A new REMADE research and development project, announced as part of RFP5 awards on Dec. 1, 2021, was featured in a story in The Verge titled, “Scientists are building an AI-powered robot to take apart your old phone.” The R&D project, “Improving Recycling Efficiency of Portable Electronics by Automating Battery Disassembly,” is led by Idaho National Laboratory and is comprised of project team members University at Buffalo, Iowa State University, and e-waste recycler Sunnking. According to the story, “if such technology can be commercialized, researchers are hopeful it could vastly improve the recycling of smartphones and other small, portable electronics.”
REMADE Announces Request For Information to Turbocharge the U.S.’s Transition to a Circular Economy
REMADE Announces Request For Information to Turbocharge the U.S.’s Transition to a Circular Economy
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jan. 21, 2022 — The REMADE Institute, a 141-member public-private partnership established by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) with an initial investment of $140 million, today issued a Request for Information (RFI) to further accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy.
Responses to REMADE’s RFI will inform revisions to the Institute’s technology roadmap, which is currently focused on reducing the use of raw and virgin, or primary, materials; increasing remanufacturing and the use and supply of recycled, or secondary, materials; and fostering circular innovations. The RFI will also address REMADE’s sustainability strategy, including developing Circular Economy approaches that will help address climate change economy-wide.
At the recent U.N. climate conference, COP26, in Glasgow, Scotland, experts from across the globe — including REMADE members, partners and stakeholders — discussed Circular Economy solutions to achieve net-zero by 2050. REMADE CEO Nabil Nasr said the Institute’s RFI is a natural next step.
“Over the last five years, REMADE has invested or allocated more than $85.6 million to develop innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption and decrease carbon emissions,” Nasr said. “Given REMADE’s projected impacts so far, it’s important to see how we can further accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy — to turbocharge it.”
The connection between industrial development and climate change is significant. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, manufacturing accounts for 25% of U.S. energy consumption at a cost of approximately $150 billion. Based on data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, industry is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the nation at 30%.
This is why a circular approach to manufacturing — “make-use-reuse-remanufacture-recycle” — is so important, Nasr said.
“If we don’t reduce industrial energy consumption and industrial emissions, research shows we will only get a little more than halfway to net-zero by 2050, about 55% of the way,” he said. “A Circular Economy approach to how we manufacture and use everyday products can help us get all the way to net-zero.”
REMADE Chief Technology Officer Magdi Azer says the Institute has focused its efforts and investment dollars on increasing the reuse, remanufacturing, recovery and recycling of four energy-intensive material classes: metals, plastics/polymers, fibers, and electronic waste (e-waste). In addition to seeking feedback regarding these current activities, the RFI asks where REMADE should focus its efforts relative to electric vehicles (EV) and photovoltaic (PV) solar power as part of the Institute’s future planning.
“Having invested in a suite of technologies to increase the reuse, remanufacturing, recovery and recycling of metals, polymers, fibers and e-waste, REMADE is evaluating how to proactively respond to megatrends such as climate change, resource scarcity, and technological breakthroughs in its research agenda,” Azer said. “The RFI will assist us in answering these questions.”
Those interested in learning more can read the detailed RFI here. Innovators and researchers with industry, academia, government, and the non-profit sector who are interested and involved in the nation’s transition to a Circular Economy are especially encouraged to respond. Responses can be submitted in either short-form or long-form.
For details on REMADE’s 2020 Technology Roadmap, review the Institute’s roadmap here.
REMADE, part of the nation’s Manufacturing USA® network of 16 advanced manufacturing institutes, and its members are developing technology solutions that are capable of:
Saving more than 1 Quad of energy per year, which is the equivalent of conserving more than 180 million barrels of oil a year
Reducing 50 million metric tons per year in greenhouse gas emissions, which is the equivalent of eliminating the annual emissions of 11.5 million cars
Increasing the supply and use of recycled materials by more than 40 million metric tons per year
Creating up to 700,000 direct and indirect jobs, enhancing the U.S. economy and increasing the nation’s competitiveness
Responses to REMADE’s RFI are due by 5 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022.
About REMADE
Founded in 2017, REMADE is a 141-member public-private partnership established by the U.S. Department of Energy with an initial investment of $140 million. REMADE is the only national institute focused entirely on the development of innovative technologies to accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy. In partnership with industry, academia, and national laboratories, REMADE enables early-stage applied research and development that will create jobs, dramatically reduce embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the supply and use of recycled materials. The cumulative, five-year embodied energy savings, greenhouse gas reduction, and increase in recycled materials use expected to result from REMADE’s investment is approximately 1 Quad of energy, about 50 million metric tons of CO2equivalent greenhouse gas reduction, and more than a 40 million metric tons per year increase in the supply and use of recycled materials, respectively. For additional information about REMADE, visit www.remadeinstitute.org.
For additional information, contact:
Megan Connor Murphy
Director, Marketing and Communications
REMADE Institute
585-213-1036 office
585-339-8379 cell
REMADE Launches New Training Offering in Systems Analysis for the Circular Economy
Barbara Reck
Senior Research Scientist, Yale University School for the Environment, and Systems Analysis & Integration Node Lead, REMADE Institute
Registration is now open for live online training, Jan. 24 and 26
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — January 19, 2022 — The REMADE Institute, a 141-member public-private partnership established by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) with an initial investment of $140 million, today launched its newest online training offering and certificate pathway in Systems Analysis for the Circular Economy.
A live, online, three-hour certificate training on the topic - part of the Institute’s REMADE Academy - will take place over two days next week. It is scheduled to run from 12:00-1:30 pm ET on Monday, Jan. 24, and from 12:00-1:30 pm ET on Wednesday, Jan. 26.
The course, titled “Systems Analysis and First Insights From REMADE Projects,” will be taught by Dr. Barbara Reck, a Senior Research Scientist with the Yale School of the Environment, and Node Leader, Systems Analysis and Integration, with REMADE. Learning objectives of the course include introductions to:
The Circular Economy concept, its motivation and goals
Material Flow Analysis, the research questions it addresses (e.g., material efficiency, future scrap supply), and examples
Life Cycle Assessment, the research questions it addresses, how it complements MFA in systems analyses, and examples
Calculation of recycling metrics “end-of-life recycling rate” and “recycled content,” barriers to their improvement, and examples for different materials
Techno-Economic Analysis, the research questions it addresses (e.g., cost of current and future technologies), with examples
Systems Analysis and how a holistic use of the above mentioned tools creates new insights for REMADE that help prioritize future research
The live, three-hour training is open to all. Innovators, researchers and leaders in industry, academia, government, and the non-profit sector who are interested in learning more about the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy are especially encouraged to attend.
Instruction will focus on metals, plastics/polymers, and fibers, including paper and textiles. A certificate of completion will be issued to participants upon successful passage of a quiz to validate course attendance.
To register for training, click here. Cost is free for REMADE members and is $450 for non-members.
In her role at REMADE, Reck’s work helps identify and prioritize opportunities to save energy and reduce embodied emissions across product design, material optimization, reuse and remanufacturing, and recycling and recovery initiatives. In her nearly 20-year research career in the field of industrial ecology, she has focused on evaluating how sustainably materials are used in society, information relevant to environmental and resource policy as well as Circular Economy assessments. Prior to her research career, Dr. Reck worked in industry as Manager of Environmental Affairs for Lufthansa Airlines.
Reck holds an MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences in Bingen, Germany, and the Technical University of Berlin in Berlin, Germany, respectively.
Through its REMADE Academy, the Institute offers members more than 50 hours of online training content focused on systems analysis, design, materials optimization, remanufacturing and end-of-life, and recycling and recovery of four energy-intensive material classes: metals, plastics/polymers, fibers, and electronic waste.
For more information and to learn more about REMADE’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) offerings, visit EWD Overview — The REMADE Institute.
About REMADE
Founded in 2017, REMADE is a 141-member public-private partnership established by the U.S. Department of Energy with an initial investment of $140 million. REMADE is the only national institute focused entirely on the development of innovative technologies to accelerate the U.S.’s transition to a Circular Economy. In partnership with industry, academia, and national laboratories, the REMADE Institute enables early-stage applied research and development that will create jobs, dramatically reduce embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the supply and use of recycled materials. The cumulative, five-year embodied energy savings, greenhouse gas reduction and increase in recycled materials use expected to result from this investment is approximately 1 Quad of energy, about 50 million metric tons of CO2equivalent greenhouse gas reduction, and more than a 40 million metric tons per year increase in the supply and use of recycled materials, respectively. For additional information about the REMADE Institute, visit www.remadeinstitute.org.
For additional information contact:
Megan Connor Murphy
Director, Marketing and Communications
REMADE Institute
585-213-1036 office
585-339-8379 cell
mconnormurphy@remadeinstitute.org
New Member: Solvus Global, LLC
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Solvus Global, LLC as a new Member to our growing membership base.
At Solvus Global, they harness the power of a creative and multi-disciplinary team to solve difficult problems through development and commercialization of next-generation technology.
New Member: University of Nevada, Reno
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome University of Nevada, Reno as a new Academic Member to our growing membership base.
Top tier. Top in research. Top in engagement.
Founded in 1874, the University was established as Nevada’s land-grant institution under the Morrill Act of 1862, signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln. Today, the University is recognized as a top National University by U.S. News & World Report, one of the country's top research institutions by the Carnegie® Classification and a Carnegie® Engaged University.
Research that turns discovery into prosperity.
Through the University's division of Research & Innovation, we have created an "innovation ecosystem" with community partnerships and engaged outreach to drive economic development and prosperity for all Nevadans. Because of this focus, Reno has become a burgeoning global technology hub, home to the Tesla Gigafactory, Microsoft Licensing, Switch, Panasonic, Sierra Nevada Corporation and more.
New Member: DTG Recycling Group
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome DTG Recycling Group as a new Member to our growing membership base.
DTG Recycle is the largest commercial recycler of C&D, industrial and manufacturing waste in the Pacific Northwest. Our mission is to reduce waste, conserve resources, and create jobs.
We strive for a zero-waste future through innovative sorting techniques and the development of products and alternative energy fuels made from recycled materials. With nearly 300 employees, over 1000 roll-off and recycling containers, and eight material recovery facilities, we offer convenient, innovative ways to recycle with the best customer service in the industry.
We are Customer Focused and Planet Obsessed.
New Member: Renewance
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Renewance as a new Member to our growing membership base.
Renewance, Inc. is a leading provider of software solutions, consultancy and project management services for handling industrial batteries throughout their useful life cycle as well as managing their end-of-life liabilities.
Renewance’s comprehensive knowledge of the applicable product compliance, environmental and transportation regulations, our extensive network of logistics, field services engineers, recycling partners, and our project management experience enable us to deliver the most cost-effective, eco-friendly and compliant stewardship solutions for our clients’ industrial batteries — from commissioning through end of life.
The goal of our services is to save you significant time and resources that can be better devoted to your core business activities. Our services include enabling clients with defective or end-of life batteries to determine the most advantageous recycle or reuse solution on our Renewance Connect™ platform; to compare, select and contract turnkey recycling solutions project managed by Renewance and executed by certified partners; and to utilize other software solutions and services to ease management of battery energy storage assets throughout the full life cycle, including management of warranty and performance guarantees, and regulatory compliance services to minimize risk. Outsourcing these tasks to Renewance saves our clients significant time and resources, which can be better devoted to their core business activities.
New Member: Trane Technologies
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Trane Technologies as a new Member to our growing membership base.
Founded as a family plumbing business in 1885, Trane incorporated after creating an innovative low-pressure steam heating system. The company continued to launch groundbreaking products, like Turbovac, a type of water chiller that fundamentally altered the industry’s approach to large-building air conditioning systems.
In 1940, the first transport refrigeration unit is patented, allowing trucks to carry fresh, perishable food to anywhere in the country. The landmark invention revolutionized the supermarket and restaurant industry.
Following Thermo King’s acquisition in 1997 and Trane in 2008 — two industry heavyweights known for progressive innovation. Along with a diverse portfolio of top companies in the industry, Trane Technologies sets its sights on creating a sustainable future for our planet.
New Member: West Virginia University
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome West Virginia University as a new Academic Member to our growing membership base.
As a land-grant institution, the faculty, staff and students at West Virginia University commit to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that advances education, healthcare and prosperity for all by providing access and opportunity; by advancing high-impact research; and by leading transformation in West Virginia and the world through local, state and global engagement.
New Member: Steel Manufacturers Association
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) as a new Member to our growing membership base.
SMA is the largest steel industry trade association in the United States and is the primary trade association representing North American EAF steel producers. EAF steelmakers account for over 70 percent of domestic steelmaking capacity using an innovative, 21st-century production process that is less energy-intensive and has lower carbon emissions than traditional steelmaking.
New Member: Energy Research Company (ERCo)
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Energy Research Co. (ERCo) as a new Industry Member to our growing membership base.
Energy Research Co. (ERCo) has developed laser diagnostic technologies to measure in-situ and in real time the chemistry of materials!
Energy Research Company (ERCo), formed in 1991, is a small high-tech company that conducts research in industrial energy and emissions related areas. ERCo has a number of federal and state R&D technology contracts as well as funding from commercial sources. ERCo develops technologies that it owns and typically licenses to others for commercial deployment. Also, ERCo consults to other companies on technology matters and assists them in obtaining R&D technology or demonstration grants.
REMADE Announces $33 Million in New Technology Research
REMADE Announces $33 Million in New Technology Research
Institute Selects 23 Projects in Latest Round of Funding
The REMADE Institute, a 132-member public-private partnership established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with an initial investment of $140 million, today announced $33.2 million in new technology research, selecting 23 new projects as part of the Institute’s latest round of funding.
This latest round of investment is cost-shared between REMADE and the funding recipients. The 23 R&D projects are expected to lead to technologies capable of:
Increasing recycled, or secondary, materials by as much as 8.9 million metrics tons per year
Saving up to 407 petajoules (PJ) of embodied energy per year — the equivalent of conserving 66.5 million barrels of oil per year
Decrease greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 24.1 million metric tons per year — eliminating the annual emissions of more than 5.2 million cars
New Member: Building Transparency
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Building Transparency as a new Industry Member to our growing membership base.
Building Transparency is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides open access data and tools that support broad and swift action across the building industry in addressing embodied carbon’s role in climate change. Formed in 2020, Building Transparency hosts, manages and maintains the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, which provides thousands of digitized EPDs in a free, open-source database. Building Transparency strives to provide the resources and education necessary to promote adoption of the EC3 tool, including through the official materialsCAN program, and works with global policymakers to shape a better building future.
New Member: DOW
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome DOW as a new Industry Member to our growing membership base.
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020.
REMADE 2021 Member Meeting
Registration is now open for the REMADE Institute’s 2021 Member Meeting! This members-only event will take place virtually from 11 am to 5 pm ET on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 16-17.
Hear the latest on the state of the institute and plans for the future as REMADE gets ready to mark its fifth anniversary in January; learn more about the Circular Economy’s role in addressing climate change and industrial decarbonization; hear insights from prominent industry keynote speakers; and meet some of our newest members.
Join us for this highly informative, member-exclusive event!
National Manufacturing Month
October is National Manufacturing Month. As 1 of 16 advanced manufacturing institutes that comprise the Manufacturing USA network, REMADE is proud to be part of the nation’s efforts to advance innovative technologies, increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, ensure the resiliency of our supply chain, and create good-paying jobs.
Combined, the nation’s 16 Manufacturing USA institutes have 4,129 project partners & $1.6B in private-sector support, with a total investment of $3.1B.
For more information about REMADE and the other institutes, review our recent joint piece.
Response to IPCC Climate Report
REMADE CEO Nabil Nasr responds to the recent IPCC Climate Report, which the UN chief described as a “code red for humanity.” In his essay, which first appeared in the Democrat and Chronicle on Aug. 29, 2021, Dr. Nasr says a Circular Economy approach to how we make and use things – how we manufacture and use everyday products – can be part of the solution in getting us to net zero by 2050.
New Member: SER North America
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome SER North America as a new Industry Member to our growing membership base.
SER is a processor and recycler of post-industrial and post-consumer polypropylene and polyethylene, serving a wide variety of markets and offering to its customers a flexible production, consistent high quality and technical support, satisfying different needs for colors, packaging and delivery. Its aim is to recycle plastics to produce new green raw materials for the American market, and it focuses on the development and production of post-consumer and post-industrial plastics for technical applications.
How it’s remade — Plastics in Packaging
REMADE’s Ed Daniels discusses the Institute’s plastics and polymers R&D projects and shares his insights on where he thinks polymer research is headed in this Plastics in Packaging story.
New Member: Electronic Recyclers International, Inc.
The REMADE Institute is pleased to welcome Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. as a new Industry Member to our growing membership base.
With a mission to safeguard organizations, people and the environment, ERI is the largest fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company in the United States, and possibly the world.