Analysis Of Cobalt Global Trade Network Based On Life Cycle

Cobalt is a silver-white metal with high temperature resistance,corrosion resistance and strong magnetic properties.It is one of the important raw materials for the manufacture of high temperature alloys,cemented carbides,ceramic pigments,catalysts,batteries,etc.Due to the significant spatial differences in the origin,processing and consumption of cobalt resources,the safe supply of cobalt resources is facing severe challenges,and the world’s major economies are increasingly concerned about cobalt metals.This paper combines material flow analysis with complex network methods to build a life cycle-based global cobalt material flow analysis framework,systematically sorting out the typical cobalt-containing products trade list,and revealing through the establishment of a complex network model of cobalt-containing products global trade from 2008 to 2017.The complex network characteristics of global cobalt trade characterize the life cycle of global cobalt trade and analyze China’s status in the international trade network of cobalt-containing products.Through the establishment of a complex network model for global trade of cobaltcontaining products,it is found that from the perspective of the key links of the life cycle of cobalt based on global trade:(1)The number of countries involved in the global trade of cobalt ore is the least,and the degree of globalization is low.(2)Cobaltcontaining raw materials are the largest link of cobalt in global trade.(3)Among the products used in the cobalt use phase,the largest part of the participating countries is the magnet trade,the largest cobalt trade volume is the battery trade,and the most closely traded network is the battery and magnet trade.(4)The network of cobaltbearing waste links is the lowest,and the links between countries are relatively sparse.A study of the status and status of China’s cobalt-containing products in international trade has resulted in:(1)China’s net imports of cobalt ore,cobaltcontaining superalloys and cobalt-containing catalysts;net export of cobalt-containing raw materials,batteries,cemented carbide,magnets,and pigments,Enamel,other products and cobalt waste.(2)China has strong control over trade in cobalt ore,cobaltcontaining raw materials,cobalt cemented carbide,catalysts and pigments,and enamel trade.At the waste stage,China only exports cobalt waste,which does not act as an intermediary bridge to the trade.(3)China’s imports of cobalt ore have a strong dependence on Congo(Gold),and supply risks are greater.Based on the above conclusions,it is recommended that China develop domestic and foreign cobalt supply and establish stable trade relations with cobalt supplier countries and downstream product demand suppliers.Adjust the trade structure of cobalt-containing products and improve the production technology of net imported products.