The 2026 REMADE Circular Economy Technology Summit & Conference will take place on March 11 and 12, 2026, in Washington, DC. The event is organised by the REMADE Institute, a public private partnership supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. It brings together researchers, manufacturers, policymakers and investors focused on reducing industrial waste and strengthening domestic material supply chains.
According to the official announcement, the summit will feature more than 50 peer reviewed research presentations. The focus is on technologies that improve reuse, remanufacturing, recovery and recycling of critical materials used in advanced manufacturing and energy systems. Topics include recovery of critical minerals, rare earth elements and innovations in textiles recycling.
The emphasis reflects growing pressure on supply chains. Governments and companies are seeking ways to reduce dependence on primary raw materials while lowering emissions linked to extraction and processing. Research supported by REMADE has consistently focused on cutting embodied energy in materials such as metals, polymers and fibers through circular production systems.
Focus on applied technology
Unlike broader sustainability forums, the REMADE summit concentrates on technical deployment. The agenda includes academic research, industrial case studies and technology demonstrations. The goal is practical implementation.
The Institute has previously stated that expanding reuse and remanufacturing capacity in the United States could significantly reduce industrial energy demand over the coming decades. The summit serves as a meeting point between laboratory innovation and commercial scale adoption.
A number of respected figures in sustainability and circular economy research are slated as keynote speakers. These include:
- Paul Ekins, professor of resources and environmental policy at University College London and author of a major global resources report.
- Nancy Bocken, professor in sustainable business and circular economy.
- John Shegerian, CEO of a leading material resource recovery firm.
- Representatives from industrial and research organisations such as CSIRO in Australia and Caterpillar Inc.
- Nabil Nasr, President and CEO of the REMADE Institute.
The speaker list reflects the event’s cross sector character. Academic research, heavy industry and resource recovery companies will share the same platform.
What is the longer perspective of this event?
The summit comes at a time when circular economy strategies are moving from concept to policy. In the United States and abroad, governments are linking circularity to industrial competitiveness and resource security. Critical minerals used in batteries, electronics and renewable energy systems are central to that discussion.
By focusing on measurable technological progress, the REMADE Circular Economy Tech Summit positions itself as a technical forum rather than a policy showcase. Its impact will depend on how effectively presented research moves into manufacturing systems.
In a period of volatile supply chains and rising material demand, that transition from research to industry may prove decisive.
