Successful Localization of Synthetic Graphite Anode Materials
Phase 1 Completion of 8,000t Scale at Pohang Blue Valley Industrial Complex
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] POSCO Chemical is establishing the first domestic production system for artificial graphite anode materials and is entering full-scale production.
On the 2nd, POSCO Chemical held a completion ceremony for its artificial graphite anode material production plant at the Blue Valley Industrial Complex in Donghae-myeon, Pohang City, designated as a battery regulatory free zone. The event was attended by key executives related to POSCO Group's materials business, including POSCO Chemical President Min Kyung-jun, POSCO New Growth Division Head Jung Chang-hwa, and RIST Director Yoo Sung, as well as Pohang Mayor Lee Kang-deok and National Assembly member Kim Byung-wook (Pohang Nam-gu·Ulleung-gun).
The artificial graphite anode material plant is a facility built by POSCO Chemical with a total investment of 230.7 billion KRW to localize materials. It is being established with an annual production capacity of 16,000 tons, aiming for comprehensive completion in 2023. With the completion of the first phase, POSCO Chemical will initially produce 8,000 tons of artificial graphite anode materials annually. This amount can supply approximately 210,000 electric vehicles based on 60kWh batteries.
Artificial graphite anode materials have the advantage of extending electric vehicle battery life and shortening charging time. As of 2020, they accounted for 76% of the global anode material market. However, since there were no domestic producers, all were imported from countries such as Japan and China.
With the completion of this artificial graphite anode material plant, POSCO Chemical has succeeded in localizing all key secondary battery materials domestically, including cathode materials and both natural graphite and artificial graphite anode materials. Additionally, the raw material for artificial graphite, needle coke, is produced in-house through its subsidiary PMC Tech, internalizing the entire value chain from raw materials to final material production. This localization of materials contributes to stabilizing the supply of secondary battery materials and supports the growth of the K-battery industry.
Prior to the completion of the Pohang artificial graphite anode material plant, POSCO Chemical acquired a 15% stake in SINUO, a Chinese artificial graphite anode material company, last November, securing production capacity and supply networks within China. The two companies plan to create technological synergies and diversify export markets for artificial graphite anode materials by leveraging SINUO’s network, thereby expanding their global market share.
Alongside this, POSCO Chemical has continued efforts to secure anode material raw materials. In September, it invested in Qingdao Zhongse, China, to secure spherical graphite, a high-quality natural graphite anode material raw material. The pitch used for anode material coating is produced through the joint venture P&OChemical with OCI. POSCO also acquired a 15% stake in a graphite mine in Tanzania.
In his commemorative speech, President Min Kyung-jun stated, "We have achieved complete localization from raw materials to final product production of artificial graphite anode materials, which had no domestic production." He added, "Going forward, we will establish world-class business competitiveness through focused investments in next-generation material development linked with POSCO Group’s R&D infrastructure, process technology, and mass production capabilities."
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