In March 2024, Allard Castelein was appointed Special Representative for the Raw Materials Strategy by the Minister of Economic Affairs. In this role, he is focused on securing the supply of raw materials and work on sustainable extraction, refining and circularity in the Netherlands and the EU. As a Special Representative, Castelein will work closely with international partners, policymakers, and industry leaders to develop sustainable value chains and reduce Europe’s dependence on non-EU countries.

Castelein has built an impressive career in the industrial sector. During his years at Shell, he held the position of Vice President for Environment where he led international programmes focused on environmental management and strategic innovation.

In 2014, Castelein was appointed CEO of the Port of Rotterdam. In this role, which he held until 2023, he played a key part in transforming the port into a global leader in logistics, the energy transition, and digitalisation. He was a driving force behind large-scale CO₂ reduction projects and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure, including hydrogen initiatives. His ability to forge effective public-private partnerships was central to the success of these projects.