Greece Approves €340 Million Gallium Project to Meet EU Demand by 2028
Updated
Updated · Greek Reporter · May 19
Greece Approves €340 Million Gallium Project to Meet EU Demand by 2028
4 articles · Updated · Greek Reporter · May 19
€340 million in Greek-approved investment will let METLEN build gallium output aimed at fully covering EU demand, with production scheduled to start in 2027.
40 to 45 metric tons a year are expected from METLEN’s Central Greece chain of bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminum production, where gallium is recovered as a byproduct.
China’s export curbs on gallium and germanium have sharpened the project’s strategic value as Brussels tries to secure supplies for semiconductors, defense systems, 5G, AI and solar technologies.
71% of EU gallium imports and 45% of germanium imports currently come from China, making the Greek project part of Europe’s broader push for critical-minerals autonomy.
Beyond strategic security, can Metlen’s €300M gallium bet prove profitable against established low-cost competition?
Is turning industrial byproducts into a tech super-metal the key to securing Europe’s high-tech future?