POSCO Future M Co. is advancing its development of all-solid-state battery materials with the goal of achieving mass production by 2030. At the company’s technology research center in Sejong City, researchers have been evaluating particle distribution within electrode layers—a critical factor in increasing energy density in cathode materials for solid-state cells.
All-solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid materials, offering higher value-added performance. They are lighter and substantially reduce fire risks associated with electrolyte leakage in conventional lithium-ion batteries, earning them the nickname “dream batteries.” According to data from Markets and Markets, the global all-solid-state battery market is projected to grow from $148 million in 2025 to $963 million by 2030.
However, manufacturing costs for solid-state batteries are currently three to five times higher than those for traditional cells, delaying commercial deployment in electric vehicles. POSCO Future M is recognized for its advanced capabilities in this area and is the only entity within the POSCO Group to internally source solid electrolytes. A company official noted that POSCO Future M leads in designing and coating cathode materials for solid-state applications.
To extend cycle life and improve capacity, cathode particles must be uniformly arranged and coated to prevent direct contact with solid electrolytes. The company has developed precision technology that applies a uniform coating layer just one ten-thousandth the thickness of a human hair. Nam Sang-cheol, head of the cathode research center, emphasized that even minimal uncoated areas can degrade battery performance, underscoring the importance of atomically thin, gap-free coatings.
At the group level, POSCO has established an integrated value chain covering raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and graphite through to finished battery materials. The company plans to align its mass-production timeline with market growth projections and expects solid electrolyte costs to decrease significantly as scale is realized.
In response to a temporary slowdown in electric vehicle battery demand, POSCO Future M is diversifying into higher value-added applications, including batteries for humanoid and industrial robots. Research and testing in these areas are already underway.
To counter low-price competition from China, the company is focusing on technologies that are difficult to replicate. This includes lithium manganese-rich batteries, which match the cost of lithium iron phosphate cells but offer 30 percent greater energy density, and advanced silicon-based anode materials that deliver five to ten times higher energy storage and enable ultra-fast charging. A demonstration plant currently produces 50 tons of silicon anode material per year.
Market research from SNE Research indicates that global cathode material usage in electric vehicles rose 36.7 percent year-on-year to 2.32 million tons from January to November. The firm notes that future competitiveness will hinge not only on performance and cost but also on transparent supply-chain management and risk mitigation.
