As the world's population and global standard of living increase, the role of metals in the economy will not diminish in the 21~st century, despite substiution and dematerialisation trends. Industrial Ecology is an emerging science that attempts to bring together physical, biological and social scientists and develop the tools for good management of the planet in the long run. In engineering terms, Industrial Ecology is defined as the reconfiguring of industrial activities with full knowledge of their environmental consequences. Production and use of materials must take into account the needs of both market and environment. Dispersive uses of metals will be phased out, as is being donw with lend in gasoline, and post-use recovery of materials and energy will increase. This will results in an advantage for materials and energy will increase.
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