POSCO Philbar Lithium Solution, Integrated Production Facility
Annual Output of 43,000 Tons... Equivalent to 1 Million Electric Vehicles
Transitioning from Lithium Importer to Producer for EV Batteries
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok are celebrating with guests at the completion ceremony of POSCO Philbar Lithium Solution's integrated production facility held on the 29th at Gwangyang Yulchon 1 Industrial Complex. Provided by Jeonnam Province
On the 29th, Jeonnam Province announced the completion of POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution's integrated production facility for lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries at the Gwangyang Yulchon 1 Industrial Complex.
About 200 people attended the completion ceremony, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok, National Assembly member Kwon Hyang-yeop, Australian Ambassador to Korea Jeff Robinson, Gwangyang Mayor Jung In-hwa, and POSCO Group Chairman Jang In-hwa.
POSCO is the only domestic company that directly produces lithium hydroxide for EV batteries by securing overseas resources. In particular, lithium for batteries heavily depends on imports from China. Lithium production in Jeonnam plays a crucial role in stabilizing the domestic core mineral supply chain essential for secondary battery production.
The newly completed facility imports spodumene, a lithium-containing ore mined in Australia, through Gwangyang Port and produces 43,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually, enough for about 1 million electric vehicles.
The first plant, with a production capacity of 21,500 tons completed last November, applied POSCO's proprietary eco-friendly technology. The second plant, also with a capacity of 21,500 tons and completed this time, was built using globally widely adopted technology.
Governor Kim Young-rok emphasized the significance in his congratulatory speech, stating, "This completion marks an important moment as Korea transitions from a lithium-importing country to a battery-grade lithium producing country." He added, "Jeonnam Province will continue to strongly support POSCO's development, such as resolving regulations in the Dongho area and designating opportunity development zones. We hope you invest with confidence."
Meanwhile, Governor Kim stressed to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo the necessity of securing a stable supply chain for key raw materials of secondary batteries and requested the designation of the Gwangyang Bay area as a specialized national advanced strategic industrial complex for secondary batteries and a future advanced materials industrial complex.
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