Asia Zero Emission Center

Critical Minerals

Critical Minerals

Secured and resilient critical mineral supply chains are essential for advancing the energy transition, particularly for minerals such as nickel, tin, rare-earth elements, and bauxite. These materials underpin the production of wind turbines, advanced batteries, electrolysers, and clean energy grids.

Global demand for critical minerals is projected to rise sharply, from 7.1 million tonnes in 2020 to 42.3 million tonnes by 2050. Southeast Asia holds substantial reserves of these resources, positioning the region as a key player in the global energy transition. The Center conducts research to examine both the opportunities and challenges surrounding critical minerals in Southeast Asia, with a focus on building secure, sustainable, and resilient supply chains.