Metlen Invests €295.5 Million in Greece for Europe's First Industrial Gallium Production

Landmark Investment to Secure Critical Raw Materials

Metlen Energy & Metals has committed a substantial investment of €295.5 million to develop an integrated production line for bauxite, alumina, and, notably, gallium in Greece. This initiative marks a pivotal step towards enhancing Europe's self-sufficiency in critical raw materials, a move deemed essential amidst global geopolitical uncertainties and increasing demand for advanced technological components. The project is situated at the historic Aluminium of Greece industrial complex in Asprá Spítia, Boeotia (Viotia), Central Greece.

Europe's First Industrial Gallium Production

The core of this investment is the establishment of Europe's first industrial-scale gallium production unit. Metlen aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 50 metric tonnes of gallium by 2028. This follows a successful pilot phase which has already yielded the first 5 kilograms of the critical metal. The company targets a ramp-up to 5-10 tonnes in 2026. Gallium is a byproduct of refining certain grades of bauxite into alumina, and its production has historically been heavily concentrated outside Europe.

Strategic Importance and EU Recognition

Gallium is indispensable for a wide array of high-tech applications, including semiconductors, telecommunications systems, high-efficiency photovoltaics, LEDs, and critical defense industry components such as radar, communications, satellites, and precision equipment. Both the U.S. and the EU classify gallium as a strategic material. Europe's reliance on external sources, particularly following China's export restrictions in July 2023, underscored the urgent need for diversified supply chains.

In recognition of its strategic significance, Metlen's investment has been officially designated as a Strategic Project by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This designation, ratified on March 25, 2025, facilitates faster permitting processes, access to European funding, and enhanced support from the EU. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has further bolstered the project with €90 million in financing.

Broader Production Expansion

Beyond gallium, the comprehensive investment plan also includes significant enhancements to the production of other vital raw materials:

• Bauxite: Annual production is projected to increase to approximately 2 million tonnes.
• Alumina: Annual production is set to rise from 865,000 tonnes to 1.265 million tonnes.

This integrated approach, championed by Evangelos Mytilineos, Chairman and CEO of Metlen, aims to strengthen Europe's industrial base and reduce its vulnerability to supply chain disruptions across multiple critical materials.