Jeong-hu Hong, Lead Researcher Today, secondary battery materials are drawing attention as key drivers of future industries such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Among them, cathode materials are especially important, accounting for more than 35% of the total cost of the four major battery components—cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator. This is because cathode materials determine not only a battery’s capacity and output but also its ability to store and release electrical energy.
At the Cathode Material Development Group, POSCO Future M Technology Research Institute, we conduct research on cathode materials, the core of EV batteries, and develop new technologies to bring them into commercial use.

Do-hyeop Park, Principal Researcher Cathode materials can be simply defined as a “source of lithium.” They are produced by combining lithium with precursors made of various metals such as cobalt, manganese, and nickel. The battery’s name, performance, and stability all depend on which metals are used. Batteries such as Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO), Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), and Lithium Manganese Rich (LMR), among many others using different metal combinations, are currently being developed. Our team, in particular, focuses on the development of LMR cathode materials. Recently, General Motors (GM) and Ford announced plans to launch electric vehicles using LMR batteries in 2028 and 2030, respectively, drawing significant attention to LMR in the global automotive market. Our team is fully committed to advancing LMR batteries, which are poised to become game-changers in the electric vehicle industry.

Gwang-eun Jeong, Principal Researcher Among the lithium-ion batteries currently used in electric vehicles, LFP batteries are the most widely adopted. These batteries are predominantly developed technologically by China. While these are highly stable and cost-effective, their energy density is somewhat limited. For instance, at -10°C, their performance drops to only 60–70% of full capacity. To overcome these limitations, a newly developed LMR battery has been introduced. LMR batteries significantly reduce the use of costly cobalt and nickel, while increasing the proportion of more affordable manganese. With higher energy density than LFP, they enable greater battery capacity and performance, significantly extending the driving range of electric vehicles. Moreover, unlike LFP batteries, which are difficult to recycle, LMR batteries offer superior recyclability and high lithium recovery rates.

Jeong-hu Hong, Lead Researcher The LMR battery demonstrates outstanding competitiveness not only in terms of cost and performance but also in sustainability. Of course, despite its many advantages, there are challenges that must be addressed before mass production can be realized. To prevent performance degradation, various technological advancements are required, including maintaining stable average voltages and developing surface coating techniques for cathode materials to suppress unnecessary gas generation. In China, a large-scale LFP mass production system is already in place, making a swift transition to LMR production challenging. As a result, innovative research and development are even more crucial. Our team, after an intricate R&D process, has successfully completed the development of LMR cathode materials and is now focusing on establishing techniques for mass production.

Do-hyeop Park, Principal Researcher We divided the R&D process into laboratory and pilot production stages. In the laboratory stage, we rapidly and accurately explored the basic characteristics and optimal combinations of cathode materials under specific process conditions. Through creativity and experimentation, we successfully identified the best material combinations, reducing costs while enhancing the performance of LMR cathode materials.

Ju-hyeon Yang, Principal Researcher As Do-hyeop Park mentioned, cathode production involves a calcination process, where various metal precursors such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminum are combined with lithium sources at high temperatures. During this process, we selected a variety of precursor candidates, evaluated their key physical properties, and identified the most promising materials for experimental application. By applying accumulated technical knowledge and analyzing the effects of variables throughout the development process, we successfully optimized LMR cathode materials, evaluating their initial battery capacities and lifespans. Through continuous refinement of material design, process conditions, and experimental testing, we were also able to assess the feasibility of mass production.

Jin-eun Kim, Principal Researcher This is not the end. Even if promising results are achieved in the laboratory, the performance of the developed cathode material may not be fully realized under conditions similar to those of mass production. Therefore, during the pilot stage, we adjusted loading amounts, production volumes, and sintering furnace conditions on lines that closely resemble actual mass production, repeatedly experimenting to identify the optimal production conditions.

Ji-su Kim, Principal Researcher In the laboratory stage, cathode materials can be sintered in quantities of 100 to 200 grams; however, customers occasionally request samples ranging from kilograms to tons. This means that during the pilot stage, cathode materials must be produced stably at the same performance level as those from the laboratory to allow customers to properly verify mass production feasibility. From our perspective, securing the optimal conditions for cathode material production made this stage particularly important.

Jeong-hu Hong, Lead Researcher Together with our team members, we conducted full-scale R&D to enhance the safety of the LMR process. Pilot lines require meticulous adjustment of conditions, as even slight process changes can significantly impact cathode performance. By repeatedly verifying various conditions and applying laboratory-designed firing processes to actual equipment, we achieved stable pilot production of cathodes with performance comparable to that secured in the laboratory, passing customer evaluations and finalizing the technology. Thanks to this work, we were able to secure optimal pre-mass production conditions and improve economic efficiency.

Gwang-eun Jeong, Principal Researcher I remember being quite flustered when we received a request from a customer to deliver pilot samples within just ten days. We had to simultaneously respond to the customer and optimize the material. In that situation, I decided to stay calm and divide roles among the team: I communicated with the customer to gather requirements, while Do-hyeop Park focused on optimizing experimental conditions. Thanks to everyone diligently working in their respective roles, we successfully met the customer’s requested delivery date and ensured proper material quality.

Do-hyeop Park, Principal Researcher At that time, with very little time remaining until the pilot sample delivery, it was challenging not only to produce samples but also to refine the material simultaneously. That’s when Gwang-eun Jeong, our team’s “maestro,” who perfectly coordinates our efforts, efficiently allocated roles. Thanks to this, we managed to produce the samples on time without any issues. It would have been impossible to accomplish this alone.

Jin-eun Kim, Principal Researcher There were moments during the pilot phase when performance fell short of expectations. Although the goals had been achieved in the lab, results in the pilot phase differed significantly, which was perplexing. We then collaborated to meticulously review each process step by step to identify the cause. By theoretically analyzing with Jeong-hu Hong and conducting repeated experiments with adjusted mixing times and sequences, we observed remarkable improvements in performance!

Jeong-hu Hong, Lead Researcher Currently, the global battery market’s core materials and component supply chains remain heavily concentrated in China, making the establishment of independent supply chains a critical task. Our foremost goal is to successfully commercialize LMR batteries with a stable supply chain and robust technical expertise. Moving forward, we plan to actively pursue research and development to create better batteries across multiple aspects, including enhancing material stability, securing cost competitiveness, and improving charge/discharge performance. To achieve this, I will collaborate closely with relevant departments such as production, quality, and sales. Ultimately, our team aims to join forces to successfully mass-produce LMR, a next-generation battery material, and become a future growth engine for the POSCO Group!

Data-driven prediction and anomaly detection models expected to improve reliability and performance of next-gen battery materials

POSCO Holdings’ Future Technology Research Institute has successfully identified the causes of performance degradation and the reaction mechanisms of LMR (Lithium-Manganese-Rich) cathode materials, recognized as a key component of next-generation secondary batteries, through data-driven analysis. The results of this study were published in Issue 18 of Energy & Environmental Science, a globally renowned journal in the field of energy and environment, on May 7, 2025.

LMR cathode materials are next-generation battery components designed to reduce the use of expensive cobalt and nickel by incorporating abundant and low-cost manganese, thereby enhancing cost competitiveness. These materials boast an energy density that is 33% higher than that of conventional LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries. As a result, they are expected to not only extend the driving range of electric vehicles but also offer significant value in post-use recycling. With global automakers such as GM and Ford formally adopting LMR batteries, the market expansion is progressing rapidly．

However, LMR batteries have faced commercialization challenges due to voltage drop during charge and discharge cycles, which leads to performance degradation. To address this issue, researchers at the Future Technology Research Institute analyzed over 30,000 battery charge datasets using AI, integrating them with various experimental data to identify the degradation causes and underlying reaction mechanisms of LMR materials. In particular, they applied dimensionality reduction techniques to pinpoint key factors affecting battery performance and linked these to observable phenomena such as manganese transformation and increased electrical resistance.

The data-driven model developed through this study serves as a crucial tool for predicting the performance of LMR batteries in advance and detecting anomalies at an early stage. It is expected to significantly enhance the reliability and safety of electric vehicle batteries in the future.

Building on the outcomes of this research, POSCO Holdings presented studies on the application of machine learning for battery material design and performance enhancement, as well as microstructure-based material optimization, at the Korean Institute of Metals and Materials and the AI4AM international conference in April. Further, the company is scheduled to present its AI-driven battery materials research at the Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers in October, and the latest research findings published on arXiv will be released soon.

Sang-cheol Nam, Head of the LIB Materials Research Center at the Future Technology Research Institute, stated, “We plan to continuously expand research that integrates AI with experimental data to drive the development of high-performance, high-reliability secondary battery materials.” He added, “By reinforcing data-driven analysis not only for LMR cathode materials but also for a wide range of battery materials, we aim to strengthen our competitiveness in the global battery market.”

In an interview, Research Director Jeong-jin Hong stated, “POSCO Holdings is continuously pursuing technological innovation across next-generation battery and energy materials through collaboration not only with various group affiliates such as POSCO Future M, but also through partnerships with external companies.” He added, “By integrating energy materials research with AI, we are leading advancements not only in battery technology but across a broad spectrum of energy-related fields, and we are actively sharing these research outcomes with both industry and academia.” He emphasized, “We will continue to expand collaboration and research across various domains to further strengthen our competitiveness in the global battery market.”

▲ Conceptual diagram of the AI-based degradation mechanism analysis and prediction model for LMR cathode materials developed by POSCO’s Future Technology Research Institute.

▲ Leading researchers: (From left) Dr. In-chul Park and Dr. Ji-eun Kim of POSCO Holdings, and Researcher In-jun Choi of RIST.

Set to be a game-changer in entry-level and standard EV markets being encroached by LFP… GM and Ford successively announce official adoption of LMR batteries

33% higher energy density compared to LFP provides driving range advantage, with high post-use recycling value expected to rapidly replace the market

Feasible to utilize existing NCM cathode material production facilities, enabling rapid market entry

POSCO Future M has completed the development of LMR (Lithium Manganese Rich) cathode materials, which will serve as a game-changer in the entry-level and standard electric vehicle markets, and is now moving forward with securing mass production technology.

Global automakers have recently been drawing market attention by successively announcing plans to launch electric vehicles equipped with LMR batteries. On the 13th, GM officially announced that it would launch electric vehicles using LMR batteries starting in 2028. Ford also revealed plans for LMR battery commercialization before 2030 and disclosed that it is currently conducting pilot production of second-generation LMR batteries.

LMR batteries are rapidly emerging as next-generation batteries as they can compete on price with LFP batteries that Chinese battery companies are primarily producing while offering superior performance.

LMR batteries can enhance price competitiveness by significantly reducing the expensive use of cobalt and nickel, while increasing the use of inexpensive manganese. Considering that LFP batteries are difficult to recycle, LMR batteries with high lithium recovery rates can have economic advantages as well.

Additionally, they can achieve 33% higher energy density compared to LFP batteries, securing greater capacity, and are expected to rapidly replace LFP market.

Recognizing these advantages, POSCO Future M selected LMR cathode materials as a new flagship product that will be a game-changer in the entry-level and standard electric vehicle markets. The company has been jointly developing commercialization technology with global automakers and battery companies since 2023.

POSCO Future M’s Technology Research Institute consolidated research capabilities with POSCO Holdings’ POSCO N.EX.T Hub, which oversees POSCO Group R&D, and achieved successful pilot production last year through continuous improvements in energy density, charge-discharge performance, and stability. The company plans to secure mass production technology within this year and actively pursue large-scale contract orders.

Recently, the company took a significant step toward mass production readiness by obtaining approval after conducting due diligence in the areas of equipment operation, safety, and the environment, as required for LMR production at the request of customers. POSCO Future M plans to establish mass production capabilities by utilizing existing NCM cathode material production lines without large-scale new investments, enabling timely product supply according to customer requests.

Young-jun Hong, Director of POSCO Future M’s Technology Research Institute, stated, “LMR cathode materials have long been recognized for their potential but faced commercialization difficulties in terms of cycleability, and we have made significant progress through research and development,” adding, “Based on solid trust relationships, we are on the verge of launching products that combine affordable prices with high energy density through collaboration with customers.”

Following this LMR cathode material development, POSCO Future M plans to expand its LMR product portfolio from entry-level and standard to premium and large EV markets by developing next-generation LMR cathode materials with further enhanced energy capacity in collaboration with POSCO Holdings’ POSCO N.EX.T Hub.

▲POSCO Future M researcher is testing the production of LMR cathode material products at Sejong Institute’s pilot plant.