Material Flow Analysis of the Wood-Based Value Chains in a Rapidly Changing Bioeconomy: A Literature Review

Material Flow Analysis (MFA) is a key tool in the circular bioeconomy, providing insight into the flow of materials within a system. Its use in the wood-based value chain is increasingly recognized and provides valuable information for policy making. However, to the best of our knowledge, this topic has never been systematically reviewed. To fill this gap, this study developed a systematic literature review of MFA research in the wood-based value chain. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 were identified via databases such as Scopus and Google Scholar and analyzed in detail to identify and deepen different approaches to MFA with reference to its conceptualization, scope, and methodological implementation. Based on our review we categorized various MFA models based on their scale and scope, revealing significant diversity in methodological terms and data requirements. The results emphasize the existing MFA approaches often face limitations due to inconsistent data quality and lack of detailed product-level analyses. This research provides practical insights on improving data collection methods, such as standardizing input datasets and incorporating economic and social indicators, to enhance the reliability of MFA studies. It also provides guidelines for implementing MFA models aligned with circular economy principles, integrating both traditional and emerging wood products streams. These insights offer valuable directions for future research aimed at more accurately capturing the complexities of wood flows, promoting better resource management, and supporting policy formulation in the bioeconomy sector. The findings of this review underscore the importance of adopting holistic and integrated methodologies that incorporate new bio-based materials and circular economy principles, ensuring that MFA continues to be an effective tool for advancing sustainable resource management in the forest sector.