POSCO FUTURE M

- Announces new cathode and anode material technology roadmap and POSCO Group’s supply chain achievements

- Presents cathode and anode material technologies as solutions to the chasm, enhancing EV driving range, charging speed, and cost-effectiveness

- Introduces next-generation materials such as solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes, along with process technologies including Direct Lithium Extraction

POSCO Future M features its new cathode and anode material technologies and products at InterBattery 2025, held at COEX Seoul from the 5th to the 7th.

POSCO Future M will showcase its cathode and anode material technology roadmap and the group-level supply chain achievements spanning raw materials, materials, and recycling to address the temporary demand stagnation known as the “chasm” by enabling electric vehicles that travel farther, charge faster, and cost less.

First, for electric vehicles that travel farther, the company is introducing Ultra Hi-Ni (Ultra High Nickel) single-crystal cathode materials that maximize energy density by increasing nickel content to over 95%. This material, designed for premium electric vehicles requiring extended driving range, is scheduled for mass production technology development by 2026. Additionally, silicon-carbon anode materials (Si-C), which can increase storage capacity approximately 5 times compared to graphite-based anodes, have been operating in a demonstration plant since May last year, with mass production planned for 2027.

The company is also introducing low-expansion natural graphite anode materials to enable faster charging and enhance convenience for electric vehicle users. This proprietary product, which POSCO Future M has developed and is supplying to global automakers, improves lithium-ion mobility and reduces volume expansion by modifying the material structure from flake-type to isotropic. Through continuous R&D for performance enhancement, the company plans to mass-produce products that can reduce charging time by 30% compared to existing products beginning in 2027.

For more affordable materials to reduce electric vehicle prices and drive popularization, the company is introducing LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) as well as LMR (Lithium Manganese Rich), LMFP (Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate), and high-voltage mid-nickel single-crystal cathode materials. In particular, LMR cathode materials reduce the proportion of nickel and cobalt while increasing manganese to enhance price competitiveness and performance. When recycling is factored in, its price is similar to LFP but with up to 30% higher energy density, and mass production technology is scheduled for development this year. For mid-priced electric vehicles, the company is also showcasing high-voltage mid-nickel (Mid-Ni) single-crystal cathode materials, which maintain high energy density despite reducing nickel content to about 60% by applying high voltage, suitable for standard-class electric vehicles.

At this exhibition, POSCO Future M will also introduce next-generation materials being developed at POSCO Holdings’ POSCO N.EX.T Hub, including solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes that will be game-changers for the future battery industry. Additionally, the company will share achievements and current status of value chain development, including POSCO Holdings’ Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) method, new nickel wet refining process technologies, and dry recycling technology (POS-Pyrocycle) that reduces waste generation and carbon emissions.

The POSCO Group has been expanding investments in lithium salt lakes in Argentina, lithium mines in Australia, nickel smelting operations in Indonesia, and graphite mines in Africa. Going forward, the group will strengthen business competitiveness by proactively securing premium resources, turning the chasm crisis into an opportunity to enhance competitiveness.

POSCO International will also present strategies for establishing supply chains for drive motor cores, a key component for electric vehicles, and graphite. The company is expanding its eco-friendly vehicle parts business to establish a global annual production system of 7.5 million units and achieve a 10% market share by 2030. To this end, it operates production clusters domestically and internationally, and plans to complete a factory in Brzeg, Poland this year. POSCO International has signed a 25-year long-term natural graphite supply contract with FARU Graphite in Tanzania, a subsidiary of Australian mining company Black Rock Mining, in May 2023 and September 2024. POSCO will introduce steel products for electric vehicles, including battery pack and cylindrical battery-can materials.

Meanwhile, POSCO Future M has prepared an exhibition space of 451 ㎡, 25% larger than last year, under this year’s exhibition theme “Move on, Change the Future.” The exhibition space is designed to help visitors understand the company’s technology and business more enjoyably. The exhibition hall displays samples of cathode and anode materials, lithium, nickel, and products made with the company’s battery materials, including electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and power tools. The exhibition’s immersive experience is enhanced through a large vertical media wall and panoramic display featuring virtual 3D imagery.

POSCO Future M is hosting various events for visitors during the exhibition period. Visitors can experience generating electricity by pedaling a bicycle generator installed at the booth. The electricity generated is converted and accumulated for donation to the POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation. Additionally, through a drawing, prizes including electric bicycles, kickboards, power tool sets, and drones will be given to a total of 12 people, 4 people each day for 3 days.