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Title Uncovering the features of nickel flows in China
ID_Doc 25394
Authors Su, C; Geng, Y; Zeng, XL; Gao, ZY; Song, XQ
Title Uncovering the features of nickel flows in China
Year 2023
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106702
Abstract Nickel is a critical metal due to its importance in social development with major applications in both low-and high-tech aspects. Several studies have focused on nickel production and consumption in China, but the end uses, international trade, and recycling perspectives remain unknown. This study aims to quantify China's annual nickel flows from 2000 to 2019 by applying dynamic material flow analysis. Results show that a large amount of nickel, including 1.65 mega-tons (Mt) in minerals from domestic mining, 12 Mt in various imported products, had been consumed in China from 2000 to 2019, with 2.65 Mt exported to other countries. However, only 0.84 Mt of nickel was recycled, while 4 Mt of nickel was lost in several life stages. The surge of nickel consumption during this period was mainly caused by the rise of stainless-steel industry. Such a consumption trend will continue in the stainless-steel sector and electric vehicles sector, leading to high reliance on import and corre-sponding carbon emission. Several recommendations are raised from policy, technology, and capacity-building perspectives so that nickel industry can achieve sustainable development.
Author Keywords Nickel; Material Flow Analysis (MFA); Secondary Resources; Circular Economy; China
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000867687900001
WoS Category Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences
Research Area Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology
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