Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the sustainability revolution. Grab your copy of From Rebel to Radical Innovator, and lead the charge towards a circular economy today.
Come across the transformative insights of Albin Kaelin, an industry leader with over three decades of development in sustainable practices. In From Rebel to Radical Innovator: Leading the Transformation through Circularity, Kaelin exhibits a transformative blueprint for businesses, guiding them towards a circular future.
With 38 groundbreaking innovations—36 of which have been successfully implemented, 2 remain unsolved—Albin Kaelin has worked with hundreds of companies selected are 57 pioneering companies across various industries, delivering 60 compelling case studies. His wealth of experience offers invaluable guidance for businesses seeking long-term environmental and economic benefits while saving resources.
Reviewed in Germany on 26 February 2025
Great read!
Iztok Mohoric
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 20 November 2024
From my point of view this is an excellent book from Albin Kaelin and a "must have" for all CEOs and sustainability oriented managers of all industries worldwide. You will find a lot of lighthouse case studies about innovative projects of well known international oriented companies and finally you will learn how to make this world somewhat better. I enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot about new ideas in the direction of circular economic thinking and marketing!
Gerhard Havranek
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 23 November 2024
Full of insight and inspiration, this book is a testament to the breadth and depth of Albins' knowledge of sustainability and innovation. A must read for anyone truly committed to these critical issues.
ttr
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 19 November 2024
Super interestingly written book. It describes the rocky and long journey from linear to circular product design. I have found lots of useful tips and tips for my daily work as a product developer.
Amazon Customer
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 19 November 2024
The book contains complex, rich and valuable case studies that inspire the creativity and motivation of every 'changemaker' with practical information and offer groundbreaking help.
aeschbacher
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 13 January 2025
If you want to know how the circular economy has become a central topic in the economy and why, you should read “From Rebel to Radical Innovator.” The book combines a very personal perspective from one of the pioneers with specific case studies across many industries.
Albin Kälin talks about how he became the first industrial user of Cradle-to-Cradle. Yes, chance played a part. But more important was the will to make business models and business practices fit for the future. Modernity, quality, sustainability — at Kälin, these go hand in hand. And why not? There is no waste in the eternal cycle of things.
“From Rebel to Radical Innovator” offers a life story with a handbook character.
Steffen Klatt
★★★★★
Reviewed in Germany on 13 January 2025
Cradle to Cradle - a concept that is highly topical but is only slowly becoming generally known. Albin Kälin was already convinced of this concept 30 years ago and was actively looking for solutions for a sustainable future.
The book is a lexicon about the development of the Cradle to Cradle concept and provides assistance and ideas for your own projects.
Who could explain the idea better?
Louis Zuend
★★★★★
Reviewed in France on 7 December 2024
Albin Kaelin's testimony sheds light on cradle to cradle through numerous practical and concrete cases.
Through the C2C method, he proposes an operational path towards a more responsible industry.
Read and reread!
Bercegeay
★★★★★
Reviewed in the United States on 7 March 2025
This book is a must-read for businesses looking to shift from outdated, wasteful models to circular, future-proof strategies.
A. A.
★★★★★
From Rebel to Radical Innovator by Albin Kaelin is a compelling guide to sustainable business transformation through circularity. This is a book that draws on decades of experience and a legacy of international recognition as Kaelin provides a practical and visionary roadmap for rethinking traditional industrial practices. Grounded in cradle-to-cradle principles, this book empowers companies to embrace circular innovation and redesign systems that benefit both the economy and the environment. From shifting mindsets to implementing proven tools and strategies, Kaelin encourages business leaders to become pioneers in the global sustainability revolution. His insights help forge a path where industries move from extractive to regenerative, shaping a resilient future for all.
Author Albin Kaelin writes with a clear passion for making the future a better place, both in business and in our lives in general, and it’s that genuine spirit of wanting to do good that makes this book so appealing. It’s warmly penned and well organized to offer a powerful manual for business leaders of all kinds who are seeking to turn sustainability into a competitive advantage, and ultimately a quality that will help them last in a rapidly changing world. It’s clear that Kaelin has a lot of experience, and this has led to innovation and bold thinking that is explained in accessible and practical ways so that leaders can begin implementing these principles pretty much straight from the book. It makes for an enthusiastic and empowering read that is visionary yet practical, translating complex sustainability concepts into effective, actionable change. Overall, I’d certainly recommend From Rebel to Radical Innovator as a rare gem that inspires businesses to become environmental stewards without compromising growth, which is much needed in today’s world.
K.C. Finn
★★★★★
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2025
Wow! Wow! Wow! Albin Kaelin has truly outdone himself with From Rebel to Radical Innovator: Leading the Transformation through Circularity. This book is an essential read for forward-thinking leaders, sustainability advocates, advisors, and students of circular economy and design who want to drive meaningful change.
The brilliance of this book lies in its ability to marry visionary ideas with practical, actionable strategies. Kaelin balances historical context, goal-setting, and hands-on tools to provide a comprehensive roadmap for individuals and businesses alike. Whether you're a newcomer to sustainability or a seasoned professional, this book offers invaluable insights tailored to every level of expertise.
Drawing on over three decades of experience and enriched by his collaborations across countless sectors, Kaelin fills this book with inspiring case studies. These real-world examples showcase how companies have transitioned from linear to circular models, offering practical guidance for implementing change in any industry.
The journey begins with a compelling history of the chemical industry, progressing through a detailed exploration of how industries, materials, design, science, and education can be transformed through circular principles. Each chapter seamlessly combines visionary thinking with pragmatic advice, from cradle-to-cradle design principles to leveraging startups and redefining management systems.
What sets this book apart is its accessible, down-to-earth style. Despite addressing complex topics, Kaelin’s writing is refreshingly clear and engaging, making it approachable for both sustainability novices and experts.
Particularly noteworthy is the section on management tools for circularity, which provides a clear pathway for executives to foster innovation and lead sustainable transformation. Additionally, the emphasis on involving consumers underscores the holistic approach needed to create lasting impact.
Building on the foundational principles laid out by visionaries like Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart and William McDonough, From Rebel to Radical Innovator stands out as a definitive guide to implementing the circular economy. Whether you're focused on product development, management systems, or certification pathways, Kaelin offers a comprehensive toolkit for turning sustainability concepts into actionable strategies that drive real-world results.
This book is more than a resource—it’s an invitation to lead the way in shaping a sustainable future. Highly inspiring, immensely practical, and universally applicable, it is, without a doubt, the definitive resource for anyone committed to driving impactful change.
My Music
★★★★★
The time has come for a paradigm shift—a transition from linear to circular thinking. Much like switching from left-handed to right-handed, this shift requires a deliberate and transformative process.
This workshop is designed to guide you through this cognitive transformation. We understand that embracing circular thinking isn't a simple task; it's about fundamentally altering how we approach problems and solutions. Once that mental "click" happens, you'll find yourself adept at applying circular thinking across various domains.
This isn't merely about creating cycles within a linear framework; it's about eliminating the linear constraints altogether. This calls for a holistic redesign of all products, adhering to the philosophy of "Rethinking the way we make things."
Join our workshop, and let's embark on this transformative journey together.
From 1981 to 2004, Albin Kälin served as the Managing Director of Rohner Textil AG in Switzerland. During his tenure, the company achieved significant success, earning 19 international design awards since the 1990s. In 1993, he played a key role in the development of the Climatex® product line (www.climatex.com), marking the inception of the first Cradle to Cradle® products globally. Recognizing his entrepreneurial achievements, Albin Kälin received the UBS Key Trophy as the "Rhine Valley Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2001.
From 2002 to 2007, he served as a member of the supervisory board of Fein Elast Group in Austria. In the following years, from 2005 to 2009, Albin Kälin held the position of CEO at EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH in Hamburg. Concurrently, in 2007, he assumed the role of CEO at EPEA Netherlands.
Since 2009, Albin Kälin has been the founder and CEO of epeaswitzerland GmbH, owned 100% by Albin Kälin GmbH.
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