With a new initiative, the EU aims to make it easier for companies to gain access to strategically important raw materials and energy sources. On 2 July 2025, the European Commission officially presented the EU Energy and Raw Materials Platform. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s trading position on global markets by pooling demand.

Efficient market access through bundled demand

Companies can use the platform to report their specific requirements. The Commission collects these expressions of interest by a predetermined deadline. European and international suppliers are then invited to submit suitable offers. The platform serves as an intermediary: it supports the matchmaking between demand and supply without contracts being concluded on the platform itself.

In addition, the platform promotes projects that could strengthen the resilience of European supply chains and provides information on financing options.

Product groups to be covered by the platform

  • Hydrogen, ammonia, methanol and sustainable aviation fuels (eSAF)
  • Biomethane, liquefied natural gas, natural gas
  • Critical raw materials such as lithium and rare earths

A separate procurement mechanism will be set up for each group. It is conceivable that the list will be expanded to include other raw materials.

Current status and timetable

Interested companies can already register. For the Hydrogen Mechanism – which includes ammonia, methanol and eSAFs in addition to hydrogen – the first round of matching supply and demand is planned for September 2025.

The Raw Materials Mechanism is to be activated for registration from September; the first mediation round is scheduled for early 2026. There is no explicit information yet on the launch of the Gas Mechanism.

The new EU platform builds on the experience gained with the AggregateEU gas procurement platform launched in spring 2023, which is now to be integrated into the new solution.

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Source: GTAI (in German)