POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material is set to become a key part of the company’s next battery materials strategy. The South Korean battery materials maker plans to complete development by the third quarter of 2027. Then, it aims to start mass production in 2028. This plan puts POSCO Future M among the early domestic players preparing commercial output for Sodium-ion Battery anodes.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material roadmap
According to industry sources, POSCO Future M recently finalized development plans for cathode materials, anode materials, and other next-generation battery materials. For the first time, the roadmap included hard carbon anode material for sodium-ion batteries. As a result, the company has now set a clear schedule for both development and production.
The timeline is specific. First, POSCO Future M plans to finish development by Q3 2027. Next, it will move into mass production in 2028. In South Korea, only a small number of companies have publicly shared both development and mass production plans for hard carbon. Therefore, this move gives POSCO Future M an important early position in the domestic market.
Why POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material matters
Hard carbon anode material plays a central role in sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries use sodium instead of lithium. Because sodium is abundant, supply can be more stable. In addition, price swings for sodium raw materials tend to be more manageable than for lithium.
The overall battery structure remains familiar. Sodium-ion batteries still use a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator. However, the material mix changes. On the cathode side, manufacturers use materials such as sodium iron phosphate and nickel-iron-manganese. On the anode side, hard carbon takes the place of graphite in many designs.
This shift matters for performance and fit. Sodium ions are larger than lithium ions. In fact, sodium atoms are about 2.5 times larger and more than three times heavier. Therefore, graphite’s tighter layer spacing does not support sodium-ion movement as effectively. By contrast, hard carbon offers wider interlayer spacing and fine internal pores. As a result, it can store sodium ions more stably during charging and discharging.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material and production plans
POSCO Future M plans to use its existing anode material production lines for hard carbon output. This approach can improve efficiency and shorten the path to scale. The company can adapt equipment such as heat-treatment furnaces, reactors, and slurry process systems. Consequently, it can reduce the need for entirely new facilities.
That production strategy matters because battery materials projects often depend on timing and capital discipline. By reusing parts of its current manufacturing setup, POSCO Future M can build capacity with a more practical investment plan. Moreover, the company can align hard carbon production with broader demand from energy storage and battery customers.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material and sodium-ion battery demand
POSCO Future M expects sodium-ion batteries to expand use cases rather than replace lithium iron phosphate batteries outright. In particular, sodium-ion batteries can serve applications that need strong low-temperature operation and long life. Therefore, they are drawing attention for energy storage systems, or ESS.
Other major South Korean battery makers are also exploring this field. LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are developing sodium-ion batteries for low-temperature, long-duration ESS applications. This wider industry activity supports the idea that sodium-ion batteries could gain a larger role in selected segments through 2028 and beyond.
Market forecasts reflect that momentum. Research firms expect global sodium-ion battery shipments to exceed 70 gigawatt-hours in 2028. In addition, producing 1 GWh of batteries requires about 1,500 tons of hard carbon anode material. Based on those figures, hard carbon anode demand in 2028 could exceed 100,000 tons worldwide.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material in the market
China currently leads hard carbon supply. Companies such as BTR, Shanshan, and Zhongke Electric already mass produce hard carbon anode material. These firms also rank among the global leaders in graphite anode materials. At present, China’s hard carbon production capacity 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 building a pilot line with annual capacity of 1,300 tons. The company is targeting completion within 2026. Against that backdrop, POSCO Future M’s 2028 production target adds another notable domestic supply source.
POSCO Future M hard carbon anode material within a broader battery strategy
POSCO Future M presented hard carbon as one part of a wider next-generation battery materials roadmap. The company also outlined plans for lithium iron phosphate cathode material, lithium manganese-rich cathode material, and silicon anode material. In addition, it plans to convert part of its cathode production lines in Pohang for LFP use.
The company intends to produce LFP prototypes in 2026 and start mass production in the second half. Later, in 2029, it plans to build an LFP cathode production system based on group raw materials and internal processes. For anodes, it will continue expanding across natural graphite, artificial graphite, hard carbon, and silicon materials.
Overall, POSCO Future M has set a clear path for hard carbon anode material. It plans to complete development by Q3 2027 and begin mass production in 2028. Furthermore, it aims to use existing production assets to support scale-up. With sodium-ion battery demand expected to grow, the company is positioning itself for an important role in the next phase of battery materials supply.
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