NZZ Live Event: Critical Raw Materials as a Strategic Bottleneck – Also in Switzerland?

Raw materials form the invisible foundation of our economy – for example, in batteries, data centres and industrial plants. The economics of many raw materials are shaped by geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts and dependence on a handful of countries. This raises key questions:

• How secure is Switzerland’s supply of key raw materials now?
• What role does Switzerland play as a globally significant hub for the trade in raw materials?
• How are geopolitical power shifts and new trade structures changing the international raw materials markets?
• Which raw materials are of particular importance to Switzerland’s key industries?
• How can access to these raw materials be secured in the long term – what approaches are being pursued abroad (e.g. in the EU, the US or Japan)?
• What would be the best course of action for Switzerland?
• And what responsibilities do policymakers, businesses and Switzerland as a business location have in this regard?

We will be addressing these questions on 28 October 2026 at an NZZ Live event (in German). Alessandra Hool, CEO of the ESM Foundation, will discuss and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Swiss raw materials policy alongside other experts from the worlds of business, academia and politics, and explore possible solutions.

Participation is possible either online or in person.