Material flow management (MFM) is a method of efficiently managing materials.

Material flow management is the goal oriented, efficient use of materials, material streams and energy. The goals are given by ecological and economical areas and by observing social aspects. (in "Protection of human beings and environment", by an Enquete Commission of the German Bundestag)

This triple jump of environmental, social and economical orientation makes MFM a tool of high importance in the field of Sustainable Development (SD)

Sustainable development

Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...

 and Circular Economy (CE).
Seen historically Material Flow Management is a relatively new tool that can be understood as an implementation-orientated advancement of the methodology of Material Flow Analysis (MFA)

Material flow analysis

Material flow analysis is an analytical method of quantifying flows and stocks of materials or substances in a well-defined system. MFA is an important tool to assess the physical consequences of human activities and needs in the field of Industrial Ecology, where it is used on different spatial...

. MFM was established as a policy tool after the UN conference in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...

1992. The German “Bundestag” clearly outlined the targets and specific goals of MFM in a special report by an Enquete Commission.