Oskar Karlström
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attitude & change
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Business strategy
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Circular economy
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Environment & Responsibility
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Society & Future
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Strategy
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Technology inovations
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English
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Finnish
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Swedish
Professor of Circular Economy at the University of Turku
Professor Oskar Karlström helps companies, policymakers, and social actors understand how material flows, industrial symbiosis, and global value chains impact competitiveness, profitability, and climate effects—and how these can be transformed into strategic opportunities.
With a background in chemical engineering, energy technology, and industrial management, he moves seamlessly across the interface of technology, business strategy, and systems thinking. He has led over 20 research projects in close collaboration with industry, working alongside companies in the energy, chemical, manufacturing, recycling, and maritime sectors.
Strategic Insight & Industrial Impact
His work combines technical expertise with strategic analysis. By integrating data, life cycle assessment (LCA), and economic evaluations, he demonstrates how sustainability can serve as a driver for innovation and competitiveness, rather than a mere cost center. He places particular emphasis on how localized value chains, industrial cooperation, and material flow analysis can strengthen the resilience of companies and regions in a geopolitically and economically uncertain world.
Global Perspective & Keynotes
In his lectures, Karlström combines research data and international benchmarks with concrete industrial examples from Europe, the United States, and China. He challenges established perceptions and distinguishes “hype” from actual structural change. His audience gains more than just an understanding of what is happening in the circular economy; they learn why developments are progressing, who is leading them, and how organizations can position themselves strategically.
Oskar Karlström is an esteemed speaker who makes complex systemic issues understandable and practical. His message is clear: the circular economy is not about symbolic initiatives—it is about designing sustainable, competitive systems that create real value economically, industrially, and socially.
Popular Keynote Topics by Oskar Karlström
Industrial Symbioses – Competitive Advantage through Cooperation and Side Streams
Oskar presents best practices from around the world and here at home. He guides the audience on how to identify hidden material flows and waste costs, turning them into industrial partnerships that strengthen both the bottom line and overall competitiveness.
His lectures feature diverse examples of both Finnish and international cases. The audience gains concrete insights into how similar opportunities can be identified and implemented within their own organizations.
From Material Dependency to Strategic Autonomy – Building Crisis-Resilient Business
Finland and Europe are deeply intertwined with global material flows. In an unstable world, this dependency can become a significant risk—but it also presents a strategic opportunity.
Professor Karlström analyzes how the management of material flows impacts competitiveness and security of supply, and how localized value chains and circular economy solutions can strengthen economic and industrial resilience. Through international comparisons, he places Finland and Europe within a broader global context, demonstrating how companies and policymakers can make long-term, strategic choices.
Sustainability Without Illusions – Circular Economy as a Strategic Competitive Factor
Many organizations talk about sustainability, but few view it as a genuine factor of competitiveness. Professor Karlström distinguishes between symbolic initiatives, regulatory compliance, and genuine structural competitive advantages.
His lectures present practical industrial examples where circular economy solutions have created real economic value. The audience learns how resource efficiency and the utilization of side streams can be transformed into a sustainable business logic—moving far beyond mere reporting or image-building.
Technological Innovations as Drivers of the Circular Economy.
The lecture examines how truly transformative green innovations are accelerating the global transition to a circular economy. “We separate fact from myth—identifying what is truly sustainable and scalable, and what is merely ‘green rhetoric’ that yields no real impact. I focus on concrete examples, technologies, and business models that deliver both environmental benefits and a competitive advantage.
Oskari Karlström’s other topics:
Circular Economy through the Lens of Regional Development
Megatrends in the Circular Economy
Product Development and Sustainability Assessment
Emission Reduction Strategies
The Circular Economy through an Engineer’s Eyes
The Circular Economy in the Chemical and Process Industries
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