Materials and Dematerialization Making the Modern World

World-renowned scientist Vaclav Smil examines a critical topic in the research and policy domain of sustainable resource use

Over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on unprecedented flows of materials. Now even the most efficient production processes and the highest practical rates of recycling may not be enough to result in dematerialization rates that would be high enough to negate the rising demand for materials generated by continuing population growth and rising standards of living.

Materials and Dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics and silicon, describing their extraction and production as well as their dominant applications. The evolving productivities of material extraction, processing, synthesis, finishing and distribution, and the energy costs and environmental impact of rising material consumption are examined in detail, along with the relationship between socio-economic development and resource use, including major technological and innovation aspects. The book concludes with an outlook for the future, discussing the prospects for dematerialization, potential constraints on materials, and an updated appraisal of material requirements and prospects during the coming decades.

Building on the success of his 2013 book, Vaclav Smil has thoroughly revised this landmark text to highlight advances that have taken place over the last decade, including a thorough review of statistics and references to 2022. This updated edition also includes new content to explicitly address material for global energy transition and for securing food for a still growing global population.

Praise for the 1^st edition

“Vaclav Smil keeps turning out amazing books. Making the Modern World, I just finished, and it’s pretty fantastic.” (Interview with Bill Gates, January 2014)

Vaclav Smil is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, Canada. His interdisciplinary research interests span the fields of energy, environmental and population change, food production, history of technical innovation, risk assessment, and public policy. He has published more than 40 books. Prof. Smil is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (Science Academy), and a Member of the Order of Canada.

PREFACE: WHY AND HOW                                                                                                           

1   WHAT GETS INCLUDED                                                                                                          

2   HOW WE GOT HERE                                                                                                                   

Materials used by organisms                                                                                      

Materials in prehistory                                                                                                    

                Ancient and medieval materials                                                                                

                Materials in the early modern era                                                                                                              

                Creating modern material civilization                                                                      

                Materials in the 20th century                                                                                     

3   WHAT MATTERS MOST                                                                                                     

                Biomaterials                                                                                                                        

Construction materials                                                                                                                   

Metals

Plastics

Industrial gases 

Fertilizers

Materials in electronics

4   HOW THE MATERIALS FLOW                                                                                    

Material flow accounts                                                                                                 

US and European material flows                                                                              

Materials in China’s modernization         

Energy cost of materials                                             

Life-cycle assessments

Recycling

5   ARE WE DEMATERIALIZING?                                                                                                   

Apparent dematerializations                                                                                      

Relative dematerialization: specific weight reductions                                                                     Consequences of dematerialization                                                                            

Relative dematerialization in modern economies                                              

Decarbonization and desulfurization

6   MATERIAL OUTLOOK

                Natural resources

                Materials for energy transition

Wasting less

                Circular economy; an impossible goal

Limits of dematerialization

References

Index

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