EIB Approves €90M to METLEN to Secure Europe’s Supply of Gallium and Bauxite for the Green and Digital Transitions

Gallium is a key input for semiconductors, power electronics, photovoltaics, LEDs, and advanced defence systems, while bauxite underpins Europe’s aluminium value chain.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €90 million in financing for METLEN Energy & Metals, backing strategic investments at the company’s historic Aluminium of Greece industrial complex in Central Greece. The project aims to strengthen the European Union’s supply of bauxite and gallium—two critical raw materials essential for Europe’s green, digital, and defence-related industries.

The investment will modernise bauxite mining operations and support the development of Europe’s first EIB-financed gallium production facility, marking a significant step toward reinforcing the EU’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.

From Strategic Risk to Industrial Capability

Gallium is a key input for semiconductors, power electronics, photovoltaics, LEDs, and advanced defence systems, while bauxite underpins Europe’s aluminium value chain. Global supply of both materials is highly concentrated outside the EU, making them focal points of industrial and geopolitical risk.

The METLEN project directly addresses this vulnerability by:

• Modernising bauxite extraction to secure aluminium supply

• Bringing gallium into industrial-scale production within the EU

• Strengthening vertically integrated European value chains

• Reducing reliance on external suppliers

The investment is fully aligned with the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and supports EU objectives to build resilient, sustainable, and competitive industrial ecosystems.

“This investment is a landmark for Europe’s industrial and strategic autonomy,” said Yannis Tsakiris, EIB Vice-President. “By supporting METLEN, the EIB is backing Europe’s first EIB-financed gallium production project—critical for the green and digital transitions.”

Backed by REPowerEU and Europe’s Industrial Strategy

The financing is provided under the REPowerEU framework, linking industrial competitiveness with energy transition and supply security.

Investments will be implemented at two sites in Central Greece:

• Parnassus–Giona: modernisation of METLEN’s bauxite mining operations

• Agios Nikolaos, Viotia: expansion of the Aluminium of Greece complex to host the new gallium production facility

Beyond supply security, the project is expected to:

• Support job creation and retention

• Strengthen regional cohesion

• Reduce environmental impact through modern, more sustainable mining and processing practices

A Signal for Europe’s Deep-Tech and Industrial Base

METLEN is one of the EU’s leading vertically integrated aluminium producers and the largest bauxite producer in the Union. The project positions the company—and Greece—as a strategic node in Europe’s future materials ecosystem.

“With the financing of the EIB, we are implementing a landmark project that decisively strengthens Europe’s self-sufficiency in critical raw materials,” said Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of METLEN. “For the first time, gallium will enter industrial production within the European Union.”

This is the third EIB financing operation with METLEN, underscoring a long-standing partnership focused on industrial transformation and resilience.

Why This Matters for Tech, Energy, and Manufacturing Leaders

For semiconductor manufacturers, clean-energy developers, defence contractors, and advanced-manufacturing firms, the project sends a clear signal: Europe is rebuilding its materials backbone at home.

Gallium is foundational to:

• Power electronics for electric vehicles and grids

• High-efficiency solar technologies

• Advanced chips and optoelectronics

• Defence and space systems

Call to Action: Build Europe’s Tech Future on Secure Materials

As Europe accelerates its green and digital transitions, early adopters and partners are encouraged to:

• Align supply chains with EU-based critical material producers

• Invest in materials-efficient and circular technologies

• Partner with industrial leaders scaling strategic raw materials

• Support innovation that links mining, metallurgy, and advanced manufacturing

With EIB backing and CRMA alignment, METLEN’s investment highlights a decisive shift: Europe’s clean and digital future depends on securing the materials beneath it.