ReMA advocates for recycled materials in 2026 Energy Assessment

The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), Washington, has submitted comments to the Department of Energy (DOE) in response to its request for information (RFI) regarding the 2026 Energy Critical Materials (ECMs) Assessment.

The DOE issued the RFI June 25, seeking public input from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, tribes and other stakeholders to inform DOE’s 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment. Critical materials, such as neodymium, cobalt, electrical steel, lithium and gallium, are vital for the U.S. economy, national security and resilient energy supply chains, the agency says.

Materials are evaluated and screened based on their importance to the energy sector and supply risk. The 2023 Critical Materials Assessment considered 38 materials used in eight major technologies, of which 23 materials were ultimately evaluated for criticality.

The president issued Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy, Jan. 20, which in part sets a policy to establish the United States as a leading producer and processor of nonfuel minerals, including rare earth minerals. The executive order also directs the Secretary of Energy to ensure critical mineral projects, including the processing of critical minerals, receive consideration for federal support, contingent on the availability of appropriated funds.

In the comments, submitted July 25, ReMA says it shared that the recycled materials industry is vital to the U.S. manufacturing and material supply chains, noting that more than 70 percent of steel and 80 percent of aluminum produced domestically are made from recovered metals.

“ReMA and the recycled materials industry are ready to support and participate in the establishment of strong domestic supply chains for ECMs,” ReMA Chief Scientist David Wagger says. “As manufacturers increasingly look for more materials for production, the recycled materials industry will be a key partner in securing the manufacturing supply chain.”

In its comments, ReMA suggested that recycled ECMs can be used in manufacturing. Based on DOE’s 2023 assessment, ECMs include cobalt, lithium, magnesium, neodymium and nickel and come from natural resources, but recyclable ECMs could be obtained from used or obsolete products and materials from industrial and manufacturing operations as well as from the commercial, institutional and residential sectors. The need for market-based movement of recycled materials in the U.S. and across borders is a critical pillar to the success of the recycled materials industry domestically and globally, and ultimately of the broader manufacturing economy, the association adds.

The comments also note that when restrictive policies and practices, such as tariffs, quotas, licensing requirements or outright bans are enacted, they narrow the free movement of recyclables to countries and regions where they could be in demand.