POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material is moving from development to production as the company targets mass output in 2028. The South Korean battery materials maker plans to finish development by the third quarter of 2027. Then it aims to use existing anode material lines to begin large-scale production in 2028. As a result, POSCO Future M is positioning itself early in the Sodium-ion Battery supply chain.
The company added hard carbon anode material to its latest battery materials roadmap. Moreover, this marks the first time POSCO Future M has publicly outlined both a development schedule and a mass production plan for this product. In South Korea, only Aekyung Chemical had previously disclosed similar plans. Therefore, POSCO Future M is emerging as a key domestic player in this segment.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material roadmap
According to industry sources, POSCO Future M recently finalized plans for cathode materials, anode materials, and next-generation battery materials. Within that strategy, the company set a clear timeline for hard carbon. First, it will complete development by the third quarter of 2027. Next, it will begin mass production in 2028. This schedule aligns with growing interest in sodium-ion batteries for energy storage and other applications.
Importantly, the company expects sodium-ion batteries to expand battery use cases rather than replace lithium iron phosphate batteries. For example, sodium-ion cells can support low-temperature environments and long-life applications. In addition, South Korean battery makers such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are also developing sodium-ion batteries for long-duration energy storage systems.
Why POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material matters
Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium. Because sodium is abundant, supply can be more stable and easier to secure. The overall battery structure remains familiar. It still includes a cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator. However, the active materials differ from those used in Lithium-ion batteries.
For cathodes, sodium-ion batteries often use sodium iron phosphate, or NFPP, and nickel-iron-manganese, or NFM. For anodes, manufacturers mainly use hard carbon instead of graphite. In the electrolyte, they use sodium salts dissolved in an organic solvent. Consequently, hard carbon has become one of the most important materials in this battery chemistry.
The reason is simple. Sodium atoms are about 2.5 times larger than lithium atoms. They are also more than three times heavier. Therefore, conventional graphite does not offer an ideal structure for smooth sodium-ion movement. By contrast, hard carbon provides a wider interlayer structure and fine internal pores. As a result, it can store sodium ions more stably during charging and discharging.
Hard carbon also supports repeated cycling with relatively small structural change. Furthermore, manufacturers can offset part of the material cost through current collector choices. Aluminum foil costs about one-third as much as conventional copper foil. Therefore, sodium-ion battery designs can gain some material cost benefits at the cell level.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material production plan
POSCO Future M plans to produce hard carbon by adapting existing anode material production lines. This approach can improve efficiency and speed up commercialization. For instance, the company can partially use current heat-treatment furnaces, reactors, and slurry processes. As a result, it can reduce the burden of building entirely new facilities.
This production strategy matters because market demand is expected to rise quickly. Market research firms forecast that global sodium-ion battery shipments will exceed 70 gigawatt-hours in 2028. In addition, producing 1 gigawatt-hour of batteries requires about 1,500 tons of hard carbon anode material. Based on those figures, demand for hard carbon anode material in 2028 could exceed 100,000 tons.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material and market competition
China currently leads hard carbon supply. Companies such as BTR, Shanshan, and Zhongke Electric are already mass producing hard carbon anode material. Notably, these firms also rank among the global leaders in graphite anode materials. China’s hard carbon production capacity is estimated at 80,000 to 90,000 tons per year. Therefore, the market already has clear scale leaders.
In South Korea, Aekyung Chemical was the first company to announce hard carbon mass production plans. It is building a pilot line with annual capacity of 1,300 tons. The company is targeting completion within 2026. Even so, POSCO Future M’s 2028 production target adds important domestic supply potential and broadens South Korea’s next-generation battery materials base.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material within a broader strategy
POSCO Future M also shared a wider roadmap for next-generation battery materials. The plan includes LFP cathode material, lithium manganese-rich cathode material, and silicon anode material. In Pohang, the company will convert part of its cathode lines for LFP use. It plans to produce prototypes in 2026 and start mass production in the second half. Then, in 2029, it aims to build an LFP cathode production system based on group raw materials and in-house processes.
For anode materials, the company will expand beyond one product type. It plans to strengthen its lineup across natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon, and silicon anode materials. Therefore, POSCO Future M is building a broader portfolio to serve both electric vehicle and energy storage markets.
Overall, POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material stands out as a significant addition to the company’s future battery materials business. The timeline is clear, the demand outlook is strong, and the production strategy uses existing assets. Consequently, the company is preparing to enter a fast-growing market at a critical time for sodium-ion battery adoption.
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