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Battery Materials
POSCO FUTURE M drives the transition to green energy with world-class products and technologies.
Battery Materials
Rechargeable batteries function when lithium (Li) ions move between the cathode(+) and the anode(-). Because they can be recharged and used repeatedly, rechargeable batteries are embedded in mobility (EVs), IT devices and various home appliances.
A rechargeable battery consists of four components: cathode, anode, electrolyte and separator. Among the four, POSCO FUTURE M supplies to the world the most essential components, cathode and anode active materials.
We are unique in Korea as a supplier of both cathode and anode active materials. Building on our R&D expertise, we will ramp up capacity, complete a raw material value chain and develop next-generation materials. Our ultimate goal is to be a top-tier supplier in the global market.
Charging an electric car
Cathode Active Materials
Made of cathode active materials (CAM), the cathode determines the capacity and average voltage of a rechargeable battery. In lithium ion batteries, CAM is where lithium is stored to serve as an energy source.
Our main product is high-nickel NCM*, a common type of CAM found in EV batteries. By adding aluminum to the mix, we have developed NCMA to offer enhanced thermal stability. *nickel, cobalt and manganese
In response to the growing EV market, we plan to expand CAM production capacity.
Our main product is high-nickel NCM*, a common type of CAM found in EV batteries. By adding aluminum to the mix, we have developed NCMA to offer enhanced thermal stability. *nickel, cobalt and manganese
In response to the growing EV market, we plan to expand CAM production capacity.
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High-nickel cathodes
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Cathodes Production Lines
| Product category | Characteristics | Applications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathode Active Materials | NCM-6x |
- High-nickel cathode material comprised of nickel (60%), cobalt and manganese - Characterized by high capacity, high stability and minimum gas evolution reaction during charge and discharge |
electric cars (EV) |
| NCM-8x |
- High-nickel cathode material comprised of nickel (80%), cobalt and manganese - Characterized by high capacity, high thermal stability and low internal resistance |
mobile devices, e.g., smartphones, tablet pcs, laptops electric machines (power tool) |
|
| NCMA |
- High-nickel cathode material comprised of nickel (80%), cobalt, manganese and aluminum - Characterized by high capacity, low internal resistance and higher thermal stability |
electric cars electric machines (power tool) |
|
| NCA |
- High-nickel cathode material comprised of nickel (80%), cobalt, aluminum - Characterized by high capacity, low internal resistance and higher thermal stability |
electric cars electric machines (power tool) |
|
Precursors
Precursor refers to an intermediary material which produces cathode active materials (CAM) when combined with lithium. Composed of multiple metals, e.g. nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), precursors determine the parameters of CAM.
Given the impact of precursor composition to CAM price and parameters, we are conducting studies to identify the optimal mix. In addition, POSCO FUTURE M will continue to increase in-house production of precursors to ensure reliable supply of battery materials
Given the impact of precursor composition to CAM price and parameters, we are conducting studies to identify the optimal mix. In addition, POSCO FUTURE M will continue to increase in-house production of precursors to ensure reliable supply of battery materials
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Precursors
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Precursor Production Lines
Cathode Material / Precursors Plants
Gwangyang Cathode Material Plant
- Annual capacity : 90K tons
- (An additional 52.5K tons/year plant to be completed by 2025)
- Location : Yulchon Industrial Complex, Gwangyang
Pohang Cathode Material Plant
- Annual capacity : 60k tons
(phased expansion to 106K tons/year by 2025) - Location : Yeongilman Industrial Complex, Pohang
Tongxiang, China (ZPHE/ZHPE)
- Annual capacity : 25K tons of cathode
35K tons of precursor - Location : Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province, China
Quebec, Canada (Ultium CAM)
- Annual capacity : cathode(phased expansion to 30K tons/year and to 63K tons/year)
precursor(phased expansion to 45K tons/year) - Location : Bécancour, Quebec, Canada
Anode Active Materials
In a rechargeable battery, lithium ions are stored in the anode. When released from the anode, lithium ions cause electricity to flow through external circuits. The anode determines the charging speed and lifecycle of a battery.
Our anode active material (AAM) offering includes natural graphite and low-expansion types. To add next-generation products to the portfolio, we are developing artificial graphite, silicon and lithium metal-type AAM.
Even after repeated charging and discharging, our high-performance AAM sustains form and stability.
Our anode active material (AAM) offering includes natural graphite and low-expansion types. To add next-generation products to the portfolio, we are developing artificial graphite, silicon and lithium metal-type AAM.
Even after repeated charging and discharging, our high-performance AAM sustains form and stability.
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Natural graphite Anodes
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Anodes Production Lines
| Product category | Characteristics | Applications | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anode Active Materials | Natural graphite anode materials |
- Made from natural graphite - Characterized by high conductivity, high energy density and longevity |
electric cars mobile devices, e.g., smartphones, tablet pcs, laptops electric machines (power tool) energy storage systems (ESS) |
| Artificial graphite anode materials |
- Made from coke - Characterized by high energy density and longevity owing to the application of particle shape control and surface treatment techniques. |
electric cars | |
Anode Material Plants
(Natural graphite) Sejong Anode Material Plant No. 1
- Annual capacity : 26K tons (natural graphite)
- Location : Jeon-ui Regular Industrial Complex, Sejong
(Natural graphite)Sejong Anode Material Plant No.2
- Annual capacity : 48K tons (natural graphite)
- Location : High-Tech Industrial Complex, Sejong
Pohang (Artificial) Anode Material Plant
- Annual capacity : 8K tons (13K tons to be added)
- Location : Blue Valley National Industrial Complex, Pohang
POSCO Future M's Technology Development
In interbattery 2025, held at COEX Seoul in March 2025. POSCO Future M showcased its cathode and anode material technology roadmap and the group-level supply chain achievements spanning raw materials, materials, and recycling to address the temporary demand stagnation known as the “chasm” by enabling electric vehicles that travel farther, charge faster, and cost less.
| Category | Product | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathode Materials | Low Cost | Manganese Rich (LMR) |
- Reduces proportion of nickel and cobalt while increasing manganese to enhance price competitiveness and stability - When recycling is considered, price is similar to LFP but enables up to 30% higher energy density |
| Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) | - Adds manganese to LFP to maintain similar price level to LFP but with 15-20% higher energy density | ||
| Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) | - Uses lithium iron phosphate raw materials to offer high price competitiveness and stability, leading to recent increase in usage (for entry-level EVs/ESS applications) | ||
| Standard | High Voltage Mid-Nickel Single Crystal | - Despite lower nickel content (around 60%), maximizes energy density by increasing voltage (enabling longer driving range) | |
| Premium | Ultra High Nickel Single Crystal | - Premium product with over 95% nickel content in single-crystal form that maximizes electric vehicle driving range while enhancing stability | |
| Anode Materials | Natural Graphite | Fast-Charging Low-Expansion | - Improves performance of proprietary low-expansion natural graphite anode materials to reduce charging time by 30% compared to existing products |
| Artificial Graphite | High-Density Artificial Graphite | - Adds waste powder to anode materials to create denser particle structure, increasing capacity and reducing charging time by 15% compared to existing products | |
| Silicon | Silicon-Carbon Composite (Si-C) | - Offers approximately 5 times higher storage capacity than graphite-based anode materials, enabling extended electric vehicle driving range and fast charging | |