Aberdeen Launches Fund Targeting Critical Minerals for AI Era

Aberdeen Asset Management Thailand sees strategic minerals as vital raw materials powering the future economy, driven by simultaneous demand growth in AI, semiconductors, electric vehicles, and clean energy, against a backdrop of production capacity and supply chain limitations. The firm points to investment opportunities extending beyond mining companies to encompass producers and processors of raw materials. It is moving ahead with the launch of the ABRAW-A fund, investing in global equities under the Future Raw Materials theme.

As of November 2, 2026, the wave of technological change and transition to a new economic era is creating demand for raw materials critical to global industries — especially critical minerals, which are key components in technologies ranging from artificial intelligence and semiconductors to electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and the development of power grids and clean energy. These minerals are no longer mere commodities but are becoming strategic resources crucial to economic direction and long-term investment opportunities.

Aberdeen Asset Management (Thailand) Ltd., or Aberdeen Thailand, held an investment outlook forum on the Future Raw Materials theme, highlighting the role of strategic minerals as the raw materials behind global mega-trends, and presenting approaches to finding investment opportunities in companies within the supply chain of future raw materials amid rising demand and production capacity constraints.

Future Raw Materials: Raw Materials Behind the New Economy

Mr. Robert Penaloza, Chief Executive Officer of Aberdeen Asset Management (Thailand) Ltd., stated that the world is rapidly moving into a new economy through key mega-trends — AI, electric vehicles, electric grid upgrades, semiconductors, data centers, and the energy transition — with strategic minerals as the critical raw materials behind these technologies.

Key minerals include copper, lithium, nickel, aluminum, and rare earths, which are essential for modern industry. Technological growth drives continuously rising demand for these minerals, while supply remains constrained in expanding production capacity.

A critical factor is that developing new mines takes a long time — from exploration and permitting to financing, construction, and commercial production — often spanning decades. This differs from technology or software development, which can accelerate within months or even hours with AI assistance.

This development timeline gap means raw material demand may grow faster than production capacity, creating a supply-demand imbalance that could support mineral prices and the growth of companies in the future raw materials supply chain.

Investment Opportunities Extend Beyond Mines to the Full Value Chain

However, seeking investment opportunities in the Future Raw Materials theme should not be limited to companies owning mines or resources alone. Investors must consider players across the entire value chain, particularly businesses capable of extracting, processing, and developing raw materials to meet the specifications required by end-use industries.

Mr. Badin Kasemset, Chief Executive Officer of Silicon Craft Technology...