InGaGe 1^st progress meeting was successfully held on July 15-16 in Greece, hosted by Metlen, project coordinator, at the Agios Nikolaos alumina plant. As we are going through the project’s third month, the focus was on presenting the necessary steps that will allow the unhindered progress of the project. A strong start was confirmed, with the partners ensuring that the industrial residues and by-products required for material characterisation and optimisation of the recycling processes are secured and that the next steps are ready to take place. Through fruitful discussions and exchange of feedback, partners set the basis for close collaboration, which is essential to achieve the project’s objectives.

During the second day of the meeting the consortium visited the Agios Nikolaos plant facilities and was guided through the operation line for the alumina and integrated gallium production. At this industrial complex, Metlen, the largest vertically integrated aluminum producer in the EU, produces 820,000t of alumina and 185,000t of aluminum and 50Mt of gallium. InGaGe goes one step further and strengthens Metlen’s role as a leading contributor in covering Europe’s need in critical raw materials by integrating a recovery process for Ga from gallium-rich bauxite residues and crude Ga waste. Visiting the plant was an exciting opportunity for the consortium to see firsthand where the pilot for the Ga extraction will take place during the project.

We look forward to our next milestones and invite you to follow our journey on our website and social media.