Episodes 54-63

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Alvaro Conde, lead author of the Circularity Gap Report 2025, breaks down why the world’s circularity rate has dropped to just 6.9% and what that means for business, policy, and the planet. He explores why circular strategies are struggling to scale, how linear systems remain deeply entrenched, and what companies can do to unlock value through circular innovation. Hear how collaboration, data, and mindset shifts can close the gap and build a more resilient global economy.

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  Recorded live at ARKI135 during WCEF2025, this special episode brings together Woamy, Lumene, and Fazer to explore how circularity is reshaping packaging, beauty, and food. From regulatory shifts to breakthrough collaborations, hear how startups and industry leaders are scaling sustainable innovation.

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Mikko Pihavaara, Head of Sales Partnerships & Hospitality at FC St. Pauli, joins Michael to explore how one of football’s most iconic clubs is redefining sustainability in sports. They discuss St. Pauli’s unique approach to purpose-driven partnerships, circular hospitality, and community-led innovation, from vegan bratwurst and recycled jerseys to solar-powered stadiums and social impact programs. Mikko shares why values, not visibility, are the key to meaningful collaboration in the game and beyond. 

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Kristina Kölling, Head of Environment & Circular Economy at Tchibo, shares how one of Germany’s most iconic retail brands is embedding circularity across its diverse product portfolio, from textiles to electronics. She explains the thinking behind Tchibo’s Circular Solutions Lab, how internal education has fueled transformation, and why good products from a good company still matter most to customers. Discover how circular design, business model innovation, and co-creation with consumers are shaping Tchibo’s future.

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 Harsha Reddy, Global Head of Sustainability at Indorama Ventures, shares how one of the world’s largest PET producers is scaling circularity from the inside out. From building recycling capacity to shifting corporate mindsets, Harsha reveals what it really takes to lead transformation in the chemical industry. 

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In this special episode recorded at Glass Performance Days 2025, we talk with Sophie Pennetier, Graham Dodd, Linda Hildebrand, and Bertrand Cazes about circular design, material reuse, policy frameworks, and the future of sustainable facades.

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  What role can circular economy play in global climate action? In this special episode, Tuuli Hietaniemi, Senior Lead at SITRA, joins us to discuss key takeaways from the World Circular Economy Forum 2025 and the road to COP30. We explore circularity as a tool for climate implementation, the evolving role of national policies, and how businesses can prepare for what's ahead. 

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Natascha Zeljko, Co-founder of CIRCULAZE, shares how her platform is accelerating the circular economy through radical cross-industry collaboration. From spotlighting groundbreaking startups to convening corporates, investors, and universities, Natascha discusses what it takes to drive real transformation and why circularity is key to the future of business.

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Anne Raudaskoski, co-founder of circular design consultancy Ethica and author of Circular Strategies for Success, shares how companies can embed circularity across products, services, and business models. From mindset shifts to design frameworks, this episode offers a hopeful, hands-on guide for driving real impact.

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 Michel Bajuk (Cradlenet, Nordic Circular Hotspot) and Marcus Linder (RISE) unpack findings from the Nordic Circular Economy Outlook 2024, revealing how Nordic companies are bridging—or missing—the gap between circular ambitions and action. A data-driven look at what it takes to turn commitment into measurable impact. 

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Kalle Saarimaa, COO and EVP at NG Nordic, shares how one of the Nordics’ largest recycling and waste firms is turning circularity from concept to large-scale reality. From innovation bottlenecks to regulatory reform and urban reuse, he offers a pragmatic roadmap for scaling circular systems across industries. 

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Juhani Sibakov and Katariina Rommi from Fazer share how the 130-year-old food company is transforming surplus bread into circular innovation. From brewery partnerships to internal startup culture, they reveal how Fazer turns food waste into new value—and why collaboration and storytelling are key to scaling circularity in the food industry. 

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