Material flow analysis (MFA) is the study of the movement of materials through a system or process. It is often used to track the flow of resources, energy, and waste in industrial operations. Synonyms for MFA include material balance, resource flow analysis, material cycle assessment, and industrial ecology. These terms reflect the different aspects of MFA, including the need to balance inputs and outputs, conserve resources, and minimize waste. Other related terms include life cycle analysis, sustainability assessment, and environmental impact assessment, which are all methods for evaluating the environmental impact of products, processes, and systems. Regardless of the terminology used, MFA is an essential tool for identifying opportunities to optimize resource use and reduce waste in industrial systems.