POSCO Future M Hard Carbon Output Starts in 2028

POSCO Future M hard carbon output starts in 2028 as the South Korean battery materials company moves into Sodium-ion Battery anode materials. The company plans to complete 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 South Korean companies to set a clear timeline for both development and scaled output of hard carbon anode material.

Moreover, the move fits the rising interest in sodium-ion batteries for energy storage and other applications that value long life and solid low-temperature performance. As battery makers widen their chemistries, hard carbon is becoming an important material to watch. Therefore, POSCO Future M’s 2028 plan marks a notable step in the next phase of battery materials growth.

POSCO Future M hard carbon output starts in 2028

According to industry sources, POSCO Future M recently organized a development plan for cathode materials, anode materials, and next-generation battery materials. For the first time, that plan included hard carbon anode material for sodium-ion batteries. The company set a clear schedule. First, it will finish development by Q3 2027. Next, it will move to mass production in 2028.

In addition, POSCO Future M plans to use its existing anode production lines for hard carbon. This approach can improve efficiency. It can also help the company scale output with less additional investment. Equipment such as heat-treatment furnaces, reactors, and slurry processing systems can be adapted in part for hard carbon production. As a result, the company can build on its current manufacturing base while expanding into a new battery segment.

Why POSCO Future M hard carbon matters for sodium-ion batteries

Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium. Because sodium is abundant, supply is easier to secure. In addition, sodium prices tend to show less volatility than lithium prices. The overall battery structure remains familiar. Like Lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries use a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator. However, the materials inside these parts differ.

For cathodes, producers use materials such as sodium iron phosphate, often called NFPP, or nickel-iron-manganese, known as NFM. For anodes, hard carbon plays a central role. This is important because sodium ions are much larger than lithium ions. In fact, sodium atoms are about 2.5 times larger and more than three times heavier than lithium atoms. Therefore, standard graphite does not provide the same fit for sodium-ion movement.

By contrast, hard carbon offers a wider interlayer structure and fine internal pores. These features help store sodium ions more stably during charging and discharging. Furthermore, hard carbon maintains structural stability through repeated battery cycles. That makes it well suited for sodium-ion battery applications, especially in energy storage systems that need long operating life.

POSCO Future M hard carbon and the 2028 market outlook

The timing of POSCO Future M’s plan aligns with projected market growth. Market research firms forecast that global sodium-ion battery shipments will exceed 70 gigawatt-hours in 2028. That number points to fast-rising demand for the materials used inside these batteries. Importantly, each 1 gigawatt-hour of battery production requires about 1,500 tons of hard carbon anode material.

Based on that ratio, demand for hard carbon anode material could exceed 100,000 tons in 2028. Consequently, material suppliers that can deliver reliable output may gain an early advantage. POSCO Future M appears to be positioning itself for that opportunity with a defined development and production timeline.

At present, China leads the hard carbon supply chain. Companies such as BTR, Shanshan, and Zhongke Electric already mass produce hard carbon anode material. These firms also rank among the leading graphite anode material suppliers. China’s hard carbon production capacity is estimated at 80,000 to 90,000 tons per year. Meanwhile, in South Korea, Aekyung Chemical previously disclosed hard carbon mass production plans and is building a pilot line with annual capacity of 1,300 tons.

How POSCO Future M supports a wider battery materials strategy

POSCO Future M did not present hard carbon as a standalone project. Instead, the company placed it inside a broader battery materials roadmap. Along with hard carbon, it also shared plans for lithium iron phosphate cathode material, lithium manganese-rich cathode material, and silicon anode material. This wider strategy shows that the company wants to serve several battery segments at once.

For example, POSCO Future M will convert part of its cathode lines in Pohang for LFP production. It plans to produce prototypes in 2026 and start mass production in the second half. Then, in 2029, it plans to build an LFP cathode production system using group-based raw materials and in-house processes. On the anode side, the company also aims to expand across natural graphite, artificial graphite, and silicon anode materials.

Overall, the hard carbon plan strengthens POSCO Future M’s position in next-generation battery materials. It also reflects growing confidence in sodium-ion battery adoption for long-duration energy storage and related uses. With development set for completion by Q3 2027 and mass production targeted for 2028, the company has now given the market a concrete schedule. As demand rises, that clarity could become a key advantage.

Disclaimer:
The content presented on this page has not been manually verified by our team.
While we strive to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the validity, completeness,
or timeliness of the information provided. Always consult with appropriate professionals
or sources before making any decisions based on this content.