ADQ and Eni Sign Agreement to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply Chains

ADQ has signed an agreement with Rome-based energy tech company Eni to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals needed for the energy transition. The collaboration aims to identify strategic areas where both companies can cooperate across the entire minerals value chain—from mining to refining, processing, and downstream applications.

Key Areas of Focus

• Regional Investments: The partnership will target key regions such as Africa, North America, and Central Asia. Both companies will explore opportunities and synergies in these areas to secure critical mineral resources.
• Establishing Facilities: The agreement will assess the potential for setting up refining and processing facilities in the UAE, Italy, and other strategic hubs, aiming to boost the production and processing of essential minerals.

Rising Demand for Critical Minerals

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the consumption of critical minerals could increase sixfold by 2050. This surge is driven by the growing use of clean energy technologies—electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and energy storage systems—which depend on minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements.

Leaders’ Perspectives

Hamad Al Hammadi, Deputy Group CEO of ADQ, stated,

“As the world transitions to cleaner energy solutions, safeguarding a stable and resilient supply of critical minerals is essential for enabling the development and deployment of technologies that drive this fundamental change. Through our MoU with Eni, we aim to combine our expertise and capabilities to develop high-impact projects across the entire value chain that ensure the availability and affordability of these critical resources.”

Claudio Descalzi, CEO of Eni, added,

“The agreement with ADQ is part of our partnership with the UAE and a testament to our shared commitment to a sustainable energy future. Together, we will develop initiatives in areas that are essential to the energy transition.”

What This Means for the Energy Sector

Eni, operating in 62 countries, is working toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and is investing heavily in decarbonization and sustainable technologies. This agreement with ADQ complements its global strategy. At the same time, ADQ continues to invest in key projects like Orion Abu Dhabi, a joint venture focused on metals and materials critical to sustainable growth.

The partnership is a clear response to the increasing global demand for critical minerals. By working together, ADQ and Eni aim to create a resilient, secure supply chain that supports the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies worldwide.