Interview with Erich Bürgi
- Nina Albrecht
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Voices from the industry
“ The net-zero target by 2050 is ambitious, but achievable – provided we manage to break through old ways of thinking. To effectively use the leverage in the building sector, a fundamental transformation is needed in the political framework and within us manufacturers ourselves. ”
Mr. Bürgi, geopolitical tensions, the global energy crisis, and volatile supply chains have significantly impacted the construction industry in recent years. What specific effects are you currently experiencing on the Swiss construction sector – and what does this mean for you as a manufacturer of roofing systems and insulation materials?
The geopolitical tensions and resulting crises of recent years have painfully demonstrated how fragile global economic interconnections are. What begins as an isolated crisis in one region can quickly lead to disruptions in global supply chains.
For us as a manufacturer of roofing systems, the situation has changed drastically: We are experiencing a strong dependence on essential raw materials. The direct consequences of this unstable situation shape our daily work on the front line: unpredictable material shortages, significantly extended delivery times, and massive price increases that we have to absorb or pass on along the value chain.
For the Swiss construction industry, this primarily means a loss of planning certainty and enormous margin pressure. To respond to this volatility, we have fundamentally restructured our procurement logistics. Instead of single sourcing, we are consistently pursuing a multi-supplier strategy to minimize concentration risks. Furthermore, we are strategically diversifying our material types and raw materials. This means that we are increasingly examining alternative components, making formulations more flexible, and strengthening regional supply chains.
Only through this strategic agility can we guarantee delivery capability for our customers in Switzerland, even in turbulent times.
Switzerland has set itself the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 – with particularly significant leverage in the building sector. From your perspective, how must the construction industry change in the coming years to realistically achieve this climate target – and what role do manufacturers play in this?
The net-zero target by 2050 is ambitious, but achievable – provided we manage to break through old ways of thinking. To effectively leverage the building sector, a fundamental transformation is needed in the political framework and within us as manufacturers ourselves.
Our current building regulations and standards are often too rigid and stifle innovation. A radical rethink is needed at the regulatory level. We urgently need more flexibility in the approval processes – be it regarding the colors, shapes, or dimensions of building components – to make climate-optimized architecture possible on a broad scale.
At the same time, the industry must clearly define what sustainability means in concrete terms and standardize the corresponding measurement methods. Without transparency, sustainability remains a vague concept. As a manufacturer, we see it as our duty to take on a pioneering role.
For us, this means: We are consistently streamlining production for energy efficiency, accelerating the phase-out of fossil fuels, and designing products from the ground up in terms of closed-loop systems. The materials of a roofing system must not be waste at the end of its life cycle. We are developing our systems today so that they are completely dismantled and recyclable. If policymakers, planners, and manufacturers work hand in hand, net zero will become a reality by 2050.
How has Bauder specifically developed its product range with regard to sustainability in recent years – and what development steps are you planning next?
Sustainability is not a vague marketing term for us, but the result of measurable facts. In recent years, we have strategically and consistently aligned our product range with this goal. The first step was creating a solid data foundation:
We have installed state-of-the-art measuring instruments in all our production plants. This is because targeted process optimization is only possible with reliable data on consumption and emissions. Based on this information, we continuously optimize our raw materials. We are using more climate-friendly flame retardants, integrating renewable raw materials and recycled components, and thus gradually reducing the ecological footprint of our product range.
A milestone in this development is our BauderECO insulation line. The next major steps are already well underway and focus on a true circular economy – for example, through innovative sealing membranes designed from the outset for a second product life. For us, every innovation is guided by the principle: what remains airtight and provides long-lasting insulation is truly sustainable.
A roof system that functions absolutely reliably for decades optimally protects the building structure, prevents premature renovations and thus conserves the most valuable resources of all – energy and materials – in the long term.
What makes it particularly difficult for planners, building owners and contractors to consistently use sustainable building products today?
The market's willingness to embrace sustainable construction is extremely high. However, if practical implementation falters, this is primarily due to the lack of comparability of sustainability certifications. The current variety of labels is overwhelming. For planners, building owners, and contractors, objectively comparing this data is time-consuming. Furthermore, lifespan and system reliability must not be overlooked in life cycle assessments. A theoretically perfect product that needs replacing after 15 years is far worse off ecologically and economically than a high-quality system component with a 40-year lifespan. Unfortunately, we often see building materials with excellent eco-labels today that, due to their sensitivity under real-world weather conditions, are difficult to install safely on construction sites. For us, true sustainability means: ecologically produced, durable in practice, and absolutely suitable for construction sites.
Bauder has decided to enter into a partnership with Materius. What prompted this step – and what specific benefits do you expect from it?
The partnership with Materius is the logical response to these market challenges. We don't just want to talk about the hurdles to sustainable construction, but actively provide digital tools that break down these barriers.
We expect this collaboration to provide three key impetus for the Swiss market:
1. Genuine comparability and transparency: Materius brings clarity to the label jungle. The platform consolidates information so that all stakeholders can easily compare different building materials based purely on facts.
2. The right product in the right place: An insulation or sealing system is most sustainable when it is optimized for the specific application. Our comprehensive database ensures that architects and planners select precisely the building products that deliver the best technical and environmental performance for their specific project.
3. Focus on material ecology instead of bureaucracy: A building product cannot be reduced to a single characteristic – ingredients, origin, processing, and deconstruction are all interconnected. Materius makes these levels visible and readily understandable side by side. We shift the focus away from pure bureaucracy towards a holistic, pragmatic consideration of actual material ecology.
In short: This partnership makes sustainability in the Swiss construction industry measurable, transparent and uncomplicated in everyday planning.
