Orefine is pioneering next-generation materials recovery and purification technologies in the United States, and we’re growing fast. We’re actively hiring across multiple teams.

If you’re driven, curious, and excited to be part of a company transforming how high-value materials are recovered, we want to meet you. Explore our open roles and join us in building the future of sustainable materials recovery.

Explore our open roles on Indeed.com »

Oklahoma Aerospace Forum | November 5, 2025

Orefine’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Kimberly Yearick Spangler, spoke at the Oklahoma Aerospace Forum last week, outlining how the United States can strengthen its industrial base by rebuilding capability in critical materials. Her presentation, “From Dependence to Capability,” traced the path from raw resources to refined outputs, focusing on the chemistry, engineering, and production that enable modern defense and manufacturing.

Dr. Spangler explained that materials such as rare earths, niobium, and tantalum are not rare but indispensable, forming the foundation for everything from aircraft alloys to advanced electronics. She emphasized that true capability comes from the ability to refine, qualify, and manufacture these materials domestically rather than simply mine them abroad.

Drawing on her years managing major R&D programs within the Department of Defense, she discussed the persistent gap between laboratory success and reliable production. She described how innovation often falters during the handoff from research to manufacturing and how companies like Orefine are working to close that gap through disciplined execution, process control, and industrial alignment.

Her remarks highlighted growing national momentum, including new separation plants, magnet facilities, and chemical processing hubs taking shape across the country. These developments signal that America is beginning to re-establish a secure materials foundation.

To sustain that momentum, Dr. Spangler outlined five priorities for long-term success in critical materials:

1. Clear demand signals – steady commitments that allow long-term planning.
2. Patient capital – investment that recognizes industrial timelines are measured in years and that returns are strategic as well as financial.
3. Workforce development – strong pipelines through community colleges, universities, and technical programs.
4. Regulatory clarity – predictable permitting and clear environmental standards that attract private investment.
5. Competitive collaboration – companies, universities, and government labs sharing pre-competitive research and standards while competing vigorously where it counts.

Dr. Spangler concluded with a message about purpose and timing. “This is a builder’s moment for America’s industrial base,” she said. “The pilot plants, partnerships, and investments taking shape today will decide what we make here, what we rely on others for, and what we pass down. If we stay focused and keep building, America’s industrial base will remain strong, adaptable, and ready for whatever comes next.”

For more on how the Orefine team is advancing U.S. capability in materials processing and supply, visit our company page.