Material flow and circular economy

At present, the economy is increasingly internationally interconnected. Economic globalization requires systems approaches to promote sustainable economic development. The theory of material flow (MF) is one of the new theories that could positively contribute to the economic globalization. The theory of MF is also closely related to the concept of circular economy, as the pattern of material flow can be considered as a closed feedback process for circulatory purpose that is consisted of ‘resources‐production‐material flow‐consumption‐recycled resources’. It corresponds to the circular economy's development pattern of ‘resources‐products‐recycled resources’. In view of the pattern of material flow and its relevance to the circular economy, it is concluded that the theory of MF will contribute to the recirculation of natural resources, optimal utilization of resources, improving natural environment and especially the sustainable global economic development.