U.S. major exporter of remanufactured goods, ITC says

   The United States is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of remanufactured goods, according to a new report by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
   Remanufacturing, which is the process of restoring end-of-life goods to original working condition, is an increasing activity in many industrial sectors and supports at least 180,000 jobs throughout the United States, the ITC report said. 
   The ITC’s report, based on survey data, covers the period 2009-11 and focuses on remanufacturing sectors that account for the majority of remanufacturing activity in the United States. 
   The Remanufactured Goods: An Overview of the U.S. and Global Industries, Markets, and Trade report provides an overview of the U.S. remanufactured goods industries and markets, including U.S. production and employment, estimated U.S. and global trade in these goods, and factors affecting trends in this trade.
   For example, the ITC study found during the period 2009-11 U.S. production of remanufactured goods grew by 15 percent to at least $43 billion. The largest U.S. remanufacturing sectors are aerospace, heavy-duty and off-road equipment, and motor vehicle parts.
   U.S. exports of remanufactured goods total $11.7 billion in 2011, up 50 percent compared to 2009, the ITC said. Canada, the European Union, and Mexico are important markets for U.S. exports of remanufactured goods. About 40 percent of U.S. remanufactured goods exports went to free trade agreement partners.
   However, the ITC report noted foreign regulatory barriers are a “significant impediment” to both U.S. and global trade in remanufactured goods. “The lack of a common definition of remanufactured goods hampers increased U.S. and global trade in remanufactured goods,” the non-partisan, fact-finding agency said.
   “The United States and the European Union account for the bulk of global remanufacturing activity and trade. Although Brazil, India, and China are developing their own remanufacturing industries in response to growing domestic demand, they tend to restrict trade in remanufactured goods and related inputs the most,” the ITC said.
   The report (Investigation No. 332-525, USITC Publication 4356, October 2012) will be available on the ITC’s Website.