POSCO Future speeds up nickel-cobalt-aluminium cathode production to meet rising EV demand

South Korea based POSCO Future M Co. has announced the production of nickel, cobalt, and aluminium (NCA) cathode materials at its Pohang factory, which is three months ahead of schedule. On October 12, the company successfully manufactured high-nickel materials with a nickel content of 88 per cent, which enhances energy density and output, making them well-suited for high-performance electric vehicle batteries.

POSCO Future M is expanding its product portfolio by introducing NCA materials in addition to its existing lines of nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM), and nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium (NCMA) materials. This diversification is aimed at meeting the growing demands of its customers. Single-crystal cathodes enhance battery stability and lifespan by integrating raw materials into a unified particle structure. POSCO Future M aims to achieve a total NCA production capacity of 248,500 tonnes by 2026.

Building on its success as Korea's first company to mass-produce nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminium (NCMA) single-crystal cathode materials last March, POSCO Future M now aims to develop mass production and supply systems for NCA (nickel, cobalt, aluminium) single-crystal cathode materials as well.

"We plan to expand production of single-crystal cathode materials, which are in high demand due to the growth of high-performance electric vehicles," said the company sources.

The Pohang facility marks POSCO Future M's first dedicated NCA cathode production plant, boasting an annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes. Since securing a 40 trillion won supply agreement with Samsung SDI in January last year, POSCO Future M has been producing NCA materials at its Gwangyang plant. The upcoming NCA plant in Gwangyang, with a capacity of 52,500 tonnes, will be completed next year, raising the company's total NCA production capacity to 82,500 tonnes.