POSCO showcases new cathode and anode technologies
POSCO Future M is featuring its new cathode and anode material technologies and products at InterBattery 2025, held at COEX Seoul May 5-7.
POSCO Future M will showcase 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.
First, for electric vehicles that travel farther, the company is introducing Ultra Hi-Ni (Ultra High Nickel) single-crystal cathode materials that maximise energy density by increasing nickel content to over 95%.
This material, designed for premium electric vehicles requiring extended driving range, is scheduled for mass production technology development by 2026.
Additionally, silicon-carbon anode materials, which can increase storage capacity about five times compared to graphite-based anodes, have been operating in a demonstration plant since May last year, with mass production planned for 2027.
The company is also introducing low-expansion natural graphite anode materials to enable faster charging and enhance convenience for electric vehicle users.
This proprietary product, which POSCO Future M has developed and is supplying to global automakers, improves lithium-ion mobility and reduces volume expansion by modifying the material structure from flake-type to isotropic.
Through continuous R&D for performance enhancement, the company plans to mass-produce products that can reduce charging time by 30% compared to existing products beginning in 2027.
For more affordable materials to reduce electric vehicle prices and drive popularisation, the company is introducing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) as well as Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR), Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (LMFP) and high-voltage mid-nickel single-crystal cathode materials.
LMR cathode materials reduce the proportion of nickel and cobalt while increasing manganese to enhance price competitiveness and performance. When recycling is factored in, its price is similar to LFP but with up to 30% higher energy density. Mass production technology is scheduled for development this year.
For mid-priced electric vehicles, the company is showcasing high-voltage mid-nickel single-crystal cathode materials, which maintain high energy density despite reducing nickel content to about 60% by applying high voltage, suitable for standard-class electric vehicles.
POSCO Future M will also introduce next-generation materials being developed at POSCO Holdings’ POSCO N.EX.T Hub, including solid electrolytes and lithium metal anodes that the company says will be game-changers for the future battery industry.
Additionally, the company will share achievements and current status of value chain development, including POSCO Holdings’ Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) method, new nickel wet refining process technologies and dry recycling technology (POS-Pyrocycle) that reduces waste generation and carbon emissions.
The POSCO Group has been expanding investments in lithium salt lakes in Argentina, lithium mines in Australia, nickel smelting operations in Indonesia, and graphite mines in Africa.
POSCO International has signed a 25-year long-term natural graphite supply contract with FARU Graphite in Tanzania, a subsidiary of Australian mining company Black Rock Mining, in May 2023 and September 2024. POSCO will introduce steel products for electric vehicles, including battery pack and cylindrical battery-can materials.