Tired of ads? Enjoy an ad-free experience by signing up.
👩‍🍳 How we use AI at Tech in Asia, thoughtfully and responsibly.
🧔‍♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here

Posco Future M targets EV battery upgrade with silicon

Posco Future M had secured mass production technology for silicon anode materials, a battery component that could extend EV range and cut charging times.

The company said its material kept more than 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charge and discharge cycles in tests with silicon content above 20%.

Silicon anodes can store more than four times the energy of graphite but have been hard to commercialize because they expand during use and can damage batteries.

Posco Future M said it used silicon nanoprocessing and carbon composite technology to reduce that expansion.

The company plans to begin mass production and supply in 2028 depending on demand.

🔗 Source: The Korea Times

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

This silicon advance fits into a broader anode plan

  • Posco Future M is already growing its standard anode business to meet nearer-term battery demand, even with silicon anode production planned for 2028 1.
  • The company is spending 357 billion won (US$236 million) on an artificial graphite anode plant in Vietnam. Commercial output is due in 2028, with capacity of up to 55,000 metric tons a year and room to expand as orders rise 2.
  • Support comes from signed business, including a 1 trillion won (US$660 million) contract to supply anode materials to a global automaker from 2027 through 2032 1.
  • That larger base in current materials gives POSCO Future M the scale and customer ties to roll out silicon anodes later 1.

Supply chain control strengthens Posco Future M’s pitch to customers

  • Posco Future M says Posco Group has built supply chain reach across raw materials, battery materials, and recycling. It also cites resource bets such as graphite mines in Africa 3.
  • That approach fits Western rules such as the US Inflation Reduction Act, a US law that encourages domestic and allied-country clean energy manufacturing. One example is its North American joint venture with GM, the US automaker General Motors 4.
  • As Korea’s only producer of graphite-based anode materials, POSCO Future M stands as a domestic supply hub. It also sells cathode and anode active materials used in batteries 1.
  • Progress on silicon and tighter control of sourcing make the company a stronger supplier for automakers shifting to EVs 2.

Stay ahead in Asia’s tech landscape

You've reached your 2 free content limit for the month. Sign up for free to read the full story.

🏄 For casual readers / 👶 Free

Basic

US$0

Free forever

Get instant access to this article and more every month

0 premium content

Unlimited news briefs

5

5 articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0 per day

⌛Sign up in 20s. No payment details needed.

📖 For learners / 👍 Starter

Lite

US$4.92/month

Billed annually at US$59/year

Get instant access to this article and more every month

4

4 premium content

Unlimited news briefs & articles

Ad-free reading experience

Just US$0.17 per day

Cancel anytime

Our subscriber community includes professionals from these companies:

Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.

Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.