Society currently uses materials with a lower efficiency than is possible. Developments in material application and production show possibilities to reduce the demand for materials or improve material characteristics and hence save energy. However, the interactions between materials and also the relation with the energy system, are still difficult to assess.

Material efficiency is the amount of primary material that is needed to fulfil a specific function. The improvement of material efficiency allows the fulfilment of the same function with a reduced amount of material. This means that also energy will be saved. The measures that can be distinguished to increase material efficiency are:

• Good housekeeping, the reduction of the material consumption without changing the function or design.

• Material efficient product design, redesigning the product to a lower material intensity.

• Material substition, replacement of the original material by another material with a lower demand on primary energy.

• Product recycling, the renewed application of a product without changing the physical appearance.

• Material recycling, the recycling of materials used in a product.

• Quality cascading, the use of recycled, secondary material for a function with lower quality demands.