The Circular Coffee Break

What does it really take to design for circularity? And how do we balance ambition with the messy realities of business and innovation?In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, host Michael Hanf sits down with Joe Iles, Circular Design Programme Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to explore the evolving role of design in driving the transition towards a circular economy. Joe has been with the Foundation since 2011 and has become one of the most recognized voices in circular design, working with companies, designers, and innovators around the world.Together, they discuss:☕ The evolution of circular design – how it has shifted from a standalone concept to an embedded part of mainstream innovation.☕ The idea of “circular-ish” – why embracing imperfection and iteration is essential for progress.☕ Six key entry points for businesses – practical ways companies can engage their design and innovation teams to accelerate circularity.☕ Case examples – including Decathlon’s approach to combining repair, resale, and rental models to create a “minimum viable ecosystem.”☕ The bigger picture – how circularity is not just about sustainability, but also about competitiveness, resilience, and future prosperity.☕ A challenge to designers and innovators – are you empowered to take bold steps towards circularity in your organization?Joe emphasizes that circularity is not about perfection but about momentum. Small steps, when connected, can trigger systemic change. He also highlights the importance of transparency and bringing customers along on the journey, even when progress is incremental.This conversation is packed with insights for business leaders, designers, innovators, and policymakers who are grappling with how to move from ambition to action. It’s a reminder that circular design is both a mindset and a practice and that the transition will require courage, creativity, and collaboration at every level.🎧 Listen in to discover how to embrace “circular-ish” thinking, empower creative teams, and turn design into a catalyst for real change in the economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a 130-year-old food company decides to turn its waste into value? In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, we sit down with Juhani Sibakov, Head of Innovation at Fazer Bakery Finland, and Katariina Rommi, Senior Manager at Fazer Lab, to uncover how Fazer is reimagining food waste—and turning surplus bread into a circular innovation success story.At the heart of the discussion is Fazer’s latest creation: Brewed with Fazer Rescued Bread, a new craft beer developed in collaboration with Teerenpeli Brewery & Distillery. The twist? It’s made using surplus rye bread from Fazer’s own bakeries, replacing up to 25% of the traditional malt. What started as an idea nearly a decade ago has now become a shelf-ready product available in supermarkets across Finland.We unpack how this venture fits into Fazer’s ambitious goal to cut food waste by 50% by 2030, and explore the technical, cultural, and commercial ingredients that made it possible. From stabilizing fluctuating side streams to crafting a consumer-friendly narrative, the team shares how they turned a sustainability challenge into an innovation opportunity.Katariina walks us through Fazer Ventures—an internal startup model that empowers employees to act like entrepreneurs and test ideas fast. Whether it’s oat-based frozen treats or beer from bakery leftovers, these internal ventures are helping Fazer build new value chains and shift from waste to worth.Key topics we cover in this episode:The story behind Brewed with Fazer Rescued BreadTechnical challenges and how the team overcame themHow upcycled ingredients can be made drop-in ready for partnersThe power of cross-functional teams and agile experimentationChanging consumer perceptions around surplus-based productsWhat makes a circular collaboration succeed across industriesWhy internal venturing is key for scaling sustainabilityFuture circular product ideas from chocolate, candy, and moreJuhani and Katariina also reflect on how the retail landscape is evolving, with major Finnish retailers now actively seeking products made from surplus ingredients and how consumer attitudes toward circularity are maturing beyond price sensitivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to move circular economy from concept to commercial reality?In this episode of The Circular Coffee Break, host Michael Hanf sits down with Kalle Saarimaa, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at NG Nordic, to explore how circularity is being scaled across industrial and municipal systems. With decades of experience across the Nordic waste, recycling, and circular solutions space, including senior roles at Fortum and Ekokem, Kalle offers one of the most grounded, strategic perspectives on how to operationalize circularity at scale.As COO of one of the largest waste and recycling companies in the Nordic region, Kalle oversees NG Nordic’s Industrial Waste Services Division, Group Procurement, Innovation, and Operational Excellence. He is also a board member at several recycling and technology companies and an active voice in shaping Europe’s circular policy and business landscape.🎧 What we cover in this episode:🔹 How Kalle’s thinking on circular economy has evolved over time 🔹 Why recycling alone won’t solve the circularity challenge 🔹 The five-stage framework for bringing innovation to scale 🔹 The barriers to, and opportunities in urban reuse and circular construction 🔹 NG Nordic’s role as an enabler across value chains and sectors 🔹 How regulation can either accelerate or stall circular business models 🔹 The critical role of depollution and chemical safety in circular systems 🔹 The future of secondary materials and why we must price in environmental externalities 🔹 Geopolitical risks, resource scarcity, and the case for resilient circular supply chains 🔹 What gives Kalle optimism and what keeps him up at nightThis episode dives deep into the operational, technological, and systemic realities of circularity. From scaling innovation and managing hazardous materials to enabling policy and cross-sector collaboration, Kalle presents a compelling case for infrastructure-level transformation.Circularity is not just about technology or recycling, it’s about rethinking systems, shifting regulation, and rebuilding trust in the material loops that sustain modern life. And companies like NG Nordic are at the heart of that shift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How far have Nordic companies really come on their circular journey?In this episode, Michel Bajuk (Cradlenet, Nordic Circular Hotspot) and Marcus Linder (RISE) unpack key insights from the Nordic Circular Economy Outlook 2024. From strategy gaps to measurable impact, we explore the first data-driven snapshot of how publicly listed Nordic firms are progressing on circularity and where they need to go next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What role can circular economy play in global climate action? In this 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode, Michael sits down with Mikko Pihavaara, Head of Sales Partnerships & Hospitality at FC St. Pauli. Mikko shares how one of football’s most values-driven clubs approaches partnerships, hospitality, and community engagement through a circular and sustainable lens. They explore the unique identity of FC St. Pauli, the role of authentic collaboration in sports, and how football can serve as a powerful platform for driving cultural and environmental change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at ARKI 135 as part of WCEF 2025 Studio Helsinki, 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode, Michael sits down with Dr. Claas Oehlmann, who leads the Circular Economy initiative at the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Claas shares how German industries are integrating circularity into business strategy, balancing regulatory challenges with economic opportunities. They discuss key enablers like eco-design, secondary raw materials, and circular business models, shaping the future of industrial competitiveness and sustainability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Peter Evans, a global expert on circular platforms and digital strategy. They explore how platforms are reshaping commerce, driving over $1 trillion in circular transactions annually. From resale and reuse to AI-powered tools and digital product passports, Peter shares key trends, challenges, and what’s next for circular tech and business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is joined by Tarja Koski, Senior Sustainability Manager at Finnair, to explore how the airline is embedding circularity into its operations. From reducing waste in in-flight catering to extending aircraft component lifecycles and dismantling planes for reuse, Finnair is rethinking sustainability beyond emissions. Tarja shares key insights on regulatory challenges, industry collaboration, and the potential of synthetic fuels in shaping a more circular future for aviation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Hanf is joined by Quan Nguyen, Director of the Institute for Circular Economy Development (ICED) and Associate Professor at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM). Quan shares his journey from environmental hydrology to circular economy leadership, offering insights into Vietnam’s bold steps toward circularity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Hanf sits down with Dominik Patzelt, Director of Business Development at VCG.AI, a German deep-tech startup revolutionizing circularity with AI. In this engaging conversation, Dominik shares how VCG.AI is transforming industrial byproducts and sidestreams into valuable resources using AI and big data—helping industries achieve net-zero emissions while advancing circular economy practices. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Hanf is joined by Jan Timm Utecth, CEO at Globe Hope, a pioneer in sustainable fashion and design. Globe Hope has been transforming discarded materials into innovative, high-quality fashion products for over two decades. Jan shares how the company’s approach to circularity has evolved, blending design, durability, and purpose to redefine the textile industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is joined by Harald Friedl, a circular economy pioneer and changemaker with over a decade of experience driving systemic change. Fresh from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Harald shares key insights on the state of circularity, the role of leadership, and the innovations shaping a more regenerative future. They explore the latest trends in AI, digital product passports, and circular financing models, as well as Harald's vision for a world of waste-free cities and carbon-neutral industries. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.