POSCO Future M hard carbon output will start in 2028 as the company moves into Sodium-ion Battery materials. The South Korean battery materials maker plans to finish development by the third quarter of 2027. Then, it aims to begin mass production in 2028. This plan places POSCO Future M among the first companies in South Korea to set both a development timeline and a mass production target for hard carbon anode material.
Moreover, the move shows how quickly sodium-ion battery materials are gaining attention in energy storage and mobility. POSCO Future M included the plan in its latest roadmap for cathode materials, anode materials, and next-generation battery technologies. As a result, the company is preparing for rising demand in new battery segments while using much of its existing production base.
POSCO Future M hard carbon output timeline
According to industry sources on July 24, 2026, POSCO Future M recently finalized development plans for key battery materials. For the first time, the company formally included hard carbon anode material for sodium-ion batteries in that roadmap. Specifically, it plans to complete development by the third quarter of 2027. After that, it expects to move into full-scale production in 2028.
This timeline matters because sodium-ion batteries are expanding into applications that value long life and strong low-temperature performance. Therefore, POSCO Future M is positioning itself for future demand in energy storage systems and other battery markets. At the same time, major South Korean battery makers such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are also developing sodium-ion batteries for long-duration and low-temperature ESS use.
Why POSCO Future M hard carbon output matters
Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium. Since sodium is abundant on Earth, supply is easier to secure. In addition, sodium prices tend to show smaller swings than lithium prices. That gives sodium-ion technology a practical edge in material planning and long-term sourcing.
The overall battery structure remains familiar. Sodium-ion batteries still use a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator. However, the materials inside those parts change. Cathode materials often use sodium iron phosphate, or NFPP, and nickel-iron-manganese, or NFM. For the anode, manufacturers mainly use hard carbon instead of graphite. The electrolyte also uses sodium salts dissolved in an organic solvent.
Hard carbon plays an important role because sodium ions are larger than lithium ions. In fact, sodium atoms are about 2.5 times larger and more than three times heavier. As a result, hard carbon offers a structure that supports stable ion storage. It has wider layer spacing and fine internal pores. Therefore, it can store sodium ions efficiently during repeated charging and discharging cycles.
How POSCO Future M hard carbon output will be produced
POSCO Future M plans to produce hard carbon by adapting existing anode material lines. This approach should help the company move faster toward commercialization. It can reuse parts of its current setup, including heat-treatment furnaces, reactors, and slurry processing equipment. Consequently, the company can reduce new investment needs while building capacity for a new product line.
This production strategy also fits POSCO Future M’s broader battery material portfolio. The company already operates in anode and cathode materials. Therefore, it can integrate hard carbon into an established manufacturing system instead of starting from scratch. That practical step may help it scale supply more efficiently in 2028.
POSCO Future M hard carbon output and market demand
Global demand for sodium-ion batteries is expected to grow quickly over the next few years. Market research firms forecast global sodium-ion battery shipments will exceed 70 gigawatt-hours in 2028. In material terms, that is significant. Producing 1 gigawatt-hour of batteries requires about 1,500 tons of hard carbon anode material.
Based on that estimate, hard carbon anode material demand in 2028 could exceed 100,000 tons. Accordingly, suppliers that secure early production capacity may benefit from rising orders as sodium-ion battery adoption expands. POSCO Future M appears to be targeting that demand window with its 2028 launch schedule.
In the current supply chain, Chinese companies lead hard carbon production. Major producers include BTR, Shanshan, and Zhongke Electric. These firms also rank among the leading global graphite anode material suppliers. Their combined hard carbon production capacity in China is estimated at 80,000 to 90,000 tons per year. In South Korea, Aekyung Chemical was the first company to disclose hard carbon mass production plans. It is now building a pilot line with annual capacity of 1,300 tons and aims to complete it within 2026.
POSCO Future M hard carbon output within its battery roadmap
POSCO Future M introduced the hard carbon plan as part of a wider next-generation battery materials roadmap. In addition to hard carbon, the company also outlined development plans for LFP cathode material, lithium manganese-rich cathode material, and silicon anode material. This broader strategy shows that the company wants to serve several battery chemistries and end markets.
For LFP, POSCO Future M plans to convert part of its Pohang cathode production lines for LFP production. It aims to make prototypes in 2026 and begin mass production in the second half. Then, in 2029, the company plans to build an LFP cathode production system that uses group-sourced raw materials and in-house processes. On the anode side, it will continue expanding its lineup across natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon, and silicon anode materials.
Overall, POSCO Future M hard carbon output marks an important step in the company’s next-generation battery materials strategy. By targeting development completion in the third quarter of 2027 and mass production in 2028, the company is preparing for a fast-growing sodium-ion battery market. Furthermore, by using existing production lines, it can support a more efficient launch. With demand for hard carbon expected to top 100,000 tons in 2028, POSCO Future M is entering the market at a notable moment.
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