Albin Kaelin

Albin Kaelin, from his experience, instilled a principle: never accept anything that lacks clarity. He strives to shape his life meaningfully for himself and his community. Professionally, he is dedicated to fostering innovations that create sustainable production concepts, transforming waste into valuable "nutrients" for other products. He navigates the old system, embodying responsibility without simply agreeing or disagreeing.

From 1981 to 2004, Kaelin served as Managing Director of Rohner Textil AG in Switzerland, where the company garnered 19 international design awards under his leadership. He initiated the Climatex® product line in 1993, pioneering the first Cradle to Cradle® products globally. In 2001, he received the UBS Key Trophy as the “Rhine Valley Entrepreneur of the Year.”
Kaelin's roles have included member of the supervisory board of Fein Elast Group in Austria (2002-2007) and CEO of EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH in Germany (2005-2009) and EPEA Nederland (2007-2009). Since 2009, he has been the founder, owner, and CEO of epeaswitzerland gmbh

Kaelin has received numerous accolades, including the CEO Today Europe Award in 2021 and 30 awards in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 for his contributions to sustainable manufacturing and innovation. His company, epeaswitzerland gmbh, supports businesses in developing and implementing Cradle to Cradle® design concepts globally.

Awards:
• 2022 10 Awards: M&A Today Global Awards, Lawyers International and Global 100 > Best CEO of the Year - Albin Kaelin, CEO Today Europe > Manufacturing – Leader of the year. Business Worldwide Magazine CEO Awards > Most Innovative CEO in the Worldwide Textile Industry and > Business Leadership and Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Manufacturing, Acquisition Int. > Best Specialist Cradle to Cradle Products & Services Provider, CIO Views Magazine and Fortunes Crown > Top 10 Most Inspiring CEO in Business in 2022, World Finance Innovation Awards > Textile Industry epeaswitzerland.

• 2023 11 Awards: M&A Today Global Awards, Global 100, Corporate America Today and Lawyers International 100 > Best CEO of the Year - Albin Kaelin, Acquisition International > 2023's Best Specialist Cradle to Cradle Products & Services Provider, Fortunes Crown > The Most Innovative Technology Leaders to Watch in 2023, The European – Global Sustainability & ESG Awards 2023 > Best CEO in the Textile Manufacturing Industry > Best Cradle-to-Cradle Products & Services Innovation Experts > Most Sustainable Textile and Materials Value Creation Leadership. IE 100 > Albin Kaelin - Most Innovative CEO of the Year – epeaswitzerland gmbh – Europe, CorporateLiveWire > Household Hardware Specialists of the Year, Environmental – Leader of the Year: CEO Today Europe (2023)

• 2024 9 Awards: M&A Today Global Awards, Lawyers International Legal 100, Corporate Amerika Today 2024 and Global 100 > Best CEO of the Year – Albin Kaelin, Corporate Amerika Today 2024 –Best Specialist Cradle to Cradle Products & Services Provider 2024, IE 100 – 2024 Albin Kaelin - Most Innovative CEO of The Year - epeaswitzerland gmbh – Europe, THE EUROPEAN - Most Innovative CEO in the Textile Manufacturing Industry 2024, Pioneers in Cradle-to-Cradle Innovation: Leading Experts in Textile 2024, Trailblazer Award for Circular & Sustainable Textile Innovation 2024

• 2025: Global 100, Corporate Amerika Today 2025 > Best CEO of the Year – Albin Kaelin

You’ve spent decades turning rebellious ideas into groundbreaking innovations. What was the initial spark that led you to pioneer Cradle to Cradle® principles—and how did you convince traditional industries to embrace them?
"I'm actually left-handed. When I got to school, I was forced to write on the right. Back then I asked why, but I didn't get an answer. This experience has taught me not to accept anything whose sense I do not understand. I want to shape my life so that it makes sense for me and for the community. In doing it becomes visual how I take responsibility. I work professionally to enable innovations to develop new concepts of production that no longer produce waste, but become 'nutrients' for other products. By showing new ways to the old system, I find my track of interface, where I am neither saying yes nor no and I am confident to bare my responsibility. "

From my personal values the 3 principles Cradle to Cradle make sense, when I was first confronted with the concept "it made klick". I immediately knew what to do, it has provided me the roadmap.

I am an educated, trained business man, manager from industry, knowing the language, culture, systems of industry. Convincing traditional industries is extremly challenging and contradictionary.          The approach is to explain to individuals, managers the concept and don't give up until they can judge according to their own personal values it makes sense. Once they agree to this, the motivation is there to look closer to the concept. Getting a project is the next jump to enable proof of concept. 

In your book, From Rebel to Radical Innovator, you outline a blueprint for transitioning from linear to circular thinking. What do you see as the biggest obstacle businesses face when making that shift—and how can they overcome it?
The biggest challenge is to balance or visualize risks and opportunities, building the trust to go for the adventure. Overcoming resistense to change is a key element, there are change management techniques and behaviours available. We call it  "Building a Network of Trust".
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You’ve received over 30 awards in the past few years alone. Which recognition stands out to you the most, and what does it say about where the world is headed in terms of sustainability?
The scoop of recognition is not primarily about me or the company, the most important element is the fact that the topic has reached the surface, its being recognized as an issue for the future. On a personal level it was good to see that some awards been given for up to 3 subsequent years: Best CEO of the Year, Most Innovative CEO of the Year.

You emphasize that we should never accept anything that lacks clarity. How has this principle guided your leadership style, especially when navigating resistance or uncertainty in legacy systems?
I am guided by my principles: "Innovation and Leadership are the only Survival Strategies" and "If you compare, you start to compromize". I experienced headwind for over 25 years, now the tipping point has been reached and it will become legislation. Remaining firm and consistent is key to gain and maintain credibility. 

How do you see the role of the consumer evolving in this circular economy? And what can individuals do today to support the kinds of systemic change you advocate for in your work and writing?
The retailers who are in direct contact with the consumer resisted to accept the concept for decades. Times are changing, with the digitalization transparency has opened opportunities. 

In the book there is one example of a retailer in Switzerland, Migros, who has taken the step to move.

We are still at the beginning and impact needs to grow quickly. Leveraging the concept is key, but the giant businesses are resisting, want to do it their way. I still feel to be in the David & Goliath position.

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Website: https://book.epeaswitzerland.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/albin.kalin/
LinkedIn: https://ch.linkedin.com/in/albin-kaelin-65942510

Purchase the book here: 
https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Radical-Innovator-Transformation-Circularity/dp/1637352840