substance flow analysis

Substance flow analysis (SFA) is a method used to track and quantify the movement of materials, such as resources or chemicals, within a defined system—like a region, industry, or process. It maps how substances enter, transform, and leave the system, providing a clear picture of their flow and stock levels. This helps identify sources, sinks, inefficiencies, and environmental impacts, supporting better decision-making for resource management, sustainability, and policy development. Essentially, SFA acts like a detailed map of how specific substances travel through and across different parts of a system.