NICER INSIGHT REPORT: MATERIAL FLOW ANALYSIS

CE-Hub, 2025

NICER PROGRAMME INSIGHT REPORT

Material flow analysis (MFA) is a method to obtain a quantitative systems overview of how we extract, use, and discard materials. It assembles data about material use from a variety of sources and applies the principle of mass conservation to quantify material flows between, and stocks within, component processes of a defined part of a material life cycle. This document summarises the principles and benefits of MFA in 9 insights, drawing on the extensive use of MFA in the National Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Research (NICER) programme.