Greece's METLEN agrees to supply US company with gallium (updated)

Metlen Energy & Metals

29/07/2026 07:42

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July 29 (Reuters) - Greek aluminum producer METLEN Energy & Metals said on Wednesday that it signed a long-term agreement to supply a U.S. technology company with the critical mineral gallium.
METLEN did not disclose the name of the U.S. company or the value of the deal but said it will absorb 25% of its annual production.
The Greek company aims to launch gallium production in 2027, ramping up to an annual output of 50 metric tons by 2028, which can fully cover the European Union’s needs.
China's clampdown on critical minerals such as gallium, used in defence applications, AI industry and in semiconductors, has spurred the West to build its own domestic supplies of the elements.
METLEN said in a press release that the agreement marks the first major commercial gallium supply between a European producer and a leading US technological company.
The European Commission published last year a list of 47 strategic projects, including in Greece, to boost the EU’s production of materials it deems critical for its energy transition and security.
Gallium, which is also used in high-quality semiconductors, is among them. The gallium facility has been named a strategic project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to increase domestic supply of critical raw materials, many of which are dominated by China.

 (Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas and Antonis Pothitos, Editing by Louise Heavens)