POSCO group jointly hosted the second CSIRO-POSCO Critical Minerals Forum 2026 with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on August 21.

The forum focused on feedstock and raw material technologies needed for the transition to low-carbon ironmaking. In September 2025, POSCO group and CSIRO signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on low-carbon ironmaking and critical minerals processing technologies. In October of the same year, they held the first forum, which focused on lithium refining technologies.

This year’s forum brought together POSCO Holdings, POSCO and Pusan National University from Korea, as well as CSIRO, Curtin University and Swinburne University of Technology from Australia. The event was held in a hybrid format, connecting Pohang, Seoul and Gwangyang in Korea with Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia.

Participants shared the latest research findings through eight presentations on topics including the use of Australian iron ore for hydrogen-based reduction ironmaking and technologies for applying suitable feedstocks and raw materials. They also discussed differences in raw material requirements between conventional blast furnace operations and hydrogen-based reduction processes, the competitiveness of Australian iron ore for hydrogen-based reduction ironmaking, and ways to promote future Korea-Australia joint research.

“POSCO group is pursuing the transition to a low-carbon steel production system as a key priority, and research collaboration with Australia is essential to securing the feedstock technologies needed to support this transition. We will continue to work closely with Australia, which has abundant high-quality iron ore resources and world-class research capabilities,” said Dr. KIM Ki Soo, Head of POSCO N.EX.T Hub at POSCO Holdings.

“Building on Australia’s iron ore resources and research capabilities, CSIRO will work with POSCO to drive innovation in low-carbon ironmaking technologies. We hope this forum will serve as an opportunity to further advance technological cooperation between the two countries,” said Dr. Daniel Roberts, Research Director at CSIRO.

POSCO group plans to continue open collaboration with leading Australian research institutes and universities, including CSIRO, in low-carbon ironmaking and critical minerals, with the aim of strengthening its upstream technological competitiveness.

▲ The second Critical Minerals Forum was held in a hybrid format, connecting Pohang, Seoul and Gwangyang in Korea with Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. A view of the forum at POSCO Technical Research Laboratories in Pohang on August 21 (left) and the forum at CSIRO QCAT in Brisbane, Australia (right).

POSCO Investment makes its first overseas CVC investment in the low-carbon steel sector

On April 28, POSCO announced the signing of a joint development agreement with Electra of the United States to develop low-carbon ironmaking technology.

Founded in Colorado in 2020, Electra possesses proprietary technology that produces solid iron by removing impurities from iron ore through electrochemical reactions. The company is currently constructing a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 500 tons, aiming for operation within this year.

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to combine POSCO’s direct reduction technology with Electra’s low-carbon ironmaking system to jointly verify technical and economic feasibility for commercial production.

“POSCO brings deep experience in steelmaking, production technology and process development,” said Sandeep Nijhawan, Electra’s co‑founder and chief executive officer. “We’re building for the long term, and this partnership helps us scale thoughtfully as we bring clean iron to more customers.”

Eom Kyeong-geun, Head of POSCO Technical Research Laboratories, explained, “This partnership through the joint development agreement aims for strategic synergy between POSCO’s proprietary direct reduction and engineering technologies and Electra’s innovative electrochemical process.”

On the same day, POSCO Investment also announced a CVC investment agreement with Electra.

Kim Keun-hwan, President of POSCO Investment, stated, “This investment marks our first overseas strategic CVC investment in the decarbonized steel sector. It holds special significance as a climate-tech investment in preparation for the era of decarbonization.”

▲ POSCO and POSCO Investment sign a joint development and investment agreement with Electra to collaborate on technical validation for commercial production. (From left) Eom Kyeong-geun, Head of POSCO Technical Research Laboratories; Sandeep Nijhawan, CEO of Electra; and Kim Keun-hwan, President of POSCO Investment.