Metlen lands landmark US gallium supply deal as Europe builds alternative critical minerals chain

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Europe's efforts to build an alternative supply chain for critical raw materials have taken another step forward after Metlen signed a landmark long-term agreement to supply a leading US technology company with approximately 25 per cent of the annual gallium output from its planned production facility in Greece.

The agreement, described by Metlen as the first major commercial gallium supply agreement between a European producer and a leading US technology company, will draw material from the company's planned Greek facility, which is expected to produce 50 tonnes of gallium annually from 2028.

Gallium forms alloys with metals including aluminium, gold and silver, making it an essential raw material for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced renewable energy infrastructure, telecommunications and defence technologies.

A milestone for Europe and Greece

Metlen said the agreement is the outcome of years of research carried out by its in-house research and development teams at the Aluminium of Greece industrial complex, working alongside the company's newly established Critical & Rare Metals business.

Executive Chairman Evangelos Mytilineos described the project as a milestone for both the company and Europe's metallurgical industry.

"We are particularly proud that Metlen is pioneering a completely new industrial chapter for both Greece and Europe; the successful development of gallium production carried out by our teams at Aluminium of Greece."

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He added that the agreement demonstrates growing international confidence in the company's capabilities.

"For the first time in Metlen's history, one of our metallurgical products has attracted such strong interest from leading industrial economies worldwide."

"This reflects both the strategic importance of gallium and the confidence of global technology leaders in the quality and reliability of our material, which has already undergone extensive qualification testing."

Reducing Europe's import dependence

The agreement comes as Europe looks to diversify supplies of critical raw materials amid the heavy concentration of global gallium production.

Metlen noted that developing reliable alternative supply sources has become strategically important for industrial economies worldwide.

Earlier this year, the Interministerial Committee for Strategic Investments of the Hellenic Republic approved Metlen's EUR 300 million investment to expand gallium production alongside its existing bauxite mining and alumina refining operations at the Aluminium of Greece complex.

The project aims to strengthen European industrial supply chains, support the European Union's strategic autonomy objectives and reduce dependence on imported critical raw materials by expanding domestic production capacity. The investment has also secured approval under Greece's Strategic Investments framework and is expected to receive nearly EUR 118 million through grants and tax incentives.

Strategic recognition

Metlen's gallium investment has already been recognised by the European Commission as a Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

The project has also received backing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which approved financing under the REPowerEU framework, further reinforcing its strategic importance to Europe's future critical minerals supply chain.

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