POSCO Powers Up: Groundbreaking Lithium Hydroxide Plant Now Operational in Argentina

POSCO Holdings Inc. said. on Sunday that it has completed a lithium hydroxide plant in Argentina, boosting its ability to produce electric vehicle (EV) battery materials.

The plant in Güemes, Salta Province, can produce 25,000 tons annually.

POSCO Holdings extracts lithium phosphate from a salt lake in Salta processes it at an altitude of 4,000 meters, then converts it into lithium hydroxide at the new lowland facility.

The company is investing 1 trillion won ($741 million) in a second 25,000-ton factory nearby and plans a third 50,000-ton facility.

Lithium extraction demonstration plant construction site — Hombre Muerto Salt Lake, Argentina (Courtesy of POSCO)

In South Korea, POSCO Holdings operates a 21,500-ton plant in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, and expects to complete another one of the same size this year.

When all projects are completed as planned, POSCO Holdings’ total production capacity will reach 143,000 tons annually, both domestically and overseas.

Write to Hoon Sung sang at uphoon@hankyung.com