POSCO began research & development for this technology in 2013 and invested a total of KRW 55 billion. After POSCO Technical Research Laboratories completed the initial testing, the equipment was transferred over to the Plate Rolling Department at Gwangyang Works for production.

Normally, high manganese is produced by melting solid manganese iron. When the solid manganese alloy iron is injected into a converter (a large container for storing molten iron), the temperature of the molten iron is lowered and then increased again. This leads to additional energy costs and extends the process time. In addition, with this process, refractories in the converter start to wear away as manganese oxide is generated in the process of melting.

To make this process more efficient, POSCO built PosLM (POSCO Liquid Manganese), its own special facility that is capable of storing molten manganese iron.

POSCO has already applied its own high-manganese steel in the oil sand slurry pipes for ExxonMobil, the world’s largest oil company. Also, because of its excellent durability, POSCO also plans to apply its high manganese steel to the inner parts of industrial power transformers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks.

From planning to production, the successful development of the high manganese steel production technology came about as a joint collaboration between POSCO Technical Research Laboratories, steel mills, and POSCO M-tech, the company’s material development unit. This technology received the Innovation Award at the 2016 POSCO Family Technology Awards.

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POSCO’s overseas employees participate in POSCO’s Global Mobility Program that includes seminars on Solution Marketing, POSTIM, POSCO’s values & culture, and a chance to get hands-on experience at the steelworks.

This year, the training took place from March 6 to 17 with nine employees from the following affiliates:

• POSCO-CSPC (China)
• Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. (China)
• Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. (China)
• PT.KP (Indonesia)
• POSCO-Vietnam
• POSCO-TBPC (Thailand)
• POSCO-ICPC (India)
• PT Krakatau POSCO
• POSCO America

GMP participants just completed their two-week training program last week, which included on-site training and seminars on POSCO’s values, culture, and working systems. For the first week, participants learned about POSCO’s history along with different aspects of Korean language and culture. During the second week, there was a lecture on the work phases of a steel mill and participants visited the steelworks for a fuller understanding of the steel production process.

This year, POSCO made more of an effort to include material that would help participants have a greater understanding of POSCO’s management policies, such as solution marketing and POSTIM.  Additionally, participants were able to share their own unique work experiences and learn more about how POSCO operates around the world.

Participants continued their training, working with different departments. These included the Human Resources & Labor Relations Group of Gwangyang Works, the Plate Rolling Department, the Automotive Flat Products Exports Group, and POSCO Group University.

Through the GMP, POSCO Group University hopes to steadily foster the growth of future management leaders and experts with POSCO’s innovative DNA. The second training will be conducted in June.

The Steel Wire recently sat down with three GMP participants from POSCO China. Read their interview and find out more about the program and how it will impact their work in China. 

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