Dr. Jan Christoph von der Lancken

Jan studied chemistry in Germany and Sweden before completing a PhD in Sustainable Chemistry at Leuphana University Lüneburg. He joined EPEA in 2020 as a chemist, an opportunity made even more memorable by having Cradle to Cradle pioneer Michael Braungart lead one of his interviews. Since 2024, Jan has served as Managing Director of EPEA, helping drive the organization's mission of advancing products and systems that are good for people and the planet.

What first drew Jan to the Cradle to Cradle approach was its optimistic vision of positive impact. Rather than focusing on being “a little less bad,” he was inspired by the idea of creating solutions that are actively beneficial. It provided a way to translate his expertise in chemistry into tangible societal value. One of his favorite examples is the creation of diamonds from atmospheric CO₂, a chemical process that transforms greenhouse gases into a beautiful product, demonstrating how innovative design can turn environmental challenges into opportunities.