RIC and RIT to host global remanufacturing conference in Charlotte

The Remanufacturing Industries Council and Rochester Institute of Technology will bring industry, research and policy leaders to Charlotte from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 for the 2026 World Remanufacturing Conference. The event will focus on how remanufacturing drives business value, competitiveness and circular-economy growth.

Why it matters: - Remanufacturing can extend product life, preserve resources and create new business opportunities. - The conference is designed to connect business, research and policy leaders around practical ways to grow the industry. - The event will highlight how remanufacturing supports competitiveness and the circular economy across multiple sectors.

What happened: - The Remanufacturing Industries Council and Rochester Institute of Technology will host the 2026 RIC-RIT World Remanufacturing Conference. - The conference runs Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the Embassy Suites Charlotte Uptown in Charlotte, North Carolina. - The theme is “The Circular Advantage: Driving Value Through Reman.” - The program will include keynote presentations, expert panels, facility tours and networking.

The details: - Keynote speakers will come from Trane Technologies, Andersen Corporation, Amazon and Rolls-Royce. - Sessions will cover automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace and defense, rail, machinery manufacturing and medical device reprocessing. - Expert panels will address reverse logistics, standards, workforce development, product and system design, and global trade and market access. - The conference will include an exhibitor showcase featuring products, services and solutions for the industry. - Networking time is built in for business leaders, researchers and other stakeholders. - Facility tours will include Amazon’s CLT4 fulfillment center, a Trane Technologies remanufacturing facility and a Carolina Cat rebuild center. - The Sept. 29 conference dinner and RIC Distinguished Service Award presentation will be held from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. - The event uses Charlotte’s racing heritage as part of the “Circular Advantage” theme. - RIC will announce and honor this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient during the dinner. - For the conference agenda, registration, exhibiting and sponsorship information, visit conference details.

Between the lines: - The speaker lineup and session topics point to remanufacturing becoming a cross-industry business strategy, not a niche manufacturing topic. - The mix of panels, tours and networking suggests the conference is aiming to turn discussion into operational practice. - Charlotte’s industrial and racing identity gives the event a local hook while keeping the focus on global supply chains and circular-economy strategy.

What's next: - Attendees will use the conference to build partnerships, compare operational approaches and identify market opportunities. - RIC will use the annual event to advance collaboration, advocacy and education across the remanufacturing sector. - The organization will recognize a Distinguished Service Award recipient during the conference dinner on Sept. 29.