Greek industrial giant Metlen is rapidly cementing its position in the global tech supply chain after securing a significant long term deal to provide gallium to a major Japanese chemical firm. This latest agreement allocates roughly 16 percent of the annual yield from Metlen’s upcoming production site, marking the second time the company has pre sold its output before the plant even opens. The facility, which is slated to start commercial operations in late 2027, aims for a total capacity of 50 metric tons per year, and leadership expects every ounce of that production to be spoken for well before the doors open.
The venture represents a milestone for European industry as it establishes the continent’s first integrated gallium production pipeline. By leveraging proprietary technology and sourcing materials from its own Aluminium of Greece plant, Metlen is creating a streamlined process for extracting this rare metal. This move comes at a critical time when global manufacturers are desperate to diversify their sources of gallium, a component essential for everything from artificial intelligence hardware and defense systems to telecommunications and green energy infrastructure.
Metlen Executive Chairman Evangelos Mytilineos noted that the level of international interest in the project has surpassed all internal projections. He suggested that these back to back deals reflect an urgent global demand for stable and diversified supply chains away from traditionally dominant markets. According to Mytilineos, this investment does more than just grow a business; it integrates Greece into a sophisticated new technology ecosystem while helping Europe secure its footing in a market vital for future innovation.
This Japanese partnership follows another landmark deal signed last year with a prominent United States technology company, which claimed about 25 percent of the projected output. Because of its strategic importance, the European Commission has formally labeled the facility as a Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act. To ensure its completion, the project has also received financial backing from the European Investment Bank via the REPowerEU framework, highlighting how central this refinery is to broader geopolitical goals regarding resource independence.