Europe’s first gallium production facility
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has backed Europe’s first gallium production with an investment of $90 million.
The financing will go to METLEN Energy & Metals in Greece.
The project will strengthen EU supply of critical raw materials essential for the green and digital transition.
The initiative includes the modernisation of bauxite mining operations, a key input for aluminium production, as well as the development of a new gallium production facility, marking a major step towards reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
The investment is fully aligned with the objectives of the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and contributes to reducing the EU’s reliance on imports, while improving the resilience and sustainability of European industrial value chains.
EIB Vice-President, Yannis Tsakiris, said: “This investment is a landmark for Europe’s industrial and strategic autonomy. By supporting METLEN, the EIB is backing Europe’s first EIB-financed gallium production project, strengthening the security of supply of critical raw materials that are indispensable for the green and digital transitions.
“It is a clear example of how European financing can support industrial innovation, regional development and climate action at the same time.”
The EIB financing is provided under the REPowerEU framework, supporting investments that enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness and energy transition.
The project will contribute to job creation and retention, support regional cohesion, and reduce the environmental footprint of mining and processing activities through the deployment of more sustainable and modern industrial practices.
Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of METLEN, added: “METLEN demonstrates that it can play a leading role in shaping a resilient, green and competitive European industry. With the financing of the EIB, we confirm the strategic importance of our investment for Europe.
“We are implementing a landmark project that decisively strengthens Europe’s self-sufficiency in critical raw materials by bringing gallium into industrial production within the European Union for the first time, while reinforcing regional cohesion and Greece’s industrial base.”
This operation represents the third financing by the EIB to METLEN, further strengthening the long-standing and successful cooperation between the two institutions
