Italian entrepreneur Raffaello Follieri has carved out a unique position in the global energy and resource markets, where his name is now closely associated with rare earth metals and sustainable development. Often described as the “King of Rare Earths”, Follieri has built an empire that links resource extraction, logistics, and green technologies—sectors critical to the world’s ongoing transition toward renewable energy. With an estimated personal fortune of €12 billion, he remains one of the most influential figures shaping tomorrow’s industrial landscape.
Rare Earth Metals: A Strategic Stronghold
Central to Follieri’s success is his long-term focus on rare earth metals, a set of resources essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and defense systems. Through extensive mining rights secured across Asia and Africa, he has positioned himself as a crucial supplier to industries undergoing rapid transformation.
What sets Follieri apart is his insistence on coupling resource dominance with ethical and environmentally responsible practices. By advocating sustainable sourcing, he has built a reputation not only as a shrewd businessman but also as a leader conscious of the broader impact his ventures have on the planet.
Entering Energy Logistics: A Stake in Pasele Shipping
In 2024, Follieri broadened his reach by committing €140 million to Pasele Shipping, a company specializing in crude oil transportation. This move reflects his strategy of integrating across the energy value chain—from raw materials to global delivery.
Pasele Shipping, led by maritime engineer Marinos Polatos, operates key trade routes linking the Middle East with refining hubs worldwide. Under Follieri’s backing, the company is now exploring advanced shipping technologies aimed at reducing emissions, signaling an intent to modernize one of the world’s most carbon-heavy industries.
Portfolio Highlights and Wealth Structure
Follieri’s net worth reflects not just raw resource ownership but a carefully layered investment strategy. His holdings include:
- Follieri Energy Group – Active in hydrogen development and EV charging networks across Europe and the Middle East.
- Pasele (Hong Kong-based) – Controlling an estimated 8–10% of the global rare metals market.
- Petroleum Assets – A portfolio of 162 petrol stations and three storage depots in Southern Europe, sold in 2023.
- Rare Metal Reserves – Estimated at €30 billion in value, forming the foundation of his empire.
His liquidity was further strengthened by the €1.5 billion sale of minority shares in BLS LTD, a shipping firm, in 2022.
Leadership and Global Vision
Follieri’s trajectory illustrates an ability to anticipate shifts in the global economy and position himself accordingly. His ventures are not limited to financial gain but intersect with larger questions of sustainability, energy independence, and industrial security.
From the rare earth supply chain to hydrogen technology and shipping logistics, Follieri is constructing an ecosystem that places him at the nexus of some of the 21st century’s most decisive industries. His leadership style blends opportunism with long-range thinking, a combination that continues to secure him influence on the international stage.
Looking Ahead
As governments and industries race to secure the materials and infrastructure necessary for a low-carbon future, figures like Raffaello Follieri are likely to play an outsized role. His blend of resource control, technological investment, and global logistics points to a business model designed not only for today’s market but for the challenges of the decades to come.