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POSCO becomes 1st Korean firm to earn certification for advanced warship materials
A rendered image of next-generation naval vessels built with POSCO's advanced structural materials / Courtesy of POSCO
By Park Jae-hyuk
POSCO has set a new milestone in Korea’s defense industry with the development of advanced structural materials for naval vessels.
The company said Thursday it successfully developed the nation’s first high-ductility hull structural steel and ballistic-resistant steel for naval use, both of which received classification certification in January from the Korean Register, a domestic ship classification society.
Classification societies are organizations that evaluate and certify the safety and quality of materials, design and manufacturing processes used in ships and offshore structures. These institutions set standards and regulations that all such materials must meet.
According to the steelmaker, the certification followed a comprehensive process that included material development, weldability verification and evaluation of protective performance for warships.
High-ductility steel refers to steel with greater elongation and toughness than conventional grades, allowing it to stretch or deform under impact without fracturing.
POSCO’s newly developed material improves elongation by more than 35 percent compared with existing shipbuilding plates. In simulated collision tests, its energy absorption rate increased by about 58 percent.
This improvement minimizes structural damage in collisions with other vessels or floating objects, significantly boosting the survivability of naval ships.
To further enhance the safety, agility and operational efficiency of warships, POSCO also developed ballistic-resistant steel that is about 30 percent thinner than conventional plates.
The new material can be applied to key upper structures such as bridges, radar systems and advanced weapon zones, providing strong protection against external threats. The weight reduction also improves resistance to rolling and enhances ship stability and recovery performance.
POSCO showcased the new technology last May at the 2025 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition, drawing strong interest from defense industry insiders at home and abroad.
“The new materials are the result of several years of joint research led by POSLAB and completed through a ‘one team’ collaboration among our production, quality and marketing divisions,” a POSCO official said.
“We expect this achievement to significantly enhance the performance of next-generation Republic of Korea Navy vessels and strengthen the competitiveness of Korean shipbuilders.”
The company added that its technologies could contribute to expanding the global presence of Korea’s defense industry, as they could be applied to ships for navies in South America and Southeast Asia, as well as to maintenance, repair, overhaul and construction projects for the U.S. Navy.
“In his New Year’s address, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa urged employees to strengthen the company’s market leadership and optimize its revenue model by building a portfolio of products essential to future industries,” the official said.
“The latest material developments align with that strategic direction.”