Program 2025
The program on the Audimax main stage will be recorded. Additionally, everything on the Audimax main stage will be translated either into German (English<>German) or into English (German<>English).
Thursday, 13.03.2025
Scientific colloquium
The scientific colloquium will take place on 08 September as part of the 8th International Cradle to Cradle Congress. A separate registration is necessary.
All information registration can be found here:
>> Information on the Scientific Colloquium
C2C Congress
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
Welcome to the 9th Cradle to Cradle Congress! Nora Sophie Griefahn and Tim Janßen welcome the audience together with Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen.
Audimax German <> English
Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen I Founder, Gesunde Erde Gesunde Menschen Foundation
Audimax German <> English
Prof. Dr. Fatma Deniz | Vice President for Digitalization and Sustainability, Technische Universität Berlin
Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart | Professor & Director, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg & Braungart EPEA
C2C Impulse Audimax German <> English
Input: I.E. Yadir Salazar-Mejía | Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Germany
Jan Philipp Albrecht | President, Heinrich Böll Foundation
Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart | Professor & Director, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg & Braungart EPEA
Dr. Sonja Stuchtey | CEO & Co-Founder, The Landbanking Group
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
We discuss how Cradle to Cradle can help to foster our ecosystems and which political or economic measures can help to reflect the value of an intact nature.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Prof. Dr. Dodo zu Knyphausen-Aufseß | Head of Department Strategic Leadership and Global Management, Technische Universität Berlin
Nora Sophie Griefahn | Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
and TU Berlin students
Content
TU Berlin students present their semester projects on Cradle to Cradle.
Presentation Audimax German <> English
Dr. Christiane Rohleder I State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
For the first time, Germany has an explicit strategy for a circular economy. In her keynote speech, State Secretary Dr. Christiane Rohleder will address the contents of the strategy and explain the necessary next steps to ensure rapid and targeted implementation of the measures developed.
Keynote Audimax German <> English
Lars Baumgürtel | CEO, ZINQ Group
Kerstin Erbe | CEO, dm-drogerie markt
Dr. Christaine Rohleder I Federal Ministry for the Environment
Sebastian Schwanhäußer | CEO, Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding
Herwart Wilms | Managing Director, Remondis Service International
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The first version of Germany’s National Circular Economy Strategy is in place – but what does the strategy and its content mean for both businesses and the environment? We discuss with representatives from business and politics about the positive effects the strategy and its implementation can have for the German economy and its companies, how the strategy must be placed in the context of European regulatory initiatives – and why design and material health must play a greater role.
Panel Audimax German <> English
4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Elwyn Grainger-Jones | Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Dr. Ken Webster | Fellow, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
What does our society and economy need to be able to future-proof itself? We discuss how we can successfully shape the comprehensive transformation towards a society in which every human action has an added social, ecological and economic value.
Panel Audimax English <> German
5:15 - 5:30 p.m.
Dagmar Fritz-Kramer | CEO, Bau-Fritz
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
5:30 - 6:15 p.m.
Prof. Dr. Dirk Messner | President, Federal Environmental Agency
Dr. Gitta Neufang | Chief Research & Development Officer and Member of the Executive Committee at Beiersdorf
Prof. Dr. Peter Saling | Director Sustainability Methods, BASF
Isabel Thoma | Head of Impact, traceless materials
Moderation
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The chemical industry has the potential to become an essential driver of a Cradle to Cradle circular economy. But how can the industry make the transition from perceived polluter to actual improver? We discuss necessary and existing innovations for C2C-suitable basic materials, which mechanisms can support the industry in the transition from linear to circular and whether bans on substances that are proven to be harmful do not also harbor opportunities in addition to the often-mentioned commercial risks.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Ralph Brinkhaus | Member of the German Bundestag, CDU
Sarah Ryglewski | Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor, Bundeskanzleramt
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The National Circular Economy Strategy in the Ministry of the Environment and the Raw Materials Strategy in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection: groundbreaking future strategies are the responsibility of different ministries – including the German Sustainability Strategy, which was developed across ministries. We discuss ways out of silo thinking and how a future-oriented and fact-based policy can succeed in politically and socially unstable times.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau | Chairman of the Advisory Council, EMG Group
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The Netherlands is considered one of the pioneers in the EU when it comes to the circular economy. We talk to Prince Pieter-Christiaan Michiel van Oranje-Nassau about the reasons for this and what role Cradle to Cradle and the circular economy play in his professional life.
Keynote & Conversation Audimax English <> German
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Content
Nora Sophie Griefahn and Tim Janßen summarize the topics and findings of the first day of the C2C Congress.
Audimax German <> English
Friday, 14.03.2025
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Content
Welcome to Day 2 of the 9th Cradle to Cradle Congress! Nora Sophie Griefahn and Tim Janßen welcome the audience and give an outlook on the day.
Audimax German <> English
Dr. Peter Mösle | Partner and Senior Executive, Drees & Sommer SE + EPEA GmbH
C2C Impulse Audimax German <> English
Wilhelm Mauß | CEO, Lorenz
Dr. Peter Mösle | Partner and Senior Executive, Drees & Sommer SE + EPEA GmbH
Sebastian Schels | Chief Environmental Officer RATISBONA Handelsimmobilien
Gabriele Willems | CEO, Building and real estate management North Rhine-Westphalia
Moderation
Isabel Gomez | Member of the Executive Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The construction industry is the most resource- and waste-intensive economic sector in Germany. At the same time, many builders, real estate developers and construction product manufacturers are already demonstrating how much C2C is being implemented and feasible in the industry today. So the construction industry has arrived in the midst of the transformation, but what happens next? We discuss best practices from the sector, where C2C-inspired construction is already more economical than conventional approaches and what levers are available to accelerate this development on a broad scale.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Alexander Eckert | Founder & Managing Director, REJELL
Content
Lights, Camera, Action! Alexander Eckert allows a glimpse into his latest movie project, which evolves entirely around Cradle to Cradle.
C2C in municipalities: driving transformation with living labs
Grit Bürgow | Head of strategic projects and laboratories, StadtManufaktur TU Berlin
Lisa Niederhaus | project manager, state garden show Neustadt an der Weinstrasse 2027
Bernd Tischler | Lord Mayor, Bottrop
Moderation
Lena Germscheid | Consultant Municipal Development, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
There are numerous opportunities to implement Cradle to Cradle at municipal level: From procurement and the construction of public buildings to mobility concepts, education and culture. Using best practice examples, we discuss what good initial starting points are, how authorities and the population can be taken along on the journey and to what extent real-world laboratories can help to identify and scale suitable solutions for individual municipalities.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Startup Pitch Session
Tim Gräsing | CEO, ValueGrain
Markus Johanning | Co-Founder & Managing Director, Protegg
Magdalena Junker & Philip Liebhold | Sustina
Doris Schoger | Co-Founder, Tildi
Theresa Schuhmann | Co-Founder, ReCircle Impact
Timur Sirman | CEO & Co-Founder, Magnotherm
Moderation
Lilli Knodt | Strategic Partnerships, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Dominik Markward | Strategic Partnerships, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
If you’re going to start a business, do it C2C! Introducing young companies that take Cradle to Cradle into account in the design of their products and in their business models right from the start.
Pitches Room 0110
Business Models for a C2C Economy
Cedric Bardenhagen | Head of Sustainability Program Management – Motion Control, Siemens
Patrick Hypscher | Podcast-Host & Circular Business Model Expert, Circularity.fm
Alexander Maak | Managing Director, Encory – a joint venture of BMW Group and Interzero
Kamila Szwejk | Scientist in the maritime project “ReCab”, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Jörg Witthöft | Senior Manager Commercial Vehicle Technology Remanufacturing, ZF Friedrichshafen
Moderation
Isabel Gomez | Member of the Executive Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
PanelRoom 0107
C2C Finance
Kristina Jeromin | Co-Manager, Initative Made in Germany 2030
Holger Sasse | CEO, Novo-Tech
Bettina Storck | Chief Sustainability Officer, Commerzbank
Moderation
Ana-Cristina Grohnert | Founding Partner score4impact & Advisory Board C2C NGO
Content
Cradle to cradle not only affects the real economy, but is also becoming increasingly relevant for the financial sector due to the issue of financing products for circular products and processes as well as the EU taxonomy. In addition to financing issues, we will also discuss the impact of the EU taxonomy and increasing reporting requirements on the economy and the financial sector and discuss what kind of financial sector a C2C society needs.
PanelRoom 0106
Unlock circular design solutions
Signe Marie Bakka Backhaus | Director of Design & Product Development, Roccamore
Mads Kogsgaard Hansen | Head of Product Circularity & Portfolio Planning, Bang & Olufsen
Moderation
Nienke Steen I Lead Apparel, Textiles and Footwear, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
Content
This breakout session provides an in-depth understanding of the importance and implementation of circular design principles embedded in Cradle to Cradle Certified®. The critical role of circular design in creating significant environmental and economic impacts will be explored. Participants will learn about the necessity of circular design, practical approaches to designing circular products, and establishing a robust framework for implementing circular design in various sectors. Esteemed experts from Bang & Olufsen and Roccamore, in collaboration with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, will share their experiences and innovations in the electronics and fashion industries, respectively.
Panel Breakout Room 0111
A future job with C2C
Philip Elsen | Politics teacher and head of the social sciences department, Beethoven Gymnasium Berlin
Ulli Häseler | Key Account Manager, Bito
Laura Scherer | Job coach and educator, Circu:Culture
Christian Schlimok | Founder, Managing Director & Lecturer, Novamondo
Moderation
Anna Britz | Education, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
If Cradle to Cradle and Circular Economy are to become a matter of course in everyday working life, more people need to be competently trained in them. C2C can be integrated into vocational training at many points, regardless of the type of training or education people choose: in the vocational orientation phase at school, in the training context for skilled workers and also during University studies. We are discussing how we can provide young people with information about various options, get them interested in these topics and motivate them to train or choose a career in the circular economy.
Panel Room 0112
Insights into C2C construction practice: How the industry already contributes to the transformation
Maximilian Breidenbach | COO, Claytec
Florian Michaelis | Managing Director, graadwies
Ines Naumann | Head of Competence Centre for Sustainable Building, Kempen Krause Ingenieure
Herbert Niederfriniger | Managing Director, holzius
Moderation
Dr. Juliane Kronen | Founder and managing director of Innatura & Advisory Board C2C NGO
Content
The construction industry is one of the most resource- and waste-intensive industries and, at the same time, one of the sectors that can already draw on the most C2C materials and products. Various companies, from building material manufacturers to architectural firms, will provide insights into their C2C paths and talk about opportunities and difficulties.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Plastics and packaging: defined, healthy and circular
Timothy Glaz | Head of Corporate Affairs, Werner & Mertz
Sarah Harbarth I Founder and CEO KUORI
Dr. Alexander von Niessen | CEO, Chocal Sustainable Packaging
Moderation
Katja Hansen | Research Fellow TU Munich & Advisory Board Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
For the foreseeable future, packaging will be necessary to transport goods and merchandise and bring them to the end customer. But we urgently need to move away from linearly designed and manufactured packaging materials and towards solutions that are suitable for a Cradle to Cradle Circular Economy. We will discuss how C2C-compatible plastics need to be designed, what exactly the defined ingredients are and what innovative examples of C2C packaging already exist.
PanelRoom 0110
C2C for high-tech products
Christoph Dörn | CEO and Chairman of the Board, WIK GROUP
Timur Sirman | Co-founder, Magnotherm
Dr. Annette Winterl | Lead Consultant, EPEA GmbH – Part of Drees & Sommer
Moderation
Isabel Gomez | Member of the Executive Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The implementation of Cradle to Cradle in high-tech products is considered particularly challenging. We use practical examples to show how this step can be achieved and what experience manufacturers of components or household appliances have gained.
Panel Room 0107
Back to the loop - approaches for a future-oriented agricultural sector
Florian Augustin | CEO, Finizio
Tim Gräsing | CEO, ValueGrain
Björn Köcher | Lead Project Coordinator PaludiAllianz/toMOORow, Michael Otto Environmental Foundation
Stefanie Zillner | Social Media coordinator, Delinat
Moderation
Nora Sophie Griefahn | Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
Organic farming is not enough to rebuild our overused soils, restore natural carbon reservoirs and secure the food supply of the future. We discuss different approaches to closing natural nutrient cycles and ideas for cradle-to-cradle agriculture.
Panel Room 0106
Circular interiors: the path to a C2C office
Dominik Campanella | Co-Founder, Concular
Felix Kröncke | Managing Director DACH, Ahrend
Carolina Mojto I Founder and CEO, BOX FREIRAUM
Ansgar Oberholz I Co-Founder, St. Oberholz Consulting and St. Oberholz
Tina Snedker Kristensen I Head of Sustainability & Communications, Troldtekt
Sven Urselmann I Founder, urselmann interior
Moderation
Julia Sickermann | Founder Gallonska Designagentur
Content
From air-purifying carpet tiles, rented electronics and office furniture that has already had a first life: We discuss existing approaches to interior spaces according to Cradle to Cradle with a focus on the design of sustainable workplaces using examples such as the co-working spaces of St. Oberholz, the C2C LAB of Cradle to Cradle NGO or the Freiraum in der Box.
Panel Room 0111
Supporting transformation: the role of culture & media
Domitila Barros | Greenfluencer, Social Activist and speaker of Gesellschaft der Europäischen Akademien e.V.
Jacob Sylvester Bilabel I Project Lead, Green Culture Desk
Johanna Jaurich I Director, fechnerMEDIA
Tabea Kaplan I Executive Director, Loft Concerts
Jo Schück | Journalist & Host, ZDF
Moderation
Dr. Monika Griefahn | Managing Director, Institute for Media Environment Culture & Chairwoman of the Advisory Board C2C NGO
Content
We talk to representatives from culture and the media about the role of artists and art in the circular transformation of our society. Is it enough to report on change and accompany it, or can or must cultural practitioners take an active role? And if so, how? Examples such as Labor Tempelhof, a film that whets the appetite for change and the experiences of a cultural promoter show how diverse cultural engagement for Cradle to Cradle can be.
Panel Room 0112
Dr. Janez Potočnik | Co-Chair, UNEP International Resource Panel
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
2:50 – 3:10 p.m.
Thomas Heilmann | Member of the German Parliament, CDU
Reiner Hoffmann | Chairman, Rat für nachhaltige Entwicklung
Moderation
Nora Sophie Griefahn | Executive Director, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
In the transition period from the old to the new German government, the question arises as to what role the topics of Circular Economy and Cradle to Cradle will play politically over the next four years. We discuss how we can put these issues high up on the agenda of a new coalition.
Panel Audimax German <> English
Frank Lenderink | Director International Environmental Initiatives, Apple
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
The impulse will be held in English.
Prof. Dr. Gerald Haug | Climate researcher and President of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Keynote Audimax German <> English
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
The winners of our startup pitches will present themselves on the main stage!
PresentationAudimax German <> English
Christiane Benner | First Chairwoman, IG Metall & Advisory Board C2C NGO
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Keynote & Conversation Audimax German <> English
Frieda Assel | Speaker C2C NGO volunteer group Cologne, C2C NGO
Thorsten Noll | Speaker C2C NGO volunteer group Mainz-Wiesbaden, C2C NGO
Moderation
Carolin Schultz | Volunteer Management, C2C NGO
Content
Almost 1,000 people are registered as supporters with Cradle to Cradle NGO. Many of them not only donate to the organization, but also form our strong volunteer team, which is active for C2C at a regional level in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You can find out why it’s worth becoming part of it in this format.
Presentation Audimax German <> English
Junhua Li | Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social UN
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
Content
In his keynote speech, UN Under-Secretary-General Junhua Li will discuss the steps and measures the United Nations is taking to advance the circular economy at the supranational level.
Keynote & ConversationAudimax English <> German
Anton Klischewski | Coordinator Sustainability and Engagement, FC Internationale Berlin 1980
Gregor Vischer | Managing Director, F.A.Z. Institut
Loredana Zafisambondaoky | Sustainability and Design, FC Internationale Berlin 1980
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Content
The Circularity Champion Award, initiated by the F.A.Z. Institute and Cradle to Cradle NGO, honors companies for special achievements and approaches in the field of Circular Economy and Cradle to Cradle. We give an outlook on the next edition of the award.
Maria Mack | Head of Global Communication & Brand Management, Liebherr-Hausgeräte
Moderation
Maike Voss | Member of the Advisory Board, Cradle to Cradle NGO
C2C Impulse AudimaxGerman <> English
Franziska Giffey | Senator for Economy, Energy and Enterprise of Berlin
Moderation
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Keynote & Conversation Audimax German <> English
Nora Sophie Griefahn I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Tim Janßen I Executive Director, C2C NGO
Content
Nora Sophie Griefahn and Tim Janßen wrap up the second and last day of the Congress and close with a look back, a look forward and an invitation.
Get-together with DJ, Food & Drinks (Donations are welcome)
Technische Universität Berlin
Subject to change without notice.