ReMA Leadership Makes Connections, Highlights Opportunities Ahead of IMRC2026 in India

ReMA President Robin Wiener, ReMA Chair Colin Kelly, ReMA Chair-Elect Andy Golding, and Adam Shaffer ReMA’s Vice President of International Trade and Global Affairs have had a busy week in India. The group had the chance to travel to India the week before the International Material Recycling Conference and Exposition in Jaipur (IMRC2026) to build meaningful connections, visit member operations, and recognize the value of recycled materials around the world.

The ReMA team had the chance to visit two member operations in Bhanvagar, in the Indian State of Gujarat: GreenMet International LLP and Alang Ship Breaking Yard. First, they met Asif Fatani of GreenMet International to see how electric motors are processed for recovery of copper and aluminum for manufacturing into new products.

At the Alang Ship Breaking Yard, the group had an inside look at the largest ship recycling area anywhere in the world, accounting for more than 30% of global ship breaking by volume. With more than 100 ship recycling plots across Alang, LNG ships, oil tankers, car ferries, container ships, ocean liners, and the like are all dismantled for recovery of heavy melt steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and other metals. There is also a significant reuse market at Alang for furniture, machinery, marine components, and more.

On Thursday, January 15, Shaffer andKellymet with officials from the U.S. Commercial Service at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. The meeting, with Jonathan Heimer, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Ritu Arora, Senior Commercial Specialist, focused primarily on continued promotion of exports of recycled materials to India, which includes the updates of ReMA’s ISRI Specifications and the fulfillment of the ReMA grant under the U.S. Commerce Department’s Market Development Cooperator Program.

On the morning of January 19, the ReMA team had breakfast with Bineesha Payattati, MRAI Advisor and organizer of efforts within India/MRAI to empower women in the industry. She was the impetus behind the Women’s Student Program happening later that day at the University of Jaipur Campus. The event brought together between 600-700 female students to hear about career opportunities in the industry and to sign a Circular Economy Pledge as part of Modi’s Mission Life Campaign.

“One of the greatest privileges of my work is visiting recycling operations around the world especially in India and other regions where women are still finding their voices,” Wiener said. “When I walk through the yards, I make a point to stop and talk with the women working there, simply to acknowledge them and each time the response humbles me.”

She noted that the women she meets often light up when someone takes time to see them, ask their name, and thank them for the work they do every day.

“There is joy in the moment and a deep, shared humanity,” she added. “They thank me for stopping by to notice them. But the reality is that when I walk away, I’m the one who feels grateful.”