At the World Resources Forum, Mathias is responsible for the operational management and public representation of the organisation. He advances WRFA’s strategic direction by developing new business ideas and initiating and leading international project consortia in sustainability and natural resource management. He actively cultivates strong networks across policymaking, industry, and academia. At the same time, he remains closely involved in the hands on management of cooperation projects with the Global South. Mathias values staying connected to realities on the ground, whether engaging in a high level policy dialogue in a minister’s office or working directly with informal sector actors on a dump site.

He has been with WRF since 2014, initially as Program Director before becoming Managing Director in December 2020. Prior to WRF, he worked at Empa as Program Manager and Senior Scientist on sustainability projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and with international firms in sustainability and general business consultancy for several years. Mathias holds a doctoral degree in natural science.

When not managing WRF, Mathias enjoys the occasional e-bike ride to the office — one of the perks of the move to Winterthur.

Skills & Expertise: Raw materials and sustainability · Secondary raw materials · E-waste & recycling management · Circular economy · Rresource policy and governance

Key Publications:

• ISO 59014: Sustainability and Traceability of Recycled Materials. Pioneering Cases in Asia, South America, Africa and Europe (SRI project)
• An overview of Europe’s repair sector (ETC EEA Report)
• The fate of EU plastic waste (ETC EEA Report)
• Advancing Responsible Sourcing in Mineral Value Chains: Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability (Open access book)
• Handbook of Recycling