POSCO Future M : Commences Mass Production of Single-Crystal Cathode Materials at Pohang Plant as well

POSCO Future M Commences Mass Production of Single-Crystal Cathode Materials at Pohang Plant as well

2023.12.06

• (Photo Description) Employees at POSCO Future M's Pohang Cathode Material Plant are commemorating the inaugural shipment of high-nickel NCMA single-crystal cathode materials to Ultium Cells in the U.S. on November 27.

- Early delivery of high-nickel NCMA single-crystal cathode materials to Ultium Cells in the U.S., two months ahead of schedule
- Both Gwangyang and Pohang plants now mass-producing high-nickel single-crystal cathode materials, ensuring a stable supply of high-value products

Following its success in Gwangyang, POSCO Future M has commenced the full-scale supply of high-performance single-crystal cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries from its Pohang plant.

The product manufactured at the Pohang plant is a high-nickel NCMA single-crystal cathode material with a nickel composition of 86%. It is supplied to Ultium Cells, a U.S. battery joint venture between General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution. POSCO Future M, leveraging its high-temperature sintering and uniform coating technology, first mass-produced this material in March at its Gwangyang plant, becoming a global pioneer in this field. To meet the soaring demand, the company advanced the production timeline at the Pohang plant from January 2024 to early November, commencing line operations approximately two months earlier.

The NCMA single-crystal cathode material combines key elements - Nickel (N), Cobalt (C), Manganese (M), and Aluminum (A) - in a single-crystal form. This innovative product enhances energy density, extends driving range, and improves thermal stability and longevity, responding swiftly to the growing demand in line with the trend toward high-performance electric vehicles.

POSCO Future M plans to continuously expand the single-crystal lines at its domestic and international cathode material production bases, aiming not only to extend the driving range of electric vehicles but also to maximize safety and lifespan performance. The company also intends to mass-produce single-crystal cathode materials of various particle sizes.

Consequently, the production capacity of the Pohang cathode material plant is expected to increase from the current 30,000 tons to 106,000 tons by 2026. Alongside the Gwangyang plant, it is poised to become a key hub in the global battery material market.

• (Photo Description) Employees at POSCO Future M's Pohang Cathode Material Plant are commemorating the inaugural shipment of high-nickel NCMA single-crystal cathode materials to Ultium Cells in the U.S. on November 27.

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• Press Release