Companies listed across Euronext Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels are increasingly focused on mineral processing, refining, recycling and critical-material supply chains rather than traditional mining operations alone. Developments involving Eramet, Imerys, AMG Critical Materials, Umicore and ArcelorMittal highlight Europe’s growing emphasis on controlling midstream capabilities that convert raw materials into industrial products.
The companies represent different parts of the strategic-materials chain, including manganese, nickel, lithium, chrome, specialty metals, recycling and steel-related raw materials.
Eramet Focuses on Financial Recovery and Mineral Assets
Eramet remains one of the largest mining-related companies on the French market, with operations spanning manganese, nickel, mineral sands and lithium activities.
In the first quarter of 2026, the company reported adjusted turnover of €840 million, representing a 13% year-on-year increase. The improvement was driven by higher manganese ore sales and significantly increased nickel ore volumes, although currency effects remained negative. The results followed a period affected by weaker commodity conditions and financial pressure, placing emphasis on strengthening the company’s balance sheet and operational performance.
Shareholders approved a planned €500 million capital increase, designed to reinforce equity, with completion planned for the second half of 2026. Eramet’s future positioning depends on maintaining financial flexibility and managing its portfolio of assets, including Gabonese manganese operations, Indonesian nickel activities, mineral sands and lithium projects.
Imerys Advances French Lithium Development
Imerys represents another major European critical-materials development through its EMILI lithium project in France. The project is intended to become France’s first lithium mine and is designed to produce 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year, equivalent to supply for approximately 700,000 electric vehicles.
The French state, through Banque des Territoires, committed €50 million to support the project through definitive feasibility work. The contrasting developments show differences between European lithium projects, with financing, permitting conditions, commodity assumptions and technical confidence influencing project advancement.
AMG Expands Chrome and Lithium Materials Portfolio
AMG Critical Materials, listed in Amsterdam, continues to build its position in specialty metals processing and strategic materials. The company opened a $15 million chrome metal facility in Pennsylvania with planned annual production capacity of 6,500 tonnes, making AMG Chrome the sole US producer of chrome metal.
AMG also announced the strategic acquisition of Zinnwald Lithium, adding exposure to a European lithium resource containing lithium, potassium and tin. The company’s activities combine processing capabilities with upstream resource opportunities, covering materials including chrome metal, vanadium, lithium, molybdenum and specialty metals.
Umicore Expands Recycling and Refining Strategy
Umicore continues to develop its position as a European refining and recycling company focused on recovering and processing valuable metals. The company’s first-quarter 2026 update reported strong performance in catalysis and recycling. Management expects to make a final investment decision in the second half of 2026 regarding an expansion of its proprietary hydrometallurgical flowsheet in Precious Metals Refining.
The planned expansion would increase copper and nickel processing capacity, reduce platinum group metals throughput times and add production capacity for cobalt, antimony and tin. The project highlights the growing importance of refining technology, recovery systems and circular feedstock supply as European industries seek additional control over strategic materials.
Integrated Industrial Metals Assets Shape Euronext Market
The Euronext mining and materials landscape is increasingly defined by companies involved in processing, refining and industrial transformation. Eramet and Imerys provide exposure to French mining and lithium development activities, while AMG Critical Materials represents specialty metals processing and strategic resource expansion. Umicore provides exposure to refining and recycling infrastructure. Together, these companies illustrate the role of European listed markets in supporting mineral processing, battery materials, recycled metals and industrial supply chains.
