Founded by Professor. Dr. Michael Braungart in 1987, the EPEA Internationale Umweltforschung GmbH works with clients worldwide to apply the Cradle to Cradle®-methodology to the design of new processes, products and services. Materials are applied with respect for their intrinsic value and their useful afterlife in recycled or even "upcycled" products, which have value and technological sophistication that may be higher than that of their original use.