POSCO Future M (003670.KS) has secured mass production technology for silicon anode materials and is set to accelerate its push into the next-generation battery market.
POSCO Future M announced Wednesday that it has secured silicon anode mass production technology after completing product testing and quality verification with major domestic and international customers. The company is pursuing the start of mass production in 2028, taking into account market demand and industry conditions.
Despite their high energy storage capacity, silicon anodes have faced volume expansion during charge-discharge cycles as a key obstacle to commercialization. The POSCO Future M Technology Research Institute has secured commercialization technology that significantly mitigates the expansion issue by applying its proprietary silicon nanotechnology and carbon composite technology.
Silicon anodes have significantly higher energy density and faster charging speeds compared to existing graphite-based anodes. Demand is expected to expand rapidly, centered on high-performance, high-output batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and robotics.
The silicon anode developed by POSCO Future M can store more than four times the energy of graphite-based anodes. Silicon anodes are typically mixed with graphite-based anodes for use in batteries. In tests where POSCO Future M raised the silicon anode mixing ratio to over 20%, the material maintained more than 80% of its initial capacity after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles.
POSCO Future M expects demand to expand from the premium EV market, which simultaneously requires longer driving ranges and shorter charging times, to humanoid robots and urban air mobility (UAM). The company is collaborating with U.S. solid-state battery specialist Factorial to continuously enhance the technological maturity of both cathode and silicon anode materials.
POSCO Future M plans to enhance its competitiveness through advanced process technology and improved productivity, build a stable supply system, and capture silicon anode demand ahead of competitors.
"Silicon anodes are a next-generation core material that will determine battery performance," said Hong Young-jun, head of the POSCO Future M Technology Research Institute. "Based on our accumulated materials technology and mass production experience, we will provide the best solutions to our customers while continuing to expand our global market competitiveness."
