Episode 32- Christian van Maaren of Excess Materials Exchange

In this episode, Catherine Weetman talks to Christian van Maaren, co-founder of Excess Materials Exchange, based in the Netherlands. Excess Materials Exchange is saving the planet by running a dating site, which at first sounds improbable, and then sounds intriguing!Christian describes himself as a chronic optimist, always looking at possibilities to achieve the seemingly unattainable. He is driven by making the world inclusive and circular and is convinced that the Circular Economy plays a paramount role in the energy-climate challenge whilst delivering sound business results.We talk about Christian’s background working for Shell, and how he’s switched from corporate life to being an entrepreneur.Christian believes the circular economy is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to achieve the Paris climate goals, and we hear how Excess Materials Exchange helps customers measure the value of their exchange options, in financial, environmental and social impacts.Their analysis shows exchange is better for your profits as well as our planet, with material flows typically increasing by 110 per cent in financial value, and ecological footprints reducing by an average of 60 per cent.Christian tells us about the kinds of companies and materials they match up, using a combination of blockchain and AI, and how they actively match supply & demand for materials to ensure high value re-use.  Podcast host Catherine Weetman is a circular economy business advisor, workshop facilitator, speaker and writer.  Her award-winning book, includes lots of practical examples and tips on getting started.  Catherine founded Rethink Global in 2013, to help businesses use circular, sustainable approaches to build a better business (and a better world).Stay in touch for free insights and updates... Read on for a summary of the podcast and links to the people, organisations and other resources we mention. You can subscribe to the podcast series on iTunes, Google Podcasts, PlayerFM, Spotify, TuneIn, or search for "circular economy" in your favourite podcast app.  Stay in touch to get free insights and updates, direct to your inbox... Links we mention in the episode: * Excess Materials Exchange website: excessmaterialsexchange.com* On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/excess-materials-exchange/* Christian van Maaren on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvanmaaren/* Excess Materials Exchange Co-Founder, Maayke Aimee Damen’s TEDx talk from 2020 https://youtu.be/7A8x_cIjG1o* PRé consultants - https://www.pre-sustainability.com/* Copper8 (circular procurement) https://www.copper8.com/ Other podcast episodes about materials exchange:* Episode 8 Elaine Kerr - industrial symbiosis