Abstract
This article discusses recent trends in material flow analysis and its future development based on six different viewpoints : subject material, spatial scale, time scale, material stock, data preparation methods, and policy use. Recent trends include the expansion of the subject to a variety of materials and products, diversification of spatial levels from local to global, extension of the time-scale focus, increased interest in material stock, application of input-output analysis for data preparation, gradual progress in policy use of macro-material flow information. Future research topics associated with resource recycling and waste management include analysis of composite materials such as metals in terms of material grade, estimation of indirect trade, prediction of future material flows, assessment of material stock in terms of waste management and resource reutilization, construction of a database based on common terminology, response to other issues regarding material flow indicators.
