New ReMA Member Spotlight Refined Catalyst Solutions, LLC

Based in Hebron, Ohio, Refined Catalyst Solutions, LLC is a rapidly growing recycled materials company specializing in spent automotive and industrial catalysts. The company operates 10 locations across the United States, four in Canada, one in Latin America, and one in India.

Refined Catalyst Solutions offers multiple transaction options tailored to customer needs, including purchasing spent catalytic converters and industrial catalyst material by the piece and/or on recovery terms. The company supports its customers through a data-driven software platform, hedging and pooling capabilities, and on-site processing at its 76,000-square-foot facility in Hebron, Ohio.

ReMA News spoke with Managing Partner Joel Glaser to learn more about the company, its decision to join ReMA, and its vision for the future.

Tell me about yourself and Refined Catalyst Solutions:

My name is Joel Glaser, and I am a Managing Partner at Refined Catalyst Solutions, LLC, headquartered in Hebron, Ohio. My family entered the recycling industry in 1982 with the founding of Legend Smelting and Recycling, and I have been immersed in the business ever since.

I began my career on the production floor, decanning catalytic converters, processing non-ferrous metals, and loading and unloading trucks. Over time, I advanced into operations management and later transitioned into a purchasing role, traveling nationwide to procure catalytic converters and non-ferrous materials. In 2010, I opened a new location in Florida and ultimately advanced to Chief Executive Officer at Legend Smelting and Recycling.

This experience provided a strong foundation in metals identification, trading, customer relationships, and the operational disciplines required to build a successful recycling business.

Refined Catalyst Solutions came together quickly. The concept took shape in December, and we were operational by January. The company was founded by Managing Partners Joel Glaser, Amber Workman, Oliver Cook, Matt Norris, Cristian Bortolotti, and Sean Duane.

We focus exclusively on spent automotive catalysts, offering both piece-based and assay-based purchasing, along with hedging, pooling, and on-site processing at our 75,000-square-foot Hebron facility. Today, with our partners Larush Business Solutions, we operate 16 locations across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and India, and we continue to expand through strategic partnerships and a commitment to serving customers where they operate.

How did you hear about ReMA, and what led you to join?

Joining ReMA was a natural decision for us. My family has been involved with the association for many years, both as ISRI and now as ReMA, and I have personally attended numerous events and conferences over the years.

The relationships, resources, and credibility that come with ReMA membership are invaluable. When we launched Refined Catalyst Solutions, joining the association was one of our first priorities. For a company built on trust and long-term relationships, being part of ReMA is simply part of doing business the right way.

What excites you most about being a ReMA member?

I am particularly excited to reconnect with long-standing industry relationships and to introduce Refined Catalyst Solutions to the broader ReMA community.

Our managing partners bring a deep level of experience, expertise, and industry relationships, and ReMA provides an ideal platform to strengthen those connections while building new ones. The association’s resources and insights help us stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and advocacy efforts.

As the recycled materials industry continues to evolve, being actively engaged with ReMA ensures we remain at the forefront of those developments.

What are your short and long-term goals for the company?

In the near term, our focus is on expanding our capabilities and strengthening our domestic collection network by adding additional locations across the country. At the same time, we are committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and rewarding work environment for our team members.

Expanding our footprint allows us to better serve our customers, reduce logistical challenges, and build stronger regional relationships: something we have already experienced within our current network. The growth we have seen in our first few months reinforces the strong demand for our model.

Long term, our philosophy remains centered on building careers, not jobs, for our team. We plan to continue expanding our capabilities, whether through additional processing steps, new product lines, enhanced software tools, or a combination of all three.

We also see meaningful opportunity for international expansion. With an existing presence in Canada, India, and Latin America through Larush Business Solutions, and continued growth in Mexico, we are well-positioned to expand our global reach.

Throughout this growth, one principle remains constant: we will never compromise our reputation. Our focus is always on our customers’ needs and how we can best support their businesses, regardless of market conditions or our stage of growth.

Where do you see the recycled materials industry heading in the coming years?

Within the spent catalyst sector, the near-term outlook remains strong. While there has been significant discussion around electric vehicles and their long-term impact, the reality is that internal combustion engine vehicles will continue entering end-of-life channels for the next 20 to 30 years.

The transition to electric vehicles will take time, particularly as infrastructure, capabilities, and consumer adoption continue to develop. In the interim, we expect continued growth in hybrid vehicles, which will further support demand in our PGM segment.

This provides a meaningful runway for continued investment, operational improvement, and market growth.

As with any commodity-driven industry, the precious metals market will continue to experience cycles. Our strategy is to remain disciplined and consistent regardless of market conditions. Companies that invest in strong relationships, efficient processing, and operational excellence will be best positioned to succeed, and that is exactly what we are building.