Bernd Schäfer is CEO and Managing Director of EIT RawMaterials, the world’s largest innovation network for the raw materials sector. Since 2020, he has led the organisation at the intersection of industry, investment, innovation, education and policy. EIT RawMaterials manages the European Raw Materials Alliance on behalf of the European Commission and leads the European Raw and Advanced Materials Academies. Bernd brings more than three decades of international leadership in metals, advanced materials and industrial transformation. Before joining EIT RawMaterials, he was CEO of apt Group, a leading aluminium extrusion and processing company. Earlier he served as Global Vice President Commercial at Alcoa, he held responsibility for more then $2 billion business, including market strategy, innovation and the technology roadmap. He has held senior board and committee roles in Germany’s aluminium and metals industries and serves as supervisory board member. As a frequent keynote speaker and media commentator, he contributes to the global debate on critical raw materials, competitiveness, circularity, responsible mining and resilient supply chains.