POSCO Future M (003670) will establish a synthetic graphite anode material plant in Vietnam to expand its global order book.
The company announced on the 5th that its board of directors approved construction of a synthetic graphite anode material plant in Thai Nguyen, an industrial city in northern Vietnam. The company plans to invest approximately 357 billion won, break ground in the second half of this year, and begin mass production in 2028.
The plant will be built on a site capable of expanding synthetic graphite anode material production capacity to approximately 55,000 tons. The company plans to expand in phases as it secures additional orders.
POSCO Future M currently operates a synthetic graphite anode material plant with annual capacity of 8,000 tons in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Leveraging its operational experience from the Pohang facility, the company aims to mass-produce cost-competitive products in Vietnam for supply to global customers.
Synthetic graphite anode material is advantageous for improving battery fast-charging performance and lifespan. Global demand has been steadily increasing, but the material is drawing attention as a critical component requiring supply chain diversification due to high dependence on China.
Vietnam offers competitive cost advantages through lower investment, electricity, labor, and logistics expenses. The country also possesses industrial infrastructure including power grids and pursues export-oriented economic growth, making it favorable for exports to major markets including the United States.
POSCO Future M has led South Korea's battery industry toward supply chain independence, beginning with domestic production of natural graphite anode materials in 2011 and completing a synthetic graphite anode material plant in Pohang in 2021 to establish mass production capabilities.
"We are in discussions with numerous customers in South Korea, North America, and the European Union regarding cathode and anode material supply, based on our supply chain solutions and technology capable of responding to trade regulations in various countries," POSCO Future M said. "We will continue to advance our business competitiveness and expand sales to become a global leading battery materials company."
