Circular Talk with Stephan Bachmann, CEO World of Pi
"Anyone who demands circular criteria is changing not only their own product portfolio, but also the market."
How can an industry remain profitable when fewer products are being sold? Stephan Bachmann, the former CEO of Architonic, is focusing on the answer to this question with his start-up, World of Pi, which is based on the concept of circularity. In this Circular Talk, he discusses smart product passports, digital infrastructures, and the fact that change in the interior and architecture industry will only succeed if products themselves become carriers of value.
CLIMATEX: From Architonic to World of Pi - how did your journey lead you to found a start-up for circular product solutions?
Stephan Bachmann: I studied Computer Science and later became CEO of Architonic, ArchDaily and Designboom — platforms deeply rooted in the worlds of design and architecture. With World of Pi, we are supporting these industries in moving towards a more sustainable future by developing digital solutions such as smart product passports. These make it easier for manufacturers to keep products in circulation and open up new business models.
What are your specific goals with World of Pi?
Our goal is to separate economic growth from resource exploitation, establish a circular economy and provide the digital infrastructure for the circular furniture industry. Over the next few years, our goal is to ensure that as many products as possible are smart, in order to simplify tracking, care, repair, maintenance, ordering of spare parts, collection and resale. This will create new revenue streams for manufacturers while ensuring their products last longer.
"The industry is not looking for another isolated solution; it needs an infrastructure that will grow with it."
Stephan Bachmann
CEO & Co-Founder World of Pi
You have already acquired an exciting brand portfolio for World of Pi. What feedback do you get from the industry?
Our partners, including Zumtobel, Girsberger and Ruckstuhl, all rely on our digital solutions, such as smart product passports and recommerce stores. We are seeing a willingness to change, but there is a need for simple, scalable solutions. Furthermore, the industry is not looking for another isolated solution; it needs an infrastructure that can grow alongside it.
You provide an answer to the question, "How can manufacturers remain profitable if sustainability means selling fewer new products? " Could you please explain further?
Manufacturers can remain profitable by creating new added value from existing products. For example, a simple scan of a QR code on a parquet floor can be used to order suitable care products. This increases the floor's lifespan and generates revenue for the manufacturer. Similarly, a broken office chair could be used to order maintenance services. This makes circular processes more efficient and turns them into profit-making opportunities.
“Those who adopt circular processes can become more resilient – both economically and environmentally.”
How many new, "virgin" resources can we responsibly use today?
As few as possible. This is not only because of the environment, but also because dependencies, geopolitical risks and rising prices are making it increasingly difficult to procure materials. Those who rely on circular processes will become more resilient, both economically and ecologically. However, products must first be designed to be repairable and recyclable.
Let's talk about the Digital Product Passport (DPP). The EU intends to introduce it in 2027, but the market is not ready yet. How can you provide support in this area?
Our smart product passports already meet the DPP requirements today, with minimal effort required from manufacturers. We integrate them into existing systems, enabling our partners to prepare for regulatory requirements without having to start their own IT projects. A notable lighthouse project is our collaboration with Zumtobel, one of the world's leading luminaire manufacturers. Following a successful pilot project, our smart product passport for the "Izura" lighting is now being rolled out across the entire market. We have also developed a digital service book for product maintenance. The same QR code on the product can be used to assign different access rights and activate various functions.
You also focus on resale and recommerce. How do you approach this?
With Resell, we are closing the loop. We believe that manufacturers should profit from their durable, repairable products. Currently, most of them are giving away their second-life income to eBay and other platforms. That's why we set up re-commerce stores for brands. Next, we plan to connect our smart product passports directly to these stores to streamline this business model.
“Many principles, including transparency, circular use, and the need for a clear product-level communication interface, apply equally to sports equipment, textile products, and the components industry.”
The founding team of World of Pi has a background in architecture, interior design and furniture. Are there industry solutions that could also be exciting for other sectors?
Our expertise clearly lies in the world of furniture and interior design, where we have an in-depth knowledge of the processes, challenges and market mechanisms. Many of the principles of transparency, circular use and attractive communication interfaces that apply to interior products also apply to sporting goods, textiles and other components. At the same time, we design our solutions in ways that allow them to be transferred to other We are open to new industries, especially those facing similar challenges.
How many touchpoints do you have with the textile industry? Do you have ideas or advice to share with us?
We are currently working on a circular textile project with Rrrevolve, a Swiss retailer and pioneer of sustainable and fair clothing. The project aims to enable consumers to track the origin of their T-shirt and how it can be returned to the production cycle. This demonstrates that new, credible models can be implemented in the textile industry through smart product passports and straightforward return logistics.
When it comes to recycling, systemic solutions are currently leading the way in the circular economy, particularly in the textile industry, due to the complexity of recycling. What approach are you taking for World of Pi?
Our smart product passports display information about components and recycling. However, our solution starts much earlier than that. We focus on extending use, keeping products in circulation and enabling maintenance and remanufacturing. Recycling only comes into play once all of these options have been exhausted. Systemic solutions require one thing above all else: reliable data and a digital identity.
“I see significant potential in procurement: requiring circular criteria today can shape not only one’s own product portfolio, but the market more broadly.”
What potential do you currently see for the circular economy?
Durable products are used wherever they are needed, whether that be in public spaces, offices or educational settings. I see a lot of potential in supply chain management in particular. Anyone who adopts circular criteria is not only changing their own product portfolio, but also the market. Furthermore, the demand for pre-loved products is growing.
Which hurdles need to be overcome?
Many people talk about the circular economy – but as long as no specific requirements are set for product manufacturing and sourcing, it remains a theory. We have witnessed first-hand that as soon as one of our partners' customers specifies circular criteria, things start to move. Municipalities, SMEs and corporations can initiate real change by setting clear procurement guidelines, which will have an impact on the entire supply chain and contribute measurably to sustainability.
Which way is the World of Pi heading?
Our goal is to develop smart products that offer real added value to manufacturers and their customers, and that will drive the transformation from a linear to a circular economy. We want to set industry-wide standards and, over the next few years, open up further industries step by step.