Think
THE CONSTRUCTION INTERVIEW
“ about the legacy,” Mathias Schluep, Managing Director of the World Resources Forum( WRF), says. Mathias is referring to the sustainability of raw materials, a cause to which he has committed his career. His passion is born out of his childhood in the nature of Switzerland.
“ This is our resource but not just to be used and destroyed,” he says. It’ s a sentiment that pervades everything the World Resources Forum does.
A Swiss based non-profit organisation with a global focus, WRF’ s projects and biennial conference are centred on driving the sustainable management of natural resources – mainly minerals and metals – throughout the value chain.
Circularity and construction The circular economy and secondary raw materials are a large focus for the forum, and two areas that have historically been less prominent in construction compared to other industries.
“ The construction business, if you want to compare it to other things like consumer products like electronics, it’ s a very different business,” says Mathias.
The materials used in construction are often diverse and unique in their purpose as they are typically meant to last for an extended period of time.
Mathias continues:“ We are talking about materials which are built into infrastructure buildings, roads etc., which stay there for a long long time, so it’ s very difficult to think in terms of when they come back
“ YOUR ENEMY CAN ALSO BE YOUR FRIEND. IT JUST DEPENDS ON HOW YOU TALK TO THEM”
Mathias Schluep Managing Director World Resources Forum
into a circular economy and when we can reuse these materials.”
Mathias compares these examples to a mobile phone that may be used for a considerably shorter time of around five years, although this is seen as a long period for many people.
Another stark contrast must be noted. While there is mainly an international standard which applies to the manufacturing of consumer products, rules in the construction sector are often localised.
“ It’ s not that easy to say we apply the same mindset when it comes to the circular economy and keeping these resources in the loop [ in construction ],” Mathias explains.“ The incentives are completely different.
“ Physics and thermodynamics tell us that nothing is perfect. You know through the energy law that you will always need primary raw materials at one point, but I think we are far from maximising the use of secondary raw materials.”
24 October 2026