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(M/MC260) Considering different scales in global material flow analyses. Bauer, Christian1, Zapp, Petra2, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Aiming at the development of a resource management system for metals a collaborative research centre has been set up by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Between the methodological framework of LCA and the challenges of sustainable development options for a resource sensitive supply of metals are to be identified. Within the scope of this study different actors in industry, policy and society are to be addressed. Therefore a multi-scale approach was chosen to depict specific segments of the material flow on the one hand, but also to characterise the entire supply situation on the other hand. Based on a process chain model which contains the technologies of all involved processes three different spatial scales are distinguished to determine mass flows and to address sustainability. Large scales on a site level are used to model accumulation processes like mining, processing and smelting during primary metal production with a global coverage. A country level is used to characterise the energy supply situation for all countries involved in the production process. Manufacturing, use and secondary raw material flows which depend on consumption behaviour are modelled for particular countries only. Supplementary processes are modelled traditionally without a spatial reference and therefore without scale. The strength of this approach is, that analysis results form the process chain can be scaled up to a country or even upto a particular site in the primary metal production chain. This enables a more detailed environmental impact assessment with full support of the precautionary principle as far as companies and stakeholders can be addressed directly. By aligning an environmental information system environmental conditions also can be considered on country and location scales (Bauer C.; An Environmental Information System to Characterise Metallic Raw Material Flows; Proc. 3rd SETAC-World-Congress, P.293). Key words: material flow, scales |
