Emergy Synthesis of Chinese Magnesium Production - A Case of "Maximum Power" at Work

This work is based on a previous Life Cycle Analysis [Cherubini et al., 2005], which has been thoroughly revised and updated taking into account the rapidly changing world magnesium market. In particular, Chinese Mg production by means of the Pidgeon process has surged, and now accounts for almost three quarters of the total world production. The authors intend to focus here on the results of their investigation of this widely used mineral industry process by means of the Emergy Synthesis method. Transformity values, as well as relevant indicators such as Emergy Yield Ratio, Environmental Loading Ratio and Emergy Sustainability Index are calculated and discussed. The paper also bears theoretical relevance in contributing to the ongoing research effort by the authors and other colleagues towards the correct interpretation of these Emergy indicators (cf. Ulgiati et al., 2005; Raugei et al., 2005).