Approved: Greece ministry & Metlen’s €300m gallium push to cut EU import reliance

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The Interministerial Committee for Strategic Investments of the Hellenic Republic has approved a new strategic investment by METLEN Energy & Metals in the ramp-up of gallium production capacity in Greece. It falls within the framework of METLEN's existing bauxite mining and alumina refining operations at the Aluminium of Greece. The initiative, therefore, is set to advance along with the expansion plans for bauxite mines and the alumina refinery situated nearby. 

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The European Union (EU) has categorised gallium as a critical mineral or raw material whose applications span a wide range of enhanced, cutting-edge technologies, such as defence applications, photovoltaic technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence systems, amongst others.

Metlen aims to ramp up the local production capacity in order to reinforce the strength and flexibility of the European industrial supply chains as well as uphold the EU policy objectives on critical minerals and strategic autonomy by reducing import dependency and scaling up domestic capacity.

The total investment value is set at EUR 300 million (USD 348.8 million) and has been recognised to bear strategic significance and importance as regards critical raw materials.

The investment has secured approval under the Strategic Investments framework, becoming the first project covered by the CISAF 6.1 aid scheme, which obtained European Commission clearance in February 2025. The initiative is set to receive nearly EUR 118 million through a mix of grants and tax incentives (USD 137.2 million).  

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