Industry circles: EU financial support is needed in investment for critical raw materials

Additional support from European Union (Ee) European funds are needed to ensure self -sufficiency in critical raw materials, according to top industrial factors, in addition to indirect support investment.

The list of the 47 EU strategic investment for critical raw materials recently announced includes the Metlen Energy & Metals investment in Agios Nikolaos Boeotia for the production of Galli in quantities that will fully meet European needs. According to competent sources, the investment will begin this year and is expected to be completed in 2027 regardless of financial support. However, a request for joining the European Innovation Fund has been made with the same sources reporting that it would be strange not to integrate an investment associated with the production of three critical raw materials (bauxite, alumina and gallium).

The same sources have said that the main problem of European industry, and in particular of metallurgy, is the energy costs for which they have supported a solution could be provided either by expanding the liquefied natural gas infrastructure or by reopening the supply from Russia.

As reported yesterday (27.3.2025) Metlen’s President and CEO, Evangelos Mytilineosduring the visit of European Commission Executive Vice President Stéphane Séjourné to Metlen’s industrial facilities in Boeotia: “Competitiveness for a metallurgy factory in Europe means energy. And energy is an issue that so far has not received the attention of the Commission. That is why, with your presence here – for which I warmly thank you – I ask you to use all your strength and influence to change the committee’s mentality and change the industry. “

Source: RES – EIA