IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/recore/v72y2013icp1-8.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Historical evolution of anthropogenic aluminum stocks and flows in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Ciacci, Luca
  • Chen, Weiqiang
  • Passarini, Fabrizio
  • Eckelman, Matthew
  • Vassura, Ivano
  • Morselli, Luciano

Abstract

Dynamic stocks and flows analysis was applied to the anthropogenic aluminum cycle in Italy in order to detect and quantify metal flows and in-use stocks over the years 1947–2009. The model utilized a top-down approach, including data for production, consumption, loss, and trade flows of aluminum. Seven end-use markets were considered, namely buildings and construction, transportation, consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical engineering, containers and packaging, and miscellaneous appliance types. The results of this dynamic stocks and flows analysis model quantified the contemporary anthropogenic reservoirs (or in-use stocks) of aluminum at about 320kg per capita, mainly embedded within the transportation and building and construction sectors. Cumulative in-use stock represents approximately 11 years of supply at current usage rates (about 20Mt versus 1.7Mt/year), implying significant potential for recycling in the future as this stock comes out of use. Flow analysis revealed that Italy imports mainly unwrought aluminum and exports final products, while the main material losses occur during alumina refining and collection of old scrap: specifically, containers and packaging have the highest old scrap generation rate, but for the lowest recovery rate (50%). Increasing support to collection of scrap and initiatives oriented to aluminum recovery specifically would allow Italy to increase its reliance on domestic material, and may also allow a decline of the country import-dependence on primary sources. The dynamic stocks and flows model created here provides a quantitative historical record of the aluminum required by Italian society during important periods of development and provides guidance for future decision-making around the use of domestic secondary resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Ciacci, Luca & Chen, Weiqiang & Passarini, Fabrizio & Eckelman, Matthew & Vassura, Ivano & Morselli, Luciano, 2013. "Historical evolution of anthropogenic aluminum stocks and flows in Italy," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1-8.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:72:y:2013:i:c:p:1-8
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.12.004
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344912002182
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resconrec.2012.12.004?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. McMillan, Colin A. & Moore, Michael R. & Keoleian, Gregory A. & Bulkley, Jonathan W., 2010. "Quantifying U.S. aluminum in-use stocks and their relationship with economic output," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 2606-2613, October.
    2. Hyung‐Ju Kim & Gregory A. Keoleian & Steven J. Skerlos, 2011. "Economic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction by Vehicle Lightweighting Using Aluminum and High‐Strength Steel," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(1), pages 64-80, February.
    3. Chen, Wei-Qiang & Shi, Lei, 2012. "Analysis of aluminum stocks and flows in mainland China from 1950 to 2009: Exploring the dynamics driving the rapid increase in China's aluminum production," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 18-28.
    4. Chen, Wei-Qiang & Graedel, T.E., 2012. "Dynamic analysis of aluminum stocks and flows in the United States: 1900–2009," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 92-102.
    5. Dahlström, Kristina & Ekins, Paul, 2007. "Combining economic and environmental dimensions: Value chain analysis of UK aluminium flows," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 541-560.
    6. Spatari, S. & Bertram, M. & Gordon, Robert B. & Henderson, K. & Graedel, T.E., 2005. "Twentieth century copper stocks and flows in North America: A dynamic analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(1), pages 37-51, July.
    7. Chen, Weiqiang & Shi, Lei & Qian, Yi, 2010. "Substance flow analysis of aluminium in mainland China for 2001, 2004 and 2007: Exploring its initial sources, eventual sinks and the pathways linking them," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(9), pages 557-570.
    8. Gaustad, Gabrielle & Olivetti, Elsa & Kirchain, Randolph, 2012. "Improving aluminum recycling: A survey of sorting and impurity removal technologies," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 79-87.
    9. Rostkowski, Katherine & Rauch, Jason & Drakonakis, Konstantine & Reck, Barbara & Gordon, R.B. & Graedel, T.E., 2007. "“Bottom–up” study of in-use nickel stocks in New Haven, CT," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 58-70.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Ling & Cai, Zhijian & Yang, Jiameng & Chen, Yan & Yuan, Zengwei, 2014. "Quantification and spatial characterization of in-use copper stocks in Shanghai," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 134-143.
    2. Sverdrup, Harald U. & Ragnarsdottir, Kristin Vala & Koca, Deniz, 2015. "Aluminium for the future: Modelling the global production, market supply, demand, price and long term development of the global reserves," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 139-154.
    3. 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.
    4. Li, Shupeng & Wang, Zhe & Yue, Qiang & Zhang, Tingan, 2022. "Analysis of the quantity and spatial characterization of aluminum in-use stocks in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    5. Buchner, Hanno & Laner, David & Rechberger, Helmut & Fellner, Johann, 2014. "In-depth analysis of aluminum flows in Austria as a basis to increase resource efficiency," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 112-123.
    6. Ciacci, L. & Passarini, F. & Vassura, I., 2017. "The European PVC cycle: In-use stock and flows," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 108-116.
    7. Sverdrup, Harald & Koca, Deniz & Ragnarsdottir, Kristin Vala, 2014. "Investigating the sustainability of the global silver supply, reserves, stocks in society and market price using different approaches," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 121-140.
    8. 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.
    9. Sevigné-Itoiz, Eva & Gasol, Carles M. & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2014. "Environmental consequences of recycling aluminum old scrap in a global market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 94-103.
    10. Maung, Kyaw Nyunt & Yoshida, Tomoharu & Liu, Gang & Lwin, Cherry Myo & Muller, Daniel B. & Hashimoto, Seiji, 2017. "Assessment of secondary aluminum reserves of nations," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 34-41.

    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. Chen, Wei-Qiang & Shi, Lei, 2012. "Analysis of aluminum stocks and flows in mainland China from 1950 to 2009: Exploring the dynamics driving the rapid increase in China's aluminum production," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 18-28.
    2. 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.
    3. Lu, Bin & Liu, Jingru & Yang, Jianxin, 2017. "Substance flow analysis of lithium for sustainable management in mainland China: 2007–2014," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 109-116.
    4. 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.
    5. Sverdrup, Harald U. & Ragnarsdottir, Kristin Vala & Koca, Deniz, 2015. "Aluminium for the future: Modelling the global production, market supply, demand, price and long term development of the global reserves," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 139-154.
    6. Maung, Kyaw Nyunt & Yoshida, Tomoharu & Liu, Gang & Lwin, Cherry Myo & Muller, Daniel B. & Hashimoto, Seiji, 2017. "Assessment of secondary aluminum reserves of nations," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 34-41.
    7. Li, Shupeng & Wang, Zhe & Yue, Qiang & Zhang, Tingan, 2022. "Analysis of the quantity and spatial characterization of aluminum in-use stocks in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Wang, Minxi & Chen, Wu & Zhou, Yang & Li, Xin, 2017. "Assessment of potential copper scrap in China and policy recommendation," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 235-244.
    9. Bertram, M. & Ramkumar, S. & Rechberger, H. & Rombach, G. & Bayliss, C. & Martchek, K.J. & Müller, D.B. & Liu, G., 2017. "A regionally-linked, dynamic material flow modelling tool for rolled, extruded and cast aluminium products," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 48-69.
    10. Hatayama, Hiroki & Daigo, Ichiro & Matsuno, Yasunari & Adachi, Yoshihiro, 2012. "Evolution of aluminum recycling initiated by the introduction of next-generation vehicles and scrap sorting technology," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 8-14.
    11. Chen, Wei-Qiang & Graedel, T.E., 2012. "Dynamic analysis of aluminum stocks and flows in the United States: 1900–2009," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 92-102.
    12. Li, Yun & Yue, Qiang & He, Junhao & Zhao, Feng & Wang, Heming, 2020. "When will the arrival of China's secondary aluminum era?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    13. Buchner, Hanno & Laner, David & Rechberger, Helmut & Fellner, Johann, 2014. "In-depth analysis of aluminum flows in Austria as a basis to increase resource efficiency," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 112-123.
    14. Sevigné-Itoiz, Eva & Gasol, Carles M. & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2014. "Environmental consequences of recycling aluminum old scrap in a global market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 94-103.
    15. Zhang, Chao & Chen, Wei-Qiang & Liu, Gang & Zhu, Da-Jian, 2017. "Economic Growth and the Evolution of Material Cycles: An Analytical Framework Integrating Material Flow and Stock Indicators," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 265-274.
    16. Guo, Ying & Zhou, Wenji & Ren, Hongtao & Yu, Yadong & Xu, Lei & Fuss, Maryegli, 2023. "Optimizing the aluminum supply chain network subject to the uncertainty of carbon emissions trading market," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    17. Nate P. Hua & Jarod C. Kelly & Geoffrey M. Lewis & Gregory A. Keoleian, 2022. "Regional analysis of aluminum and steel flows into the American automotive industry," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1318-1332, August.
    18. Larona S. Teseletso & Tsuyoshi Adachi, 2022. "Long-Term Sustainability of Copper and Iron Based on a System Dynamics Model," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-19, April.
    19. Matsuno, Yasunari & Hur, Tak & Fthenakis, Vasilis, 2012. "Dynamic modeling of cadmium substance flow with zinc and steel demand in Japan," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 83-90.
    20. Jan Streeck & Quirin Dammerer & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Fridolin Krausmann, 2021. "The role of socio‐economic material stocks for natural resource use in the United States of America from 1870 to 2100," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1486-1502, December.

    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:recore:v:72:y:2013:i:c:p:1-8. 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: Kai Meng (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/resources-conservation-and-recycling .

    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.