Albin Kälin

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