METLEN Energy & Metals S.A. has entered into a long-term commercial agreement with a major Japanese chemical company to supply gallium from its upcoming production facility in Greece. Under the contract, the Greek industrial group will commit up to 16% of its planned annual gallium output to the Japanese buyer.
The deal marks the second major commercial off-take agreement METLEN has secured for its gallium project, highlighting strong global demand for non-concentrated, resilient critical raw material supply chains. As international semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturers work to diversify their sourcing away from single-region dependence, METLEN is positioning itself as a dependable, long-term European supplier.
METLEN operates the only vertically integrated bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium manufacturing complex in the European Union. Its gallium extraction plant, currently under construction, relies on proprietary extraction technology combined with secured feedstock directly from its Aluminium of Greece refinery. This closed-loop industrial framework provides large-scale production capabilities unique within Europe.
With this latest commitment, the company expects its entire projected output of 50 metric tons (MT) per year to be fully booked months ahead of commercial startup, which remains slated for the third quarter of 2027.
“The international response to our gallium project continues to exceed expectations,” said Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of METLEN. “The successive commercial agreements we are announcing demonstrate that global industry is actively seeking reliable, high-quality, and diversified supply sources. Through this investment, Greece is becoming part of a new global technology ecosystem, while Europe is steadily establishing its role in a strategic market that will underpin the next generation of industrial and technological innovation.”
Beyond gallium supply, the agreement further validates the market strategy of METLEN’s Critical & Rare Metals (CRM) division, a key branch under its M Metals business unit. As gallium serves as an essential raw material for wide-bandgap power devices, 5G infrastructure, electric vehicles, and next-generation semiconductors, the venture strengthens Greece’s standing as an emerging hub for strategic mineral security across the European continent.
