301420724007840. 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.