POSCO Future M 计划2029年自主量产LFP用磷酸铁(FP)前驱体，配套已签三星SDI/SK On超7万亿韩元正极供货合同

POSCO Future M Targets In-House Supply of LFP Battery Materials < Battery < 기사본문 - The Elec Inc.
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POSCO Future M Targets In-House Supply of LFP Battery Materials
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​Pohang Plant 2 of POSCO Future M.
POSCO Future M plans to become the first South Korean cathode materials maker to localize precursors for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The company aims to begin producing iron phosphate (FP) precursors in 2029 using a process it developed in-house. The move would allow it to internally source key materials for more than 7 trillion won in LFP cathode material supply contracts with Samsung SDI and SK On, reducing its reliance on Chinese suppliers.
​According to industry sources on Oct. 12, POSCO Future M is developing new production processes, including an iron chloride (\text{FeCl}_2) method, with the goal of manufacturing FP precursors in-house from 2029. By using low-cost iron feedstock from POSCO Group, the company aims to reduce production costs and respond to US restrictions on Chinese battery materials.
​As LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On expand production of LFP batteries for energy storage systems (ESS), domestic cathode materials makers are also stepping up their LFP businesses. POSCO Future M and L&F are among the companies moving most quickly. LG Chem and EcoPro BM are developing related products while assessing market entry timing and commercial viability.
​Cathode materials account for about 40% of battery costs and are a key factor determining performance and price. Unlike ternary cathode materials, LFP cathodes use precursors made from iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), and other elements rather than expensive nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co), making their raw materials relatively inexpensive. Precursors are intermediate materials processed from raw inputs for battery manufacturing and account for about 70% of cathode material production costs.
​In South Korea, POSCO Future M, EcoPro Materials, Eco&Dream, and Korea Precursor Co. (KPC) supply precursors for ternary cathode materials, but no domestic company mass-produces FP precursors. The business has low profitability. If South Korean companies adopt the same iron sulfate-based process used in China, raw material costs could make production loss-making.
​The iron sulfate method is mainly used by Chinese companies that have access to low-cost supplies of phosphate rock, phosphate salts, and iron sulfate. The process removes impurities from iron sulfate before reacting it with phosphate-based materials to produce FP precursors. China accounts for about 47% of global phosphate rock production, allowing it to secure phosphate salts at low cost. Phosphate salts make up about half the manufacturing cost of FP precursors. Chinese producers also obtain iron sulfate at low prices as a byproduct of titanium dioxide production.
​POSCO Future M plans to develop the iron chloride method and apply it to FP precursor production from 2029. The process involves reacting iron chloride contained in waste acid from steelmaking with phosphoric acid, then heating the mixture at high temperatures to produce FP precursors. It can lower production costs by reducing the coprecipitation, washing, and drying steps required by the conventional iron sulfate method. If the company also sources lithium carbonate from POSCO Group's operations in Argentina, it could establish a vertically integrated supply chain spanning lithium and iron feedstock through LFP cathode materials. This would help it remain competitive on price without relying on Chinese raw materials. A key challenge, however, will be matching leading Chinese producers in FP precursor compaction density and yield.
​LFP cathodes are classified into generations according to compaction density. Products with a density of 2.3 grams per cubic centimeter (\text{g/cm}^3) are considered first-generation, 2.4 \text{g/cm}^3 second-generation, 2.5 \text{g/cm}^3 third-generation, and 2.6 \text{g/cm}^3 or higher fourth-generation. Higher compaction density allows more energy to be stored in the same volume. POSCO Future M plans to initially mass-produce third-generation products for ESS applications. Leading Chinese manufacturers supply fourth-generation products mainly for electric vehicles. POSCO Future M also developed a fourth-generation product this year and is considering entry into the electric vehicle market.
​In addition to the iron chloride method, POSCO Future M is developing a precursor-free process that eliminates the precursor manufacturing stage. The method directly mixes raw materials to produce LFP cathode materials, potentially reducing production costs further. However, achieving uniform mixing and consistent particle sizes remains difficult.
​To enter the LFP cathode market early, POSCO Future M has opted to convert part of the high-nickel cathode production lines at its Pohang plant. Initially, it will source FP precursors from external partners, including China's CNGR.
​As orders increase, the company is expected to convert additional LFP cathode production capacity at its Pohang plant. POSCO Future M signed a 1.1 trillion won contract with SK On on Sept. 22 to supply LFP cathode materials for ESS applications, followed by a long-term supply agreement with Samsung SDI on Oct. 6 valued at 6.0515 trillion won.
EunGyu Kim
giddk1206@thelec.kr
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