epeaswitzerland gmbh

What epeaswitzerland gmbh does

epeaswitzerland gmbh is a Swiss B2B advisory firm founded in 2009 by Albin Kälin, headquartered in Widnau (Canton St. Gallen) with a secondary location in Bäch (Canton Schwyz). The firm specializes in the Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design framework, supporting enterprises worldwide in transitioning from linear 'cradle-to-grave' production to circular, regenerative systems. Its core service is accredited assessment and certification guidance for Cradle to Cradle Certified and Material Health Certificate standards (Bronze through Platinum), augmented by an eight-stage 'Transformation by Circular Design Process' methodology, a 'Network of Trust' partner ecosystem, and the recently launched Digital Product Passport Compass C2C that maps EU, UN Sustainability Goals, and GRI reporting requirements.

The company monetizes exclusively through professional services — project-based consulting fees for certification assessments, transformation advisory, and methodology licensing — with no publicly disclosed pricing. Customer segments are enterprise manufacturers across textiles (Wolford, Napapijri, Trigema, Pfister), cosmetics (no excuses LANUR), fragrances (LUZI), packaging and paper (Mondi, Vögeli), printing inks (Siegwerk), retail (Migros), cleaning products (Werner & Mertz), and consumer goods (Bayonix). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales driven by founder-led thought leadership, including a book, podcast, and 217+ news articles, generating inbound demand from a horizontal cross-industry base.

The firm operates with approximately 10 employees, is privately held, and reports no institutional funding to date. Its intellectual property centers on 14 registered trademarks framing its methodologies, supplemented by partner-owned patents (e.g., Bauwerk's Silente, Werner & Mertz's Bionicdry). Strategic positioning is anchored by the founder's 40+ years of C2C experience and the firm's accredited assessor status with the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, which functions as a regulatory gatekeeper ahead of tightening EU Digital Product Passport and CSRD mandates.

Name

epeaswitzerland gmbh

Legal name

epeaswitzerland gmbh

Website

https://epeaswitzerland.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

epeaswitzerland gmbh is a Swiss B2B advisory firm founded in 2009 that helps global enterprises implement Cradle to Cradle circular-economy strategies, providing accredited certification assessments, transformation methodology, and a Digital Product Passport compliance tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability and Circular Economy Consulting

NAICS

Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

akta.pro primary industry

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Product Sustainability & LCA/EPD (Eco-design, PCF) (EUAHAJAF)

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Cradle to cradle certification
• Sustainability advisory services
• Material health assessment
• Digital product passport

Headquarters

HQ city

global

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Cradle to Cradle Consulting Services: The company generates revenue through consulting fees for advisory services helping companies implement Cradle to Cradle projects. Services include assessments, certification guidance, and implementation support for circular economy transformation.
2. Cradle to Cradle Certification Assessments: As the accredited assessor for Cradle to Cradle Certified certifications, the company provides assessment services for product certifications and material health certificates at various levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

epeaswitzerland gmbh is a B2B consultancy that advises brands and manufacturers on Cradle to Cradle (C2C) design, circular economy transformation, and C2C certification readiness. Its core deliverables include C2C assessment and certification advisory, the proprietary Reference Model Cradle to Cradle and Transformation by Circular Design Process methodologies, the Network of Trust partner ecosystem, and the Digital Product Passport Compass Cradle to Cradle digital tool.

Product overview

epeaswitzerland gmbh is a specialist for innovations based on the Cradle to Cradle concept, supporting companies worldwide in implementing circular economy projects. The core offering centers on the Digital Product Passport Compass Cradle to Cradle™ which maps EU, UN Sustainability Goals, and GRI reporting requirements. The company provides assessment and certification services for Cradle to Cradle Certified and Material Health Certificates across Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels. Supporting services include the Transformation by Circular Design Process™ (an 8-stage collaborative innovation methodology), the Network of Trust™ partner platform, Reference Model Cradle to Cradle™, Circular Accounting™, and professional training programs. The company was founded in 2009 by Albin Kälin and is headquartered in Widnau, Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cradle to Cradle Certified Assessment and Certification Advisory Advisory engagement that prepares brand owners and manufacturers to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certified status, covering material health, reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness criteria. Target buyers are sustainability, product, and innovation leaders at consumer-goods and manufacturing companies.
• Transformation by Circular Design Process Structured consulting program that guides organizations through redesigning products, materials, and supply chains for circularity, anchored in a proprietary methodology. Sold as a transformation engagement for enterprise clients pursuing Cradle to Cradle outcomes.
• Reference Model Cradle to Cradle Proprietary framework applied within client engagements to model circular product and material flows, used to structure Cradle to Cradle transformation roadmaps for enterprises.
• Network of Trust Vetted partner ecosystem that enables epea to deliver Cradle to Cradle advisory and implementation projects across multiple markets through qualified local partners, extending the firm's reach beyond Switzerland.
• Digital Product Passport Compass Cradle to Cradle Digital tool that helps companies align Cradle to Cradle product data with emerging Digital Product Passport requirements. Launched in September 2025 and positioned as a standalone digital offering alongside epea's advisory services.
• Cradle to Cradle for Professionals Training and credentialing program for sustainability professionals, consultants, and product designers seeking formal Cradle to Cradle knowledge. Sold as a discrete paid training offering to individual practitioners and in-house teams.
• Circular Accounting Advisory service helping organizations apply circular-economy accounting principles to track and value circular material flows and outcomes within Cradle to Cradle programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 78+ certified projects supported across various industries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ciaras AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2025Gossau-based company developed clappt cleaning products based on whey - pollutant-free, recyclable and Cradle to Cradle Certified. Supported by epeaswitzerland.
• Innovation Network Eastern Switzerland (INOS)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 5 March 2025INOS offers training on circular economy with epeaswitzerland presenting on C2C principle and Digital Product Passport Compass. Training supported by cantons including St.Gallen, Thurgau, Zurich.
• LUZI AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2024LUZI AG, a family-owned fragrance company in its third generation, launched an innovative collection of fragrances exclusively with circular raw materials. The LUZI Circular Toolbox earned C2C Certified Material Health Certificate at Gold level. Supported by epeaswitzerland as a new member of the Network of Trust.
• MigroscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Switzerland's largest retailer working with epeaswitzerland on M-Check 5-star pre-evaluation for circular economy suitability of non-food range. Supported by Migros Pioneer Fund for Circular Clothing project.
• NTN Innovation Booster Applied Circular SustainabilityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Innovation program supported by Innosuisse coordinated by ZHAW. epeaswitzerland is a network partner promoting 100% circular concepts. Maximum support of 25,000 CHF per project.
• Werner & MertzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016German cleaning products manufacturer (Frosch brand) has partnered with epeaswitzerland for 8+ years developing C2C certified products. Jointly developed UV printing inks compatible with circular economy with Siegwerk.
• Siegwerk DruckfarbencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Third largest printing ink manufacturer partnered with Werner & Mertz and epeaswitzerland to develop C2C certified UV offset colors awarded Material Health Certificate GOLD - only such system worldwide.
• Bauwerk ParkettcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBauwerk Parkett developed its Silente technology in conjunction with epeaswitzerland. The flooring manufacturer achieved first GOLD Level certification for wooden flooring (Cleverpark Silente, Multipark Silente) after 4 years of development.
• Circular Clothing CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative platform for Swiss textiles firms enabling small fashion labels to access circular economy. epeaswitzerland acts as certification partner providing Cradle to Cradle assessments and supply chain auditing.
• BayonixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayonix developed the first fully biodegradable drinking bottle with GOLD-level Cradle to Cradle certification. Partnered through Network of Trust for the no excuses LANUR cosmetics packaging.
• VögelicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVögeli AG is the first printing company worldwide to be awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified GOLD. epeaswitzerland supported full transparency regarding chemicals used in processes. Vögeli founded Print-the-Change cooperative with KLS (Denmark) and Gugler (Austria).
• no excuses LANURminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's first cosmetics brand with all products C2C Certified GOLD. epeaswitzerland supported scientific evaluation of ingredients and certification process. Bayonix developed packaging tub.
• WolfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian luxury textile manufacturer with Cradle to Cradle Certified GOLD products. epeaswitzerland supported development of biodegradable polyester vinatur and served as accredited assessment body for certification.
• Napapijri (VF Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian fashion brand developed Circular Series - first family of recyclable, mono-material products to achieve Cradle to Cradle Certified GOLD. Worked with 47 suppliers across four tiers.
• TrigemaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's largest manufacturer of sports and leisure clothing with C2C Material Health Certificate GOLD for Organic Cotton Apparel. Network of Trust partner.
• PfisterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss curtain manufacturer with Cradle to Cradle Certified GOLD and take-back program for used curtain materials. epeaswitzerland inspected all production areas.
• MondicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal packaging and paper company first to offer extensive uncoated fine paper portfolio as Cradle to Cradle Certified (Bronze level). Partnered with Werner & Mertz on stand-up pouch achieving GOLD certification.
• The Blue SuitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthical fashion label from Kreuzlingen achieved first Cradle to Cradle Certified Denim Collection in Switzerland with support from Circular Clothing cooperative.
• JAB AnstoetzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-quality textile company distributing Climatex products worldwide. Partner on Climatex Lifecycle and Dualcycle fabric collections.
• Asahi KaseiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese chemical group (47,000 employees, €18 billion sales) developed ROICA V550 stretch fiber achieving C2C Material Health Certificate GOLD. Partner for circular textile innovations.
• OceanSafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTextiles Next Generation company with modular construction system for circular textiles. Won German Sustainability Award Design. Partner on biodegradable textile solutions.
• Quality AustriaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCooperation agreement signed end of 2019 to align environmental management and circular economy systems. Exploiting potential of European Union's European Green Deal.
• Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerepeaswitzerland is the accredited assessment body for Cradle to Cradle Certified and Material Health Certificate certifications. Works with C2CPII on global certification standards.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights10 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS is a global testing, inspection and certification group offering sustainability, material health, and product certification services that overlap with epeaswitzerland's C2C Certified assessment work. It competes from scale, not from C2C specialization.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a major TIC incumbent that has expanded into ESG assurance, supply-chain due diligence, and circular-economy-related certifications. It addresses the same enterprise buyers but with a much broader portfolio.
• DNV (sustainability services): DNV is a global testing, inspection and certification incumbent that has expanded into ESG assurance, CSRD reporting and circular-economy advisory. It competes for the same enterprise compliance wallet but as part of a much broader TIC portfolio.

Direct peers

• EcoVadis: EcoVadis is the leading sustainability ratings and assessment platform used by global enterprises for supply-chain ESG scoring. It competes for the same corporate sustainability/circular-economy advisory wallet, but at vastly greater scale and via a SaaS model.
• bluesign technologies: bluesign is a chemical-management and material-health certification provider for the textile industry. Several of epeaswitzerland's textile clients (Werner & Mertz, Wolford, Napapijri, Wellicious) operate in the same materials/sustainability ecosystem where bluesign is also present.
• B Lab (B Corporation): B Lab administers the B Corp certification, an alternative sustainability standard used by enterprises that epeaswitzerland's clients might choose instead of C2C Certified. Both compete for corporate ESG certification mindshare.
• EPEA Hamburg (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency): EPEA Hamburg is the original Cradle to Cradle research and consultancy institute founded by Michael Braungart, the co-author of the Cradle to Cradle concept. It is the closest analogue to epeaswitzerland: both are specialist C2C consultancies advising enterprises on circular product design and material health.
• Anthesis Group: Anthesis is a global sustainability consultancy that advises large enterprises on circular economy strategy, ESG reporting, and product sustainability. It overlaps with epeaswitzerland on circular design and CSRD/DPP-related advisory work.

Others

• Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute (C2CPII): C2CPII owns and operates the Cradle to Cradle Certified standard globally and accredits the assessor bodies (including epeaswitzerland). It is the ecosystem gatekeeper and standards body that epeaswitzerland's services are built around.

Emerging players

• Sphera: Sphera provides enterprise ESG, product sustainability, and supply-chain transparency software (including LCA and DPP-adjacent tools). It is a more software-led, broader-ESG peer to epeaswitzerland's Circular Accounting and DPP Compass offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@epeaswitzerland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epeaswitzerland

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about epeaswitzerland gmbh