The European Union is gearing up to introduce a joint purchasing platform for critical resources, starting with hydrogen in September. This initiative aims to enhance negotiation power for better deals on essential minerals crucial for the green transition. The platform, developed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and a Slovak software company, will follow the success of AggregateEU, a mechanism created during the 2022 energy crisis. While AggregateEU required member states to provide gas demand volumes, the new setup will operate on a voluntary basis. Although met with criticism from some industry sources, the platform's objective is to facilitate deals by providing necessary information without directly interfering in market activities. The EU's move is driven by the need to counter thin and opaque markets dominated by China. The joint purchasing platform will aim to level the playing field and provide a more transparent environment for critical resource transactions. While the platform will not disclose prices due to commercial sensitivity, it will focus on matching supply and demand efficiently. Overall, the EU's initiative signals a step towards promoting fairer trade practices and ensuring a smoother transition towards sustainable resources in the region.