Prioritizing the acquisition of high-quality resources… Chairman In-hwa Chang: “We will diversify the lithium supply chain and leap forward as the world’s No. 1 lithium company”

POSCO Holdings will invest a total of KRW 1.1 trillion to secure high-quality lithium resources in Australia and Argentina, aiming to strengthen its competitiveness in raw materials for secondary battery materials.

This initiative is part of POSCO Group’s secondary battery materials business strategy, which prioritizes securing high-quality resources through swift and aggressive investments in global lithium assets, thereby enhancing cost competitiveness and ensuring a stable supply of raw materials.

On November 11, POSCO Holdings decided to acquire a 30% stake in a newly established intermediate holding company of Mineral Resources, a leading Australian mining company. The investment amounts to approximately USD 765 million, or about KRW 1 trillion.

Through this investment, POSCO Holdings will be able to stably secure 270,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually from Mineral Resources’ globally top-tier lithium mines — the Wodgina Mine and the Mt. Marion Mine in Western Australia. This figure reflects the planned production capacity expansion of the two mines and is equivalent to producing 37,000 tons of lithium hydroxide, enough to power approximately 860,000 electric vehicles.

The strategic equity investment in the Australian lithium mines will allow POSCO Holdings to participate in mine management and secure dividend income, with plans to pursue phased business expansion into lithium concentrate refining when the market enters a full growth phase.

In addition, POSCO Holdings is accelerating the acquisition of high-quality brine lithium resources.

On November 5, POSCO Holdings decided to invest USD 65 million (approximately KRW 95 billion) to acquire 100% of the shares in the Argentine subsidiary of Lithium South (LIS), a Canadian resource development company that owns mining rights within the Hombre Muerto salt lake in Argentina.

Having already acquired key mining rights in the Hombre Muerto salt lake in 2018, POSCO Holdings will, through this adjacent mining rights acquisition, secure additional resources and land in one of the world’s highest-grade lithium deposits. The company expects strong synergies with its existing lithium projects in Argentina, leveraging already established infrastructure and operational know-how.

Chairman In-hwa Chang of POSCO Group stated, “Securing raw material competitiveness is paramount to becoming the world’s No. 1 lithium company. We will diversify the global lithium supply chain through active investments.”

Chris Ellison, CEO of Mineral Resources, said, “We are pleased to see our solid partnership with POSCO Group, which began with the Onslow iron ore mine project in Western Australia, expand into the lithium business. We look forward to combining our capabilities to continuously create value at the Wodgina and Mt. Marion mines.”

Since Chairman In-hwa Chang took office last year, POSCO Group has reorganized its business portfolio into “2 Core (Steel & Secondary Battery Materials) + New Engine (New Businesses).” Through future growth investments in its core businesses, the group aims to go beyond its long-standing mission of “patriotism through steelmaking” to realize “materials patriotism” by localizing secondary battery materials and contributing to the enhancement of national economic and industrial competitiveness.

▲ The Wodgina lithium mine in Western Australia, owned and operated by Australian Mineral Resources.

▲ Hombre Muerto lithium salt lake, Argentina.

POSCO Group signs MOU with global raw materials company BHP for collaboration on HyREX hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology

Chairman Chang presents future vision for the global supply chain at APEC CEO Summit, based on Korea-Australia economic cooperation cases

On October 30, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited POSCO’s Pohang Works, a company that represents economic cooperation between Korea and Australia.

This marks the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister in 22 years, since former Prime Minister John Howard in 2003, and serves as an opportunity for the two nations to further strengthen their future-oriented partnership across various industries, including resources, materials, and future energy.

Prime Minister Albanese toured the raw material pier at Pohang Works, where he observed the actual use of Australian iron ore and coking coal, and received a briefing on HyREX, Korea’s proprietary hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology.

POSCO Group began purchasing Australian iron ore in 1971 and has since used over 1.5 billion tons of Australian iron ore and coking coal — a symbolic example of Korea-Australia cooperation in the resources and steel industries.

Prime Minister Albanese stated, “Australia is one of the world’s leading resource-rich nations, a land of infinite opportunity where industries can grow through investment in critical minerals. Australia’s abundant resources will be a driving force for the global economy, and we will continue to expand cooperation with Korea.”

Chairman In-hwa Chang of POSCO Group said during his meeting with the Prime Minister, “Australia is a strategic partner with whom we are pioneering future growth industries, extending beyond steel to secondary battery materials and energy. I expect this visit to serve as a catalyst for strengthening trust between our two countries.”

Since its investment in the Roy Hill iron ore mine in 2010, POSCO Group has been promoting an HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) production project in Australia as a low-carbon steel raw material initiative, and in 2022, it acquired Senex Energy to expand its natural gas business.

Prior to the meeting with the Prime Minister, POSCO Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BHP, Australia’s leading global raw materials company, for R&D cooperation on the HyREX carbon reduction steelmaking process. Under the agreement, BHP will provide the iron ore feedstock and technical expertise required for the trial operation of the HyREX demonstration plant. POSCO Group plans to develop this cooperation into a successful example of climate change response jointly undertaken by a global steelmaker and a raw materials supplier.

Earlier in the day, Chairman Chang delivered a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit held at the Gyeongju Arts Center, under the theme “Connecting the Future: POSCO’s Supply Chain Partnerships for Shared Prosperity.”

He emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and solidarity in building sustainable and resilient global supply chains, which have emerged as a core agenda for the global economy. He also shared examples of strategic economic cooperation between POSCO Group and Australia over the past half-century, including strengthening raw material supply chains, co-developing low-carbon products, and transitioning to future energy.

Following the keynote, a panel discussion was held with Garry Korte, CEO of Hancock, and Omoto Masayuki, CEO of Marubeni, to explore solutions for global supply chain challenges from multiple perspectives.

On October 29, POSCO Group also hosted “POSCO Night,” inviting key business partners. Attendees included Simon Trott, CEO of Rio Tinto Group, and Zhu Wei, President of CATL ESS, who engaged in extensive exchanges with POSCO Group’s management to explore business cooperation opportunities.

▲ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Pohang works on the 30th. Prime Minister Albanese and POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa chang agreed to continue expanding economic cooperation between Korea and Australia.

Joint development of steel and battery material utilization technologies and rare earth refining technologies with local raw material companies and research institutions

Chairman In-hwa Chang: “Combining Australia’s resources with POSCO’s technology to create added value … Will become a strategic hub for resource processing technology and critical mineral acquisition”

POSCO Holdings has opened the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in Perth, Western Australia, and is embarking on securing ultra-gaps in technological competitiveness in steel, battery material, raw materials, and rare earth sectors. This marks the first time a Korean company has established a resource research institute on-site where raw materials are located.

The opening ceremony held on May 30 in Perth, Western Australia, was attended by POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang, POSCO N.EX.T Hub Director Ki-soo Kim, representatives from Australian raw material companies including Hancock, BHP, Rio Tinto, and PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals), research institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), and local universities including Curtin.

Chairman In-hwa Chang emphasized, “Since receiving its first iron ore supply from Australia in 1971, POSCO has been transforming into a global top materials company in steel and battery materials through solid collaboration with the Australian government and industry. The Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab will combine Australia’s abundant resources with POSCO Group’s materials technology capabilities to add value to the Group’s core businesses and serve as a strategic hub for raw material processing technology and critical mineral acquisition.”

The POSCO Group has recognized the importance of localization strategies in steel and battery materials businesses, which have high raw material cost ratios, extending beyond economical raw material procurement to securing technological competitiveness in carbon reduction. Accordingly, it has become the first Korean company to establish a specialized research institution on-site in Australia, where raw material mines and international research institutions are located.

Chairman In-hwa Chang has emphasized the importance of cost reduction practices and technologies, particularly announcing his commitment to solving business-specific challenges through the integration of technology and business strategy across all steps from research and development to production and sales.

The Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab will serve as a hub for the Group’s critical mineral research and development, including project execution in collaboration with local raw material companies and research institutions in the Group’s core business areas, such as economical low-carbon steel raw material utilization technology and cost reduction technology in lithium and nickel raw material sectors.

Moreover, the institute plans to conduct parallel research on rare earth supply chains and high-efficiency separation and refining technologies to explore next-generation critical mineral business opportunities and drive investment in global premier mines through local information exchange.

The POSCO Group has been cooperating with Australia in building supply chains for critical minerals, such as iron ore and lithium, since the early 1980s. It has participated in the development of Australia’s Roy Hill iron ore mine to procure steel raw materials stably and operates a joint venture for battery lithium hydroxide with PLS.

In particular, Chairman In-hwa Chang, leading the Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Committee, is facilitating close cooperation between the two countries’ business communities and industrial development beyond traditional resource cooperation in minerals and batteries.

▲POSCO Holdings held the opening ceremony for the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in Perth, Western Australia, on May 30. From left: Will Milstead, Rio Tinto CFO; John Stanning, PLS Head of Development; Professor Joe Elphick Huang, Curtin University; Ben Ellis, BHP Sustainability Executive; Miriam Stanborough, MRIWA Board Chair; Faye Duda, Honorary Consul to Australia; Chairman In-hwa Chang; Lewis Fisher, CSIRO Mineral Resources Director; Professor Marco Fiorentini, University of Western Australia; Professor Alex Nicholoski, Murdoch University; Ki-soo Kim, POSCO N.EX.T Hub Director.

The 2024 Global Volunteer Week, POSCO’s special volunteer service event, was held from May 23 to 31. More than 20,000 POSCO employees in Korea and other countries participated in large-scale volunteer work to practice sharing. POSCO Newsroom has taken vivid photos of the volunteer activities carried out by overseas subsidiary employees worldwide. Let’s meet them!

▲ The center director of POSCO-TNPC and eight employees made and delivered a donation set (including a 2-month supply of diapers) to support low-income families such as single mothers and disabled children at the Women’s Support Center in Bursa. It was meaningful in that the costs of the donated sets were funded by savings in electricity bills and costs associated with replacing the company’s LEDs and purchasing waste paper collection boxes.

▲ POSCO-ASSAN TST employees visited a kindergarten near its head office, created a new playground using waste wood, and performed environmental improvement by repainting old play equipment.

▲ POSCO-PWPC visited a nearby organization for disabled children and held an event to promote Korean culture through Korean language classes. The 10 participating employees communicated with the children by teaching them simple Korean greetings and writing their names in Korean.

▲ Four POSCO-Brazil employees conducted environmental cleanup activities at Bosque de Barra Park in downtown Rio de Janeiro on May 28.

▲ POSCO-Mexico employees volunteered to make bread at the Hope Center in downtown Altamira with officials from the Tamaulipas State Department of Welfare. This volunteer activity was especially meaningful in that employees and their families participated.

▲ Employees of four POSCO-MPPC factories carried out various volunteer activities for nine days. Employees of Factory 1 visited a local daycare center, painted classroom walls and floors, and cleaned vegetables and fruits to be delivered to nearby neighbors in need at a food bank. Employees of Factory 2 visited the government agency DIF and donated walkers, canes, and computers. They also visited a public kindergarten and donated playground equipment and computers. Employees of Factory 3 painted a government-supported soup kitchen, and those of Factory 4 visited a local orphanage and donated chairs.

▲ POSCO-MVWPC’s 42 employees visited a local school to paint the exterior walls of the school buildings and replace floor tiles, creating comfortable areas throughout the school to encourage students’ learning activities.

▲ All 52 employees of the AAPC Factory in the United States collected waste around each business site as part of their environmental cleanup activities.

▲ POSCO-America’s nine employees visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects and collected trash around the tombstone.

▲ POSCO-Australia employees held a joint event with KCCA, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and discussed plans for charity activities, and 55 members and their families participated in a charity walking competition to support children with neuroblastoma and completed a 5-kilometer walking course.

▲ POSCO-Western Australia employees conducted environmental cleanup by collecting trash around the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia and cleaned pollutants from the monument.

▲ Thirty-five members of the Mexican Trading Corporation’s volunteer group visited a child and youth protection center in Mexico City, donated various items, and interacted with the children by playing piñata, a traditional Mexican game. (Right) Eight members of the POSCO International Mexico Motor Core Corporation visited a nearby elementary school, presented a first aid kit, cleaning supplies, and school supply sets, and held a tree planting ceremony.

▲ (Left) Nine members of a volunteer group at POSCO International Brazil’s Sao Paulo office donated relief goods for recovery from a flood to victims of heavy rain in Ihu Grande do Sul, Brazil. (Right) Eleven members of the POSCO International BA branch’s volunteer group donated daily necessities and served dinner to low-income and disabled families in a slum in Buenos Aires.

▲ (Left) Eight members of the Bogota branch visited the Red Cross in Bogota and practiced love for their neighbors by donating blood. (Right) Five members of the Panama branch’s volunteer group visited the Panama Canal Miraflores Visitor Center to collect trash and carry out environmental cleanup activities.

▲ Volunteer groups at the German and Italian trading corporations visited a park near the head office and carried out environmental cleanup activities.

▲One hundred and nineteen members of the Uzbek Cotton Corporation’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleaning activities inside and outside the corporation’s factory and around the Fergana region.

▲ (Left) Five members of the Dammam branch’s volunteer group visited nearby Al Khor Beach and carried out environmental cleanup activities on the shore by collecting trash discarded by tourists. (Right) Six members of the Cairo branch’s volunteer group planted 20 lemon trees and 20 pomegranate trees around El Horreya Women’s Hospital.

▲ Eight members of the Johannesburg branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities by picking up trash around the branch office and removing fallen leaves that had been neglected for a long time.

▲ Eleven members of the Tokyo head office’s volunteer group planted flowers in flower beds at nearby Tsukiji River Ginza Park, cleaned up the area around the park, visited a senior center to clean balconies and windows on each floor and organized the garden.

▲ Members of the Osaka branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby orphanage and provided necessary items such as strollers, car seats, and rice and served meals to the homeless in the park.

▲ (Left) Thirteen members of the Nagoya branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities in the Nagoya Castle area. (Right) Twenty-six members of the Beijing branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby senior welfare center to donate necessary items, make meat dumplings, and serve a warm dinner to local seniors living alone.

▲ (Left) Five members of the Qingdao branch’s volunteer group visited a nearby cherry farm, helped with the harvest, purchased cherries produced by the farm, and donated them to a local nursing home. (Right) Six members of the Wuhan branch’s volunteer group visited a childcare facility and presented daily necessities and study materials to the children.

▲ (Left) POSCO-CORE’s volunteer group visited the Yanzi Lake’s Ecological Park near the company and carried out environmental cleanup activities. (Right) Forty-five members of PT. BIA’s volunteer group collected trash around the residences of Papua Palm Farm employees and maintained drainage channels.

▲ (Left) Eleven members of the Labor-Management Council-PT. BIA corporation’s volunteer group donated children’s art supplies to a kindergarten near the company. (Right) Five members of PT. KPE’s volunteer group delivered donations needed to cook lunch boxes to Sewan Village in Indonesia and then participated in cooking.

▲(Left) Twelve members of the Indonesia E&P Corporation’s volunteer group visited a major park in Jakarta and carried out environmental cleanup activities, collecting various types of trash. (Right) Twenty members of the MPCC volunteer group of the Myanmar PRC Corporation and hotel corporation donated 35 sacks of rice and towels for two months to Agape Orphanage Center and carried out residential environment improvement activities by replacing old roofs.

▲(Left) One hundred and twenty-nine members of the Gas Field Operations Office’s volunteer group visited the Yangon Education Center for the Blind and donated braille printing paper, shampoo, toothpaste, and various snacks. (Right) Thirteen members of the Singapore Trading Corporation’s volunteer group carried out volunteer work at the Lions Befrienders Senior Welfare Center by packing and donating goodie bags containing daily necessities such as ramen, canned food, biscuits, and toiletries.

▲(Left) Ten members of the Indian Motor Core corporation’s volunteer group provided snacks and school supplies to boarding schools for children from single-parent and low-income families. Twelve members of the Manila branch’s volunteer group carried out environmental cleanup activities at Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach. (Right) Seven members of the Sydney branch’s volunteer group participated in activities to remove parasitic trees and preserve native trees to protect the forest at the Field of Mars Reserve in Sydney.

Although the regions, environments, and languages ​​are different,
the hearts of POSCO Group executives and employees have become one through ‘sharing.’
POSCO Group’s volunteer activities for coexistence with the local community will continue in the future.
We ask for your interest and support!

Drilling of additional production wells and expansion of infrastructure is in full swing to triple production

The company plans to operate an annual 60 petajoule (PJ) production system starting in 2026

Stable demand has already been secured through the signing of long-term local supply contracts

In addition to production expansion, the company will also focus on securing potential reserves through drilling for exploration mines

POSCO INTERNATIONAL (CEO Lee Kye-In) is speeding up its expansion of the natural gas business in Australia by making timely investments in its subsidiary, Senex Energy, to boost its production expansion plan.

On March 31, the company decided through its board of directors to participate in a capital increase for its subsidiary, Senex Energy, jointly with its partner Hancock Energy. The two companies will invest a total of AUD 650 million (approximately KRW 600 billion) to build an annual 60 petajoule* (PJ: international unit of measurement of energy consumption) production system by 2026.

POSCO INTERNATIONAL will contribute AUD 326 million (approximately KRW 300 billion) to this capital increase, based on its 50.1% stake in Senex Energy. 60 petajoules (PJ) is enough to produce 1.2 million tons of LNG.

The approved investment will be used to drill additional gas production wells and build gas field production facilities, including gas processing facilities and pipelines.

This investment aims to speed up the company’s plan to triple natural gas production, which was announced in July 2022, as the supply of natural gas in eastern Australia is expected to gradually decrease. The Australian government also released its Future Gas Strategy on the 9th of last month, emphasizing the importance of natural gas in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and committing to its continued development.

Additionally, Senex Energy has secured long-term gas supply contracts with Australia’s largest electricity generation company, AGL, as well as with BlueScope, Liberty Steel, and other companies for 151 PJ of gas to ensure profitability after increased production.

Senex Energy, an energy company that produces and develops natural gas in eastern Australia, has experienced rapid growth since becoming a subsidiary of POSCO INTERNATIONAL in April 2022. Before the acquisition, Senex Energy was producing 19.6 PJ of natural gas, gaining AUD 26 million in operating profit in 2021, but in 2023, it produced 26.9 PJ of natural gas achieving AUD 58 million (approximately KRW 53 billion) in operating profit, thus contributing to improving its parent company’s performance.

By 2026, when the incremental gas will be supplied to eastern Australia, Senex Energy is expected to generate more than KRW 600 billion annually in sales, contributing significantly to the parent company’s increased profit.

Furthermore, Senex Energy plans to focus on securing additional reserves by not only expanding production from existing gas fields but also drilling exploration wells. In July of this year, drilling will be conducted in the Rockybar exploration mine in eastern Australia, and with its 50% stake in the Range evaluation, Senex Energy is expected to maintain a stable gas business through further continuous development even after this development for expansion.

Meanwhile, Hancock, an Australian resource development company partnered with POSCO INTERNATIONAL as well as an owner of the Roy Hill mine, has been successfully operating its business through a joint investment with POSCO and is expanding its collaborative partnership into energy business by jointly acquiring Senex Energy with POSCO INTERNATIONAL in 2022.

Last month, Hancock executives visited POSCO INTERNATIONAL’s office in Songdo and met with key executives, including CEO Lee Kye-In, to support the expansion of investment for production and to have in-depth discussions on joint investment in energy projects in Australia and overseas, building on the trust between the two companies.

In the opening speech, CEO Kwon remarked, “As global economic conditions are rapidly changing, our two countries must work together to expand our cooperative relationship,” and emphasized the protection of free trade and reinforced complementary cooperation between the two countries.

At the general meeting, the panelists of the two countries discussed industries with potential for bilateral cooperation including investment, resources and infrastructure, the 4th Industrial Revolution, and food and agro-livestock.

In particular, the panelists discussed ways to uncover new industries in line with the 4th Industrial Revolution, methods of treating energy waste, and joint development of the health and food industries, and current global issues.

The Korean delegation to this annual meeting consisted of over 50 people, including CEO Kwon, Chairman of SM Group Oh-hyun Woo, GS E&C President & CEO Sang-gi Lee and Lotte International Senior Managing Director Gi-ho Jeong. The Korean council members attended the joint meeting, and visited the Startup Precinct in the outskirts of Brisbane, and discussed the venture firms and start-up ecosystem of Australia.

The AKBC is the only private economic consultative organization of the two countries. It has been promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries for about 40 years since its establishment in 1979.

Photo cover courtesy of Federation of Korean Industries.

First held in 1979, the annual joint meeting of the Korea-Australia Business Council marked its 36^th anniversary this year, providing an opportunity for industry leaders of both countries to discuss areas of interest, such as resources and infrastructure, as well as solutions for mutual development. This year’s event attracted special attention from political and financial leaders of both countries, as this was the first meeting since the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in December 2014.

It was reported that Korean companies’ exports to Australia have greatly increased since the commencement of the Korea-Australia FTA. From January to August this year, Korean merchandise exports to Australia increased 15.6 percent compared to last year, which is a very high increase considering that Korean exports dropped 6.3 percent overall during the same period.

During the meeting, both countries agreed to actively make use of the Korea-Australia FTA to encourage continued trade growth and expand both countries’ cooperation in new areas. The general meeting held on October 2 kicked off with the welcome speeches of Bonghyun Kim, Korean Ambassador to Australia, and Senator Richard Colbeck, Minister for Tourism and International Education of Australia. They were followed by presentations on mutual cooperation areas such as infrastructure, resources and finance.

In his opening address, Chairman Ohjoon Kwon noted, “Australia’s strategies for fostering service business and science technologies are in line with Korea’s creative economy.” He also suggested the realization of a creative economy is possible through the exchange of new technologies and cooperation in finance and construction, along with the assistance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

During the meeting, a special session was conducted to introduce Smart Farm, one of Korea’s creative economy pilot programs, to Australia, and a discussion was held on the development of an offshore plant, among other future cooperative businesses between the two countries. Finally, financial cooperative plans for both nations were explored in detail.

This year’s joint meeting was attended by over 60 interested parties from Korea, including Chairman Ohjoon Kwon; Hyunghwan Joo, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance; and Seungchul Lee, Vice President of the Federation of Korean Industries. Additionally, 65 personnel from Australia including Chairman Mark Vaile; Mike Baird, Premier of NSW; and John Walker, Chairman of Macquarie Group in Korea, attended the meeting.

Cloud Gate, Chicago

Known as “The Bean” for its shape, the Cloud Gate is made from 168 stainless steel plates welded together, and its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is one of the largest steel structures in the world and is one of Chicago’s main tourist attractions. Made to resemble a drop of mercury, the Cloud Gate reflects the Chicago skyline and mirrors the visitors that stand beneath the 12-foot arch.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1KRfaeY)

Sibelius Monument, Helsinki

Dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, this sculpture is made up of more than 600 stainless steel tubes, welded to resemble organ pipes. A smaller version of the monument is located at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The unconventional design inspired debate about the merits of abstract art.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1Wxpcub)

Unisphere, New York

One of the most iconic steel structures ever built is the Unisphere, which was commissioned to celebrate the beginning of the space age. It is a stainless steel representation of Earth, with three orbit rings representing the course of the first manned space missions. The Unisphere is a symbol of the world’s unification as it expanded into the universe.

Cones, Canberra

The Cones consists of seven polished stainless steel cones, stretching 20 meters in length. Like the Cloud Gate in Chicago, the Cones reflects the surrounding environment. Designed by one of Australia’s most accomplished sculptors, the Cones was commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, and represents the constant change of possibilities. The sculptor discovered steel after experimenting with a number of materials. Though it has a strong geometric design, the use of steel counterbalances that was a very precise and minimal effect.

(Image: http://bit.ly/1VriALc) 

Beijing National Stadium, Beijing

Beijing National Stadium is the world’s largest steel structure. Nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, this Olympic stadium looks more like a public work of art. The design originated from the study of Chinese ceramics, implementing steel beams to hide supports for the retractable roof, which was later removed. The stadium was designed for use during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and Paralympics. It is scheduled to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Amabel, Seoul

Located outside the Seoul HQ of POSCO, this large work of art was built to honor the passing of a daughter of the designer’s friend, who was onboard a plane that crashed. Named for the deceased, Amabel represents both the twisted metal of the plane and the delicate petals of a flower. It was later renamed Flowering Structure – Amabel.

POSCO has long celebrated the beauty of steel in contemporary design. Visitors can see examples of steel art at the POSCO Art Museum. Read more about how steel has progressed from a material of industry to one of art. From functional form to beautiful design, steel continues to inspire.

Košice, Slovakia: A Steel-Inspired Capital of Culture

As one of the oldest industrial hubs of Slovakia, steel production has played a vital role in the economy of the eastern city of Košice for quite some time. The main development of iron started in the 13^th century and the technology of steel production progressively improved until 1959 when a deed was signed for a modern metallurgy plant. Five decades later, the Košice mill has developed into a steel-producing plant that has managed to widely reach the markets and achieve a position among significant steel producers.

 Košice has since reforged itself into a city of the arts, and was designated “European Capital of Culture” in 2013, along with Marseille, France, for its efforts to transform dilapidated industrial structures into contemporary art galleries, performance theaters and independent culture centers. In addition to the city’s gorgeous Gothic architecture, it is also home to the renowned ice hockey team HC Košice that plays regularly at the Steel Aréna. (Image: http://bit.ly/1CjHtVM )

Visakhapatnam, India: Steelworks on the Sea

Often coined The Jewel of the East Coast, the port city of Visakhapatnam was identified as one of the fastest-growing in the world, economically and demographically, with steel playing an important role.

In the 1970s, Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, announced the government’s decision to establish a steel plant at Visakhapatnam. It has since become the only Indian shore-based steel plant and is situated on 33,000 acres, making the city a gateway for the development of the steel industry.

In addition to its flourishing economy, Visakhapatnam’s beaches, hilltop parks, caves and wildlife sanctuaries have helped the city become a significant tourist destination of natural beauty. Its serene temples, such as Simhachalam Temple, allow visitors to experience the spiritual side of India. (Image: http://bit.ly/1JR9l3k )

Pittsburgh, USA: The Original Steel City

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania became one of the most well-known steel cities in the world during the American Civil War, when the city’s economy was amplified by the increased production of iron and weaponry. By 1911, Pittsburgh was producing half of the nation’s steel, and during World War II, the city saw local mills operate 24 hours a day to produce 95 million tons of the metal.

Today, Pittsburgh may not produce as much as it did in its heyday, but the “Steel City” still boasts more than 300 steel-related businesses and visitors can even go on steel tours. Additionally, the city’s most visited attractions, such as the Carnegie Museum, founded by Andrew Carnegie, the most influential figure in the expansion of America’s steel industry, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, a stunning house that uses steel as a main building material, are a testament to the importance the metal still plays in this historical and cultural city. Sports fans shouldn’t miss out on a Steelers football game. (Image: http://bit.ly/1LPF7jt )

Newcastle, Australia: Surf & Steel

When military rule ended in 1823, the penal settlement that was originally Newcastle advanced into a pioneer town. The dawn of the 20^th century saw the city evolve into a site for steelworks, due to its abundance of coal. In 1915, a local steelworks opened, beginning a period of some 8 decades in which Newcastle’s fortunes were brought on by the steelworks and heavy industries. A deadly earthquake struck in 1989 and ten years later, the steelworks closed after 84 years of operation, having employed about 50,000 throughout its existence.

Creative repurposing has transformed the old and outdated to new and trendy, and art projects and festivals have allowed inner-city neighborhoods to prosper. It is along the sandy shores of “Best in Travel”-ranked Newcastle that bohemian culture meets surf culture and top-rated restaurants overlook an industrial port. Today, even as Newcastle embraces its rough-and-tumble industrial past, it is continuously looking to the future as a regional capital of creativity and cool.

Whether you’re traveling to the Australian coast or the cultural capital of Slovakia, these vacation destinations forged from steel and sweat have plenty to offer travelers seeking new experiences and wanting to explore unfamiliar lands. Safe travels this summer! (Image: http://bit.ly/1H6mPVJ )