"Everything Powered by Batteries"... POSCO Future M Unveils 'BoT Strategy'

Showcasing Next-Generation Materials at InterBattery:
Solid-State, Ultra High-Nickel, and Silicon Anode Technologies

From March 11 to 13, POSCO Future M is showcasing next-generation cathode and anode material technologies that will drive the future 'Battery of Things (BoT)' era at 'InterBattery 2026,' held at COEX, Seoul.

Exhibition view of the POSCO Future M booth at InterBattery held at COEX Seoul. Provided by POSCO Future M

POSCO Future M is participating in this exhibition under the theme 'Together, Drawing BoT Future.' The company aims to present material technologies and supply chain strategies to realize a future where everything—including autonomous electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems (ESS), and humanoid robots—is powered by batteries.

The exhibition space covers approximately 451 square meters and consists of five themed zones: Autonomous EV, Data Center ESS, Advanced Solutions, Open Innovation, and Sustainable Supply Chain. Each zone introduces battery material technologies applicable across various industries and highlights POSCO Group's achievements in supply chain development.

Autonomous EV Zone: Materials for Future Mobility, Including Ultra High-Nickel Cathodes

In the Autonomous EV Zone, battery material technologies essential for long-range driving and real-time data processing in autonomous EVs are featured. A key highlight is the 'Ultra High-Ni Cathode,' which contains more than 95% nickel.

The Ultra High-Nickel Cathode is recognized as an optimal material for autonomous EVs that require high energy storage capacity to power various devices such as cameras and radars, as well as for high-performance computing. It is also considered an ideal material for humanoid robots that must operate for long periods in limited spaces, making it highly promising for future industries.

Additionally, POSCO International's drive motor cores and rare earth permanent magnets for EVs, as well as POSCO's battery packs and cans for prismatic and cylindrical battery cell manufacturing, are showcased, presenting POSCO Group's steel materials and solutions for electric vehicles.

Data Center ESS Zone: LFP Materials to Meet Power Demand in the AI Era

The Data Center ESS Zone introduces battery materials for ESS that respond to the rapidly increasing power demand of data centers due to the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of renewable energy.

POSCO Future M is presenting lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials for ESS and high-capacity, long-life artificial graphite anode materials. LFP cathodes are gaining popularity in the ESS market due to their competitive pricing and long lifespan, resulting in rapidly growing demand.

This year, POSCO Future M plans to convert part of its high-nickel cathode production line to LFP cathode production, beginning mass production within the year. The company also intends to break ground on a dedicated LFP cathode plant with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 tons.

Other POSCO steel products, such as shielding steel to protect buried transmission cables and block electromagnetic waves in ESS facilities, and high corrosion-resistant steel (PosMAC) suitable for offshore wind power plants, are also on display.

Advanced Solutions Zone: Battery Materials for Future Industries, Including Robots and Drones

The Advanced Solutions Zone features battery material technologies for future industries such as drones and humanoid robots.

In particular, silicon anode material (Si-C) is attracting attention as it can achieve about five times the energy storage capacity compared to conventional graphite anodes, making it advantageous for fast-charging and high-performance batteries.

Last year, POSCO Future M began operating a silicon anode demo plant and is targeting mass production by 2027.

In addition, a quadruped walking robot developed by POSCO Group to replace high-risk work at steel plants is on display, demonstrating real-world battery applications in industrial settings.

Open Innovation Zone: Joint Development of Next-Generation Batteries with Global Companies

The Open Innovation Zone highlights ongoing research and development collaborations with leading global innovation companies.

POSCO Future M is working with US solid-state battery company Factorial to develop cathode materials for solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries, with high energy density and fast-charging performance, are regarded as 'game changers' for not only electric vehicles but also a variety of mobility industries including drones and robots.

The company is also collaborating with US-based Sila to develop deposition-type silicon anode manufacturing technology. Research and development on core solid-state battery materials, such as solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes, is also featured.

Sustainable Supply Chain Zone: From Lithium to Recycling, a Global Supply Network

The Sustainable Supply Chain Zone showcases POSCO Group's battery material supply chain strategies.

POSCO Group has established an end-to-end supply chain for the battery industry, spanning from securing lithium brine and mines to producing cathode and anode materials and battery recycling.

In particular, the company is securing key raw materials through global resource investments such as lithium brine in Argentina, lithium mines in Australia, and graphite mines in Africa. The Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, which allows for economical lithium extraction even from low-concentration brine, is also being introduced.

Based on the group's lithium supply chain, POSCO Future M is securing raw materials for cathode production and is working to strengthen supply chain competitiveness, including building a domestic spherical graphite plant.

Meanwhile, during the InterBattery event, POSCO Future M and Factorial are scheduled to deliver a joint keynote speech on March 12. Youngjun Hong, Head of R&D at POSCO Future M, and Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial, will present both companies' battery material research and development strategies.

Throughout the exhibition, POSCO Future M's booth will feature interactive events to help visitors easily understand battery materials. Visitors can experience battery components by playing a game that uses balls shaped like lithium, precursors, graphite, and other battery materials to complete a battery.

Additionally, points earned by participating in the event will be converted into a social contribution fund and donated through the POSCO 1% Sharing Foundation.

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