POSCO Future M is accelerating its push toward a fully localized anode material supply chain by investing 396.1 billion won ($277.2 million) to construct a domestic plant for producing spherical graphite, a key intermediate material for anodes in lithium-ion batteries.

The company announced Tuesday that its board approved the investment, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2025 and mass production likely to start around 2027.

This investment is part of POSCO Group’s broader strategy to achieve supply chain independence - from sourcing natural flake graphite from Africa to manufacturing final anode materials at its plant in Sejong, South Korea. The new domestic facility will refine the African-sourced flake graphite into spherical graphite, which will then be used to produce natural graphite-based anode materials.

The move is expected to significantly reduce reliance on overseas suppliers - particularly China - and lower risks associated with material price volatility and supply instability. Until now, POSCO Future M had depended on imports from China for spherical graphite.

With the global anode market rapidly expanding, the establishment of a stable, self-sufficient, and cost-effective supply chain is set to be a critical factor in ensuring profitability and competitiveness. “By creating a fully integrated value chain from African mines to domestic production, we have secured a key competitive edge in our anode materials business. This investment lays the foundation for sustainable growth in the global battery materials market,” a company official said.

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