POSCO Future M signals push into next-generation EV battery market

POSCO Future M's silicon anode material pilot plant in Pohang / Courtesy of POSCO Future M

POSCO Future M said Wednesday it has secured mass production technology for silicon anode materials, a next-generation battery component seen as critical to extending electric vehicle driving range and cutting charging times.

The company said the breakthrough positions it to move aggressively into the premium EV market, where automakers are increasingly demanding higher energy density and faster charging performance.

Silicon anode materials can store more than four times the energy of conventional graphite-based anodes, making them one of the industry’s most closely watched battery technologies.

POSCO Future M said its newly developed material maintained more than 80 percent of its original capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles, even when silicon content exceeded 20 percent in testing.

That marks a significant improvement over existing batteries, where silicon mixing ratios have largely remained in the single digits because of stability concerns.

For years, silicon anodes have faced a major obstacle to commercialization because the material expands during charging and discharging, causing structural damage and shorter battery life.

POSCO Future M said it addressed the issue through proprietary silicon nanoprocessing and carbon composite technologies that sharply reduced volume expansion.

“Silicon anode materials will become a key next-generation material that determines battery performance,” said Hong Young-jun, head of the company’s technology research laboratory.

“We will continue strengthening our global competitiveness while providing customers with the best solutions based on our accumulated materials technology and manufacturing experience,” he said.

The company said it completed product testing and quality verification with major domestic and overseas customers and plans to begin mass production and supply in 2028, depending on market conditions and demand.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.