Metlen Energy & Metals Achieves Gallium Production Milestone in Europe

Published: Jan 30, 2026 21:51

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According to foreign media: Evangelos Mytilineos, founder and CEO of Metlen Energy & Metals, recently announced on social media that the global industrial and energy company has successfully produced 5 kg of gallium. This marks a milestone in Europe's critical minerals roadmap, as gallium, a by-product of bauxite, plays a vital role in electronics and semiconductors.
Although the initial production volume is limited, it represents a foundational step toward large-scale rare earth mineral production. The process was carried out at the historic "Hellenic Aluminum" plant in central Greece.
Metlen, located in Boeotia, plans to increase gallium production to 5–10 mt by 2026. This will be supported by a broader €295.5 billion investment program launched in March, aimed at expanding Greece's bauxite, alumina, and gallium production capacity. The expansion is designed to enhance Europe's access to critical upstream materials while reducing reliance on external suppliers.
The company positions this investment as a strategic lever for Europe's metallurgical and mining industries, noting that it is currently the only project that simultaneously strengthens EU autonomy in bauxite, alumina (and aluminum), and gallium—all classified as "critical raw materials."
A recent article by the German business daily Handelsblatt further highlighted Metlen's growing role in Europe's critical minerals strategy, particularly in the context of China controlling over 98% of the global gallium supply. The

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