The market for electric vehicle batteries (secondary cell) is growing at a fast speed. To increase the supply of cathode material, one of key materials for eletric vehicle batteries, we are implementing phase 3 construction and phase 4 extension projects for POSCO FUTURE M’s Gwangyang Cathode Plant with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons. 

When the construction works are completed, the plant’s annual production capacity will increase from 40,000 tons to 100,000 tons. This is equivalent to an amount for supply to approximately one million electric vehicles. 

We applied the state-of-the-art smart factory technologies by focusing competencies of POSCO’s manufacturing, construction, and ICT affiliates on the Gwangyang Plant. Raw materials, precursors, semi-finished products, and finished products are automatically transported in real-time. In addition, through installation of an automated warehouse, the plant’s productivity and quality management levels have been improved. 

Following completion of a cathode plant with an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons in Gumi-si of Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2018, POSCO FUTURE M completed the stage 1 and stage 2 construction works for the cathode plant in Yulchon Industrial Complex of Gwangyang. Plants with a production capacity of 5,000 tons and 25,000 tons were completed in 2019 and 2020, respectively. 

POSCO FUTURE M is promoting to establish a global production system with an annual production capacity of 270,000 tons, such as 160,000 tons in Korea and 110,000 tons in China, the U.S. and Europe, etc. by 2025. By 2030, it plans to expand the production capacity to 400,000 tons a year, the largest in the world. POSCO E&C, a construction and engineering affiliate of POSCO Group, will establish the top-quality mass-production system in Korea and abroad so as to help POSCO FUTURE M advance into a global power in secondary sell materials industry.