The　development　of　eco-materials　has　become　an　important　direction　of　materials　science.　Using　appropriate　methods　to　evaluate　the　environmental　impacts　caused　by　materials　production　is　important　for　eco-materials　research.　For　the　purpose　of　obtaining　more　objective　results　to　environment　impacts,　several　exergy-based　methods　to　indicate　resource　depletion　have　been　established.　However,　no　proper　exergy-based　evaluation　methods　for　emissions　in　China　have　been　reported.　The　objective　of　this　study　is　to　establish　comprehensive　exergy-based　characterization　model　for　life　cycle　assessment,　and　to　apply　this　model　to　steel　production.　©　(2015)　Trans　Tech　Publications,　Switzerland.