From Lithium to Cathode and Anode Materials... POSCO Secures Entire Battery Value Chain

Review of Additional Site for 20,000 Tons Lithium Production
12 Million Tons Brine Lithium Production by 2030, World's No.1

Lithium, Nickel, Graphite Battery Materials
Production and Supply of Precursors, Cathode and Anode Materials
Value Chain Establishment...Only Individual Company

Dohan, Head of POSCO America Corporation, explained POSCO Group's North American battery business on the 11th (local time).

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] POSCO Group is expanding its control over the entire battery supply chain, from raw material mining such as lithium and nickel to the production of key materials like cathode and anode active materials, in line with the explosive growth of the electric vehicle battery market.

On the 21st, POSCO Holdings announced that it aims for a global lithium production capacity of 300,000 tons per year by 2030, planning to produce 100,000 tons from Argentine brine lithium, 150,000 tons from ore, 30,000 tons from recycling, and an additional 20,000 tons from brine lithium, while reviewing site selection and other details.

In particular, brine lithium production, which is gaining attention for its ease of synthesis with nickel, is expected to reach a total production system of 120,000 tons by 2030, making POSCO the world’s number one producer. Kim Kwang-bok, head of POSCO Argentina, said at a press conference held on the 12th in Salta, Argentina, "An annual production of 100,000 tons of brine lithium is the largest scale in the world," adding, "Competitors like Livent produce about 67,000 tons, Allkem 50,000 tons, and Exar 45,000 tons. Establishing a 100,000-ton production system by 2030 will make us the global leader in brine lithium."

POSCO Group has built a value chain that produces and supplies everything from battery raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and graphite to precursors, cathode and anode active materials, and next-generation battery materials. POSCO is the only company to secure the entire battery supply chain process. Since starting lithium extraction technology development in 2010, the group has focused on ▲full-scale cathode and anode active material business ▲strengthening secondary battery raw material business through acquisition of lithium salt lakes in Argentina, investments in Australian lithium, nickel, and graphite mines in Tanzania ▲entry into secondary battery recycling business ▲and preparation of next-generation secondary battery material capabilities, thereby building the necessary value chain for secondary battery material supply. Do Han-ui, head of POSCO America, said, "All electric vehicle companies worldwide want to meet POSCO," adding, "The relationship between electric vehicle and battery material companies, which used to be a ‘gap-eul’ (dominant-subordinate) relationship, is evolving into an equal partnership as the importance of battery materials is highlighted."

Kim Kwang-bok, head of POSCO Argentina Corporation, is speaking at a press conference held on the 12th in Salta Province, Argentina.

POSCO Chemical, the representative battery material company of POSCO Group, has already boarded the growth trend of the North American electric vehicle market. In May this year, it established a cathode active material joint venture with General Motors (GM) in the United States and set up the cathode joint venture Ultium CAM in Quebec, Canada. Through this, it plans to further strengthen cooperation with GM and solidify its position as a key supplier of electric vehicle battery materials in the North American market.

Leveraging the competitiveness of the Quebec cathode plant, POSCO Chemical plans to build a core battery material supply chain in North America, where the electric vehicle market is rapidly growing, and accelerate its global market expansion. Through Ultium Cells, POSCO Chemical will supply high-nickel cathode active materials to many upcoming electric vehicles, including GM’s Hummer EV, Lyriq, Silverado EV, and BrightDrop’s EV600 delivery electric van.

POSCO Chemical is evaluated to have expanded its global supply chain and laid the foundation for strengthening market leadership through the establishment of this North American joint venture plant. It plans to establish cathode production bases in Korea, North America, China, and Europe, increasing its annual cathode production capacity from 105,000 tons in 2022 to 340,000 tons in 2025 and 610,000 tons by 2030.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.