Episodes 43-

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 Karoliina Tuukkanen, Senior Specialist at Kiertotalous Pirkanmaa (Kipi), discusses the vital role of municipalities in driving circular economies. She highlights Kipi’s work in Pirkanmaa, including land allocation criteria for sustainable building projects and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors. With trust, new policies, and funding mechanisms, Karoliina shares her optimism about mainstreaming circular economy practices in regional ecosystems. 

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 In  In this special episode recorded live at Slush, we bring you transformative ideas from eight visionary guests redefining industries through circularity. From groundbreaking materials to innovative tech solutions, hear how these entrepreneurs and changemakers are tackling sustainability challenges and creating opportunities. Featuring insights from ENOUGH, Circularise, Winterent, MATR, Eco:fibr, Spin Ventures, KUORI, and Sensorita, this episode is a call to rethink how we design, produce, and consume. Join the conversation shaping the future of circularity! 

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 Kalle Määttä, Chief Growth Officer at ResQ Club, shares how the company’s digital marketplace connects consumers with surplus food from local vendors, rescuing 10,000 meals daily. He discusses ResQ Club’s mission to reduce food waste, recent expansion into wholesale, and the challenges of scaling globally. Learn how this Finnish company is driving sustainable consumption and creating a positive environmental impact. 

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 Michael sits down with Elin Bergman, Vice Chair at Cradlenet and co-founder of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, to explore circular economy trends in Sweden and the Nordics. Elin discusses impactful initiatives like the Circular Economy Outlook Report, the role of EU regulations like CSRD, and the growing secondhand market. She shares advice for businesses starting their circular journey and insights into Nordic collaboration in circularity. 

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 Anniina Virta-Toikka, VP of Sustainability at Konecranes, discusses integrating circular principles into crane manufacturing and lifting services. She highlights modular design, refurbishment, and electrification to extend product life cycles and reduce emissions. Anniina also explores sustainable supply chain practices, predictive maintenance innovations, and Konecranes’ net-zero ambitions, showcasing how circularity drives efficiency and sustainability across industrial sectors. 

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 Harald Friedl, founder of the Circular Economy Innovation Agency, reflects on over a decade of driving circular transformation across business, government, and society. He shares insights from Davos, the latest Circularity Gap Report, and innovations in agriculture, construction, and finance. With optimism for emerging technologies like AI and digital product passports, Harald envisions a future of waste-free cities, carbon-neutral industries, and thriving local economies. 

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 Jan Timm Utecht, CEO of Globe Hope, joins Michael to discuss how the company has led sustainable fashion for over 20 years by transforming discarded textiles into high-quality upcycled products. He shares insights on circular design, material innovation, and the evolving consumer mindset. Highlighting collaborations and the shift toward scalable recycled materials, Jan Timm envisions a future where circularity is fully embedded in fashion. 

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 Dominik Patzelt, Director of Business Development at VCG.AI, joins Michael to discuss how AI is transforming industrial side-streams into valuable resources. VCG.AI’s platform analyzes vast data to identify circular opportunities, helping businesses repurpose waste and adopt sustainable sourcing. From regulatory shifts to emerging AI capabilities, this episode explores how technology is accelerating circular business models and driving new revenue streams in the transition to sustainability. 

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 Vietnam is rapidly embracing circularity, and    Hong Quan Nguyen is leading the way. As Director of the Institute of Circular Economy Development, he works with government and industry to shape policy and drive innovation. In this episode, he shares insights on Vietnam’s Green Economy Strategy, circular policy challenges, and financing for SMEs, highlighting the country’s growing role in ASEAN’s circular transition. 

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  Finnair is rethinking aviation through circularity and Tarja Koski is leading the charge. As Senior Sustainability Manager, she’s driving Finnair’s efforts to embed circular economy practices across everything from catering to aircraft refurbishment. In this episode, Tarja shares insights on material innovation, supply chain collaboration, and how circularity complements emissions reduction in aviation. 

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 Peter Evans, a global expert in circular platforms and digital strategy, joins Michael to explore the trillion-dollar circular platform economy. They discuss key trends, challenges, and how companies like IKEA and Amazon are integrating circular marketplaces. Peter highlights the role of AI, digital product passports, and data-driven resale models in scaling circular solutions and shaping the future of commerce. 

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