[2021 Green Mobility Award] The 'Only' Integrated Supply System for Secondary Battery Materials and Raw Materials

Mobility Innovation Award (Minister of Environment Award) POSCO

PBC-EV, an electric vehicle body developed using POSCO's 'Giga Steel'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] POSCO has been recognized for expanding its key materials and raw materials business for secondary batteries while continuously developing steel products that can be effectively used in environmentally friendly mobility, receiving the Innovation Award (Minister of Environment Award). The group is praised for having an organically cooperative system among its affiliates and for leading the eco-friendly mobility trend by improving efficiency in its core steel product areas.

POSCO's competitiveness comes from having an integrated supply system for cathode and anode materials used in making secondary batteries, as well as key raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and graphite. POSCO is the only company worldwide to have established such a value chain for secondary battery materials and raw materials. The company has set a goal to supply 220,000 tons of lithium and 100,000 tons of nickel by 2030, establishing a production system of 400,000 tons of cathode materials and 260,000 tons of anode materials to achieve a 20% global market share.

For cathode materials, driving range of electric vehicles is affected, while anode materials influence battery life and charging time. POSCO Chemical is developing high-nickel-content cathode materials that increase energy density to enable a driving range of 600 km on a single charge while lowering costs to ensure economic feasibility. Additionally, the company is working on next-generation products such as artificial graphite anode materials with high structural stability and low expansion for ‘10-minute rapid charging.’

POSCO independently developed and commercialized the world’s first high-corrosion-resistant, high-conductivity stainless steel (Poss470FC) used as a metal separator material, a key component of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This project began in 2006, and in 2010, POSCO developed the parts together with Hyundai Motor Company; since 2018, the material has been used in the hydrogen vehicle Nexo. By reducing costs and simplifying manufacturing processes, it is expected to contribute to the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the future.