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).

Results improved quarter-on-quarter across all segments, including steel, secondary battery materials, and energy

POSCO-Argentina successfully turned profitable in Q2… POSCO Future M’s profitability recovered on cathode material inventory valuation gains and increased anode material sales

POSCO International posted a record quarterly operating profit on stronger lng and palm oil earnings… POSCO E&C maintained a solid trend through expanded orders in its building business

POSCO Holdings announced on July 30 consolidated results for the second quarter of 2026, posting sales of KRW 19.259 trillion, operating profit of KRW 819 billion, and net profit of KRW 761 billion.

Despite a worsening business environment caused by Middle East energy supply chain risks and a strong won trend, POSCO Holdings continued its improvement momentum, with consolidated sales and profit increasing since the fourth quarter of last year, led by a turnaround in the secondary battery materials segment and strong performance in the infrastructure business segment.

In the steel segment, POSCO slightly increased sales and operating profit quarter-on-quarter, supported by higher selling prices and sales volume despite rising raw material costs and oil prices.

In the secondary battery materials segment, POSCO Future M improved operating profit quarter-on-quarter thanks to cathode material inventory valuation gains and a recovery in sales volume of anode materials to major customers.

In addition, POSCO-Argentina achieved its first quarterly turnaround to profit through stabilized operations at its first salt-lake lithium plant and equipment improvements. In the second half of the year, the completion of the second plant is expected to increase initial operating costs, but the company plans to improve profitability through phased production increases and expanded sales.

POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution improved earnings through expanded sales and higher prices, while POSCO HY Clean Metal has been posting monthly profits since December 2025 thanks to high utilization and enhanced cost competitiveness.

In the infrastructure segment, POSCO International achieved its highest-ever quarterly operating profit, as profits from its Myanmar and Australian gas fields and Indonesia palm business all continued to grow. POSCO E&C defended profitability through improved earnings in its building business.

POSCO Holdings has also revised upward its restructuring targets under the corporate restructuring program implemented since 2024, raising the goal from completing 128 transactions by 2027 and generating KRW 2.8 trillion in cash to completing 129 transactions by 2028 and generating KRW 3.5 trillion in cash. In the first half of this year, POSCO Holdings secured about KRW 480 billion in cash through 12 restructuring transactions, bringing cumulative restructuring to 85 transactions and total cash generation to KRW 2.2 trillion.

Based on first-half achievements including a turnaround to profit in the lithium business, start-up of POSCO Gwangyang Works’ new electric arc furnace, and POSCO International’s record quarterly operating profit, POSCO Holdings plans to enhance profitability and pursue strategic investments in parallel, following its triple core strategy of industrial resources (steel), strategic resources (lithium, rare earths, rare gases, etc.), and energy resources (LNG, etc.), thereby continuing to grow corporate value.

With proven profitability and growth potential in the lithium sector, proactive investments will propel POSCO into a Global Top 5 lithium company by 2033.

For the steel sector, growth investments in promising overseas markets will begin in earnest, with returns reinvested into the domestic low-carbon transition.

The energy sector will contribute to national energy security by expanding LNG trading and entering the renewable energy market.

To resolve the holding company discount, the ownership stakes in listed operating subsidiaries will be optimized.

POSCO group announced a new future growth strategy aimed at restructuring its business portfolio around resources, extending beyond steel to include lithium and energy, thereby contributing to national industrial security and strengthening the supply chain.

On July 2, POSCO group hosted its ‘CEO Investor Day’, where it unveiled its vision to become a ‘Representative Supplier of Core Resources for the Nation’ by establishing a ‘Triple-core’ framework encompassing Industrial Resources (Steel), Strategic Resources (Lithium, Cathode and Anode Materials, Rare Earths, etc.), and Energy Resources (LNG, Renewable Energy).

Standing before investors, CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, emphasized, “At a time when external uncertainties are intensifying due to supply chain instability and the acceleration of the low-carbon transition, we must seize this moment to create new growth opportunities through bold innovations in our business portfolio.” He added, “By expanding our business domain from steel and materials into resources, we will lead the way in strengthening national industrial security and supply chains.” He also presented concrete targets of achieving consolidated revenue of KRW 187 trillion and operating profit of KRW 13.1 trillion by 2035.

Strategic resources, led by lithium, received the most attention. Investor interest was highly concentrated as the lithium business demonstrated tangible results and its growth potential became evident.

POSCO group unveiled a blueprint to establish an annual lithium production capacity of 173,000 tons by 2033, positioning itself as a Global Top 5 lithium company, while targeting operating profit of more than KRW 1.8 trillion from the lithium business by 2035..

Specifically, in the brine lithium business, POSCO Argentina turned profitable last March and recently secured approval under the Argentine government’s Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), which is expected to further strengthen its profitability. With the goal of achieving an annual brine lithium production capacity of 100,000 tons by 2033, the company will also accelerate Phase 3 and Phase 4 investments.

In the ore lithium business, a joint venture agreement with Australia’s Mineral Resources Limited has laid the foundation for expanding the refining business, securing more than 187,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually. This is also expected to generate stable annual revenue of approximately KRW 200 billion.

POSCO group also plans to foster rare earths, key minerals for the electric vehicle and robotics industries, as well as rare and specialty gases essential for advanced industries, as strategic resources. These businesses will serve as new growth engines while helping stabilize supply chains for the nation’s future industries. In the steel business, representing its Industrial Resources segment, the group will accelerate overseas growth investments to overcome stagnant domestic demand. By 2031, it plans to expand production capacity to 10 million tons in high-growth, high-profitability markets such as India, the United States, and Indonesia. Profits generated from these investments will be reinvested in Korea’s low-carbon transition, creating a virtuous cycle.

The energy resources business, now established as one of the group’s core businesses, will focus on securing both profitability and sustainability. In LNG, POSCO group will steadily execute expansion strategies across the value chain while expanding trading volumes in response to the recent increase in global cargo movements. In renewable energy, the group will actively enter Korea’s offshore wind market and overseas solar power markets, contributing to national energy security.

In the new business sector, POSCO group will promote the commercialization of Physical AI for process industries by leveraging its extensive on-site data and expertise in facility automation and intelligent operations accumulated through its steel business.

To accelerate the execution of this business portfolio transformation, POSCO group plans to invest KRW 16.7 trillion in future growth initiatives over the next three years (2026–2028).

Meanwhile, POSCO HOLDINGS plans to optimize its ownership stakes in listed subsidiaries to around 50% in order to address the persistent holding company discount in the market. The capital secured through this initiative will be invested primarily in strategic resource projects directly managed by POSCO HOLDINGS to support the group’s future growth. In addition, an amount equivalent to 10% of the proceeds from these transactions will be used for share buybacks and cancellations to maximize shareholder value.

Following the event in Korea, POSCO group will continue to enhance corporate value and strengthen investor communication by hosting consecutive CEO Investor Days in Singapore on July 6 and Hong Kong on July 8.

▲ CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, personally presents the group’s business portfolio strategy at the ‘CEO Investor Day’ held on July 2.

▲ CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, personally presents the group’s business portfolio strategy at the ‘CEO Investor Day’ held on July 2.

▲ CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, personally presents the group’s business portfolio strategy at the ‘CEO Investor Day’ held on July 2.

Applying proprietary DLE technology, aiming for operation by 2027 and completion of technology verification by 2028
Strengthening global resource supply chain competitiveness under the strategy of “technological superiority and securing high-quality resources”

POSCO Holdings is accelerating the strengthening of its competitiveness in next-generation lithium extraction technology by becoming the first Korean company to conduct a direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology demonstration in the U.S.

On June 10, POSCO Holdings signed a cooperation agreement with Anson Resources, an Australian resource development company, at the POSCO Center in Seoul to build and operate a DLE demonstration plant in the Green River region of Utah, U.S.

DLE is a technology that can economically produce lithium from low-concentration lithium brines. It is drawing significant attention as a next-generation core technology in the global lithium industry due to its higher recovery rate and shorter production period compared to traditional evaporation methods.

Under this cooperation agreement, POSCO Holdings will verify the commercial viability of the technology across the entire process of designing, constructing, and operating the DLE demo plant in the U.S. Anson Resources will provide the site, infrastructure, and brine, while handling the overall permitting process for plant construction using its local network.

POSCO Holdings has been developing DLE technology since 2016, accumulating expertise in process design and overall operations by conducting pilot tests on brines from various regions, including Argentine brines.

This demonstration is highly significant as it marks the first time POSCO Holdings is validating its independently developed DLE technology in the global market, serving as a crucial starting point to confirm the commercial viability of next-generation lithium production technology. Furthermore, by proving its technological capability to secure economic feasibility even from low-grade resources, POSCO Holdings is expected to further strengthen its technological edge in the global brine lithium development market. It is also anticipated to lay the groundwork for expanding its lithium business in North America and establish a stable lithium supply chain based on its proprietary technology.

POSCO Holdings aims to complete and operate the demo plant by 2027 and plans to establish a foundation for commercialization by completing technology verification using actual brine by 2028.

LEE Ju tae, President of POSCO Holdings, stated, “This demonstration is a strategic investment to preemptively secure next-generation technology and dominate the global lithium market. Based on our unrivaled technological competitiveness, we will further strengthen the competitiveness of our global lithium business, including in North America.”

Meanwhile, POSCO Holdings is pursuing “preemptive acquisition of high-quality resources” along with “absolute technological superiority” as the group’s core growth strategies. By combining the acquisition of premier resources, such as Argentine lithium brines and Australian mines, with the development of next-generation lithium production technologies, the company plans to lead the realization of “Sojae-Boguk” (contributing to national development through materials) by strengthening its competitiveness in the global resource supply chain.

▲ POSCO Holdings signed a cooperation agreement with Anson Resources on June 10 at the POSCO Center in Seoul for the construction and operation of a direct lithium extraction (DLE) demonstration plant in the Green River area of Utah, U.S.
(From left) POSCO Holdings’ LEE Dae gyun, Senior Manager; LEE Sung won, Head of the Energy Materials Business Development Office; and LEE Ju tae, President; Anson Resources’ Bruce Richardson, CEO; Tim Murray, Director; and Mathew Beattie, CFO.

CHANG In Hwa  CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, shared the POSCO decarbonization roadmap and emphasized solidarity to secure market value for low-carbon steel

POSCO honored as a ‘Sustainability Champion’ for 5 consecutive years… proving global ESG leadership

CHANG In Hwa CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, attended the regular meeting of the World Steel Association (worldsteel) held in Berlin, Germany, to emphasize the critical importance of global cooperation in the transition to decarbonization.

On the 13th (local time), CEO CHANG participated in the Executive Committee meeting, the highest decision-making body of worldsteel, representing the Korean steel industry. The meeting brought together CEOs from global steel giants—including China Baowu Steel Group, Nippon Steel, and India’s JSW—to engage in in-depth discussions on key mid-to-long-term challenges, such as responding to the energy crisis, the industrial impact of geopolitical risks, and the international standardization of carbon emission measurement.

During the session, he highlighted that the ‘decarbonization transition’ is a collective imperative for the steel industry, even amidst structural headwinds like slowing demand and rising energy costs. CEO CHANG took the opportunity to share the POSCO decarbonization roadmap with global peers.

“Close cooperation and solidarity across the global steel industry are essential for a successful decarbonization transition and for ensuring that low-carbon steel products are recognized for their fair value in the market,” he stated.

Following the meeting, CEO CHANG held a series of bilateral discussions with industry leaders, including Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group (India), and Liu Jian, Chairman of HBIS Group (China). He exchanged views on core issues such as overseas steel investment, carbon reduction technology, and supply chain stabilization, exploring new business opportunities to secure future growth engines for the group.

The visit also yielded significant recognition. At the member meeting held the following day, CEO CHANG accepted the ‘Sustainability Champion’ plaque on behalf of POSCO. This certification is awarded by worldsteel to companies that lead the sustainable development of the steel industry. By being selected for five consecutive years since 2022, POSCO has once again solidified its position as a global leader in ESG management.

▲ On the 14th (Berlin local time), POSCO was named a ‘Sustainability Champion’ by worldsteel. From the left: CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, and Uğur Dalbeler, Chairman of worldsteel and Chairman of Çolakoğlu Metalurji A.Ş. (Türkiye).

YOO Jin Nyeong  appointed as Chair of the Board; KIM Joo yeon  appointed as new Outside Director; KIM Jun Gi Kim reappointed as Audit Committee member

JUNG Seok Mo appointed as new Inside Director; Lee Hee geun  appointed as Non-Executive Director; LEE Ju Tae  and KIM Ki Soo reappointed as Inside Directors

Annual dividend for FY2025 confirmed at KRW 10,000 per share; shareholder value enhancement commitment fulfilled through 2% treasury share cancellation, achieving the three-year 6% target

POSCO Holdings held its 58th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders and a board meeting on March 24 at POSCO Center in Seoul, where key agenda items were approved.

In his opening remarks, CHANG In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, stated, “Despite challenging external conditions last year, including the expansion of global protectionism and an industrial slowdown, we strengthened the foundation for growth in our ‘2 Core’ businesses of steel and secondary battery materials.”

CEO CHANG added, “We will make 2026 a true inflection point for delivering tangible results,” outlining key initiatives for the year ahead: securing profitability through steel joint ventures in North America and India; realizing the outcomes of investments in secondary battery materials through the commencement of commercial lithium production in Argentina and earnings contributions from lithium mining operations in Australia; and expanding the value chain of infrastructure businesses, including energy and food.

He also emphasized that safety is a fundamental prerequisite for growth, highlighting the importance of establishing a worker-centered safety culture and building a safer and more efficient operational environment through the integration of AI and robotics.

All agenda items related to the appointment of directors were approved at the shareholder’s meeting. Kim Joo Yeon , former Vice President for Japan and Korea at P&G and a global marketing and management expert, was appointed as a new outside director. Jun-gi Kim, whose term as outside director had expired, was reappointed as a member of the Audit Committee.

JUNG Seok Mo , Head of the Business Synergy Division, was newly appointed as an inside director. LEE Ju Tae, Head of the Corporate Strategy Division, and KIM Ki Soo , Head of POSCO N.EX.T Hub, were reappointed as inside directors. LEE Hee Geun , President and CEO of POSCO, was appointed as a non-executive director.

At the subsequent board meeting, outside director Jin-nyeong Yoo was appointed as Chair of the Board. Chair Yoo is a leading expert in advanced materials and secondary battery technologies, having previously served as Chief Technology Officer of LG Chem.

At the shareholder’s meeting, shareholders also approved the FY2025 financial statements, partial amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, and the cap on director remuneration. In addition, a year-end dividend of KRW 2,500 per share was approved, bringing the total annual dividend to KRW 10,000 per share. The Company also received approval to cancel treasury shares equivalent to 2% of total issued shares (approximately KRW 635.1 billion), thereby fulfilling its commitment to enhance shareholder value under the previously announced plan to cancel a total of 6% of treasury shares over three years (announced in July 2024).

▲POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa presides over the 58th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of POSCO Holdings.

Comprehensive review of cooperation with local steelmakers, stable material supply for Korean companies operating locally, and global expansion strategies for energy business

POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa will preside over the Southeast Asia regional strategy meeting in Singapore on the 25th to review the complete localization execution strategies for the steel business.

This meeting was convened to strengthen regional business competitiveness and accelerate overseas growth strategies by establishing a complete localization operational system for overseas steel subsidiaries, amid growing uncertainties in the external business environment such as intensified global protectionism and slowing demand.

CEO CHANG, together with heads of key subsidiaries in the region, will review this year’s business plans and safety management policies, and focus discussions on the direction and execution tasks for advancing the supply chain of overseas subsidiaries.

In particular, the meeting will concretize execution plans for overseas growth strategies encompassing both steel and energy businesses, including:

• Expanding cooperation with local steelmakers in the region
• Establishing a stable material supply system for Korean companies operating locally
• Creating synergies between subsidiaries
• Expanding regional logistics hubs and improving operational efficiency
• Reviewing key issues of the Singapore LNG trading subsidiary established last year

Southeast Asia is a strategic market with high growth potential in downstream industries such as automobiles, home appliances, and construction. POSCO Group plans to systematically promote tailored growth strategies for each region by building a complete localization supply chain system based on its global business network.

POSCO group has established production, processing, and distribution systems in the Southeast Asia region centered on key local subsidiaries, including PT. Krakatau POSCO in Indonesia, POSCO Yamato Vina, POSCO-Vietnam, POSCO-VST in Vietnam, POSCO-TCS and POSCO-Thainox in Thailand, and POSCO-Malaysia in Malaysia. Based on this, the Group is pursuing customer-focused sales strategies and expanding high value-added products, while continuously strengthening integrated regional competitiveness from raw material procurement to steel production and sales.

Meanwhile, CEO CHANG emphasized at the first group management meeting of the year in January, “We must materialize the fruits of future growth investments based on execution capabilities in times of crisis.” The Southeast Asia regional strategy meeting is part of efforts to further enhance the execution of overseas growth strategies in line with this management policy.

Focus to deliver the steel “complete localization strategy” and tangible profits in secondary battery materials… positioning the energy business as the “Next Core”

Defined AI as a key driver that will shape the Group’s future… accelerating AX across all areas from manufacturing to office work

POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa presented “overwhelming execution” and “creating results” as the Group’s key management themes for this year. It reflects his determination to deliver visible outcomes from future investments through bold structural transformation amid a complex crisis—and to prove those outcomes in “numbers.”

On Jan. 29, POSCO Group held its first Group management meeting of the year, chaired by POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa In-hwa, to review the Group’s business plans and major pending issues. The meeting focused on strategic measures to strengthen fundamental competitiveness by business segment and to deliver a clear performance rebound by proving management results in quantitative terms.

At the meeting, CEO CHANG cited the challenging environment—including intensifying global trade barriers and prolonged low growth—and emphasized, “To break through stagnation, we must boldly reshape the Group’s fundamentals with ‘profitability’ at the center.” He also reiterated that the Group will shift into a high-intensity emergency management mode to restore market confidence by delivering overwhelming results that exceed its management targets.

First, in the steel business, POSCO group will reinforce a stable profit structure through structural cost innovation and expanded sales of high value-added products. This year, it will accelerate the transition to decarbonization by commencing construction of a hydrogen reduction steelmaking demo plant and completing the Gwangyang electric arc furnace, while fully rolling out the “complete localization strategy” in global markets. To that end, the Group plans to steadily advance the Louisiana steel mill project in the U.S., cooperation with Cleveland-Cliffs, and the establishment of a joint venture for an integrated steel mill in India.

For growth businesses such as secondary battery materials and infrastructure, POSCO group will leverage favorable market conditions—such as a strong exchange-rate environment and firmer lithium prices—as strategic opportunities to accelerate clear and visible profit creation compared with last year. In secondary battery materials, the Group will fully begin commercial lithium production at POSCO-Argentina and complete the acquisition of an equity stake in a lithium mine with Mineral Resources in Australia, thereby converting its investments to date into meaningful earnings and driving tangible performance improvement.

In particular, Chairman Chang stressed that the energy business must establish itself as the Group’s “Next Core,” connecting steel and secondary battery materials. To achieve this, he said POSCO group will continue investments to expand LNG production capacity and strengthen global trading capabilities, thereby expanding the energy business’ role as a core profit engine for the Group.

In addition, safety management innovation and faster AX (AI Transformation) were presented as key tasks for reshaping the Group’s fundamentals. Chairman Chang defined AI as a key driver that will determine the Group’s future, and said the Group will maximize enterprise-wide efficiency by adopting AI in manufacturing sites to secure a super-gap technology edge and by expanding AI adoption across office functions.

Closing the meeting, CEO CHANG said, “POSCO’s strength is finding opportunity even in a crisis and making a leap forward,” underscoring that this year will be the most critical one for the Group. He also reaffirmed, “With meticulous planning and overwhelming execution, we must turn future growth investments into concrete outcomes,” adding, “Let’s make this a year in which we clearly prove the Group’s fundamental competitiveness in numbers.”

Meanwhile, the quarterly POSCO group management meeting is a forum to review the Group’s mid- to long-term strategy and key issues. The meeting was attended by POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa and other Group executives, including CEOs of major business companies.

▲POSCO HOLDINGS CEO CHANG In Hwa chairs the Group Technology Strategy Meeting held in March 2025.

Steel and LNG-centered energy businesses maintained profitability, offsetting temporary losses from major plant repairs and construction projects in Q4

This year’s investment achievements include overseas steel joint ventures and lithium mine equity acquisitions; commercial lithium production expected to drive profit rebound

73 restructuring cases completed, generating KRW 1.8 trillion in cash; additional 55 cases planned by 2028 to generate KRW 1 trillion for growth investments

POSCO Holdings announced its 2025 consolidated results, reporting sales of KRW 69.095 trillion, operating profit of KRW 1.827 trillion, and net profit of KRW 504 billion.

Despite a global economic slowdown and heightened protectionism, POSCO Holdings defended short-term profitability by leveraging solid earnings from its steel and LNG businesses, offsetting initial operating costs in the secondary battery materials segment and one-off losses in the infrastructure segment.

In particular, the company secured a long-term growth foundation through domestic and overseas steel investments and lithium mine acquisitions. This year, POSCO Holdings expects tangible results from overseas steel expansion, the commencement of commercial lithium production amid a recovering lithium price trend, resolution of one-off loss factors, and restructuring of loss-making subsidiaries.

[Steel segment]
On a separate basis, POSCO’s steel sales fell 6.8% year-on-year to KRW 35.011 trillion. However, structural cost innovations such as maximizing energy efficiency improved profitability, with operating profit rising 20.8% year-on-year to KRW 1.78 trillion, marking a successful rebound.

Although Q4 saw a temporary drop in production and sales due to rising raw material costs and major plant repairs, higher sales prices compared to the previous quarter helped defend profitability.

[Secondary battery materials segment]
POSCO Future M maintained profitability at the previous year’s level despite weak lithium prices. Newly completed plants, such as POSCO Argentina, began commercial production at the end of 2024, with initial operating costs reflected upfront, leading to a temporary decline in consolidated operating profit. The company plans to quickly offset these factors as operations stabilize.

[Infrastructure segment]
POSCO International maintained solid earnings by expanding its value chain through LNG production increases at Australia’s Senex Energy and acquiring an Indonesian palm company. POSCO E&C, despite increased plant orders, saw its losses widen due to one-off costs from construction suspensions.

POSCO Holdings noted that the temporary low point in Q4—caused by major plant repairs, costs from selling loss-making subsidiaries, and one-off construction losses—has passed. The company expects an upward trend in profits this year, driven by solid steel and LNG earnings and the start of commercial lithium production.

[Key management plans for 2026]
POSCO Holdings will execute major domestic and overseas investment plans and restructure low-profit/non-core assets to directly link them to profits.

• Steel segment: Strengthen specialized competitiveness at Pohang Works (energy steel) and Gwangyang Works (mobility steel), accelerate decarbonization with the start of construction on the hydrogen reduction steelmaking demo plant, and steadily advance overseas joint projects under the “complete localization strategy.”

• Secondary battery materials segment: Begin profitability improvement with the start of commercial lithium production in Argentina; Australia’s lithium mine equity acquisition will contribute to earnings immediately from the second half of the year.

• Infrastructure segment: Strengthen the energy value chain through LNG production expansion at Senex Energy in Australia and the acquisition of an Indonesian palm company, generating continuous additional profits.

[Restructuring plan]
POSCO Holdings will extend the restructuring of low-profit/non-core assets, initiated in 2024, through 2028, aiming to generate a total of KRW 2.8 trillion in cash to fund growth investments.

• Status: 73 cases completed by 2025, generating KRW 1.8 trillion in cash
• Plan: 55 additional cases from 2026 to 2028, generating KRW 1 trillion in cash

Highly rated for HyREX (hydrogen reduction steelmaking) technology and stakeholder communication.

POSCO Holdings has been named a “Top Performer” after ranking 4th globally in the Just Transition Benchmark assessed by the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA), a global sustainability evaluation organization.

The WBA is a non-profit foundation launched at the 2018 UN General Assembly. It selects 2,000 most influential companies each year to evaluate their contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s the 2,000 most influential companies list includes 50 Korean companies, including POSCO Holdings.

In this assessment, POSCO Holdings ranked 4th out of over 1,600 global companies in the Just Transition Benchmark, while simultaneously securing 1st place both globally and in Korea within the Steel and Mining sector. The company also demonstrated its ESG leadership in the Nature Benchmark, ranking 87th globally, 16th in the Steel and Mining sector, and 1st in Korea.

The recognition as a “Top Performer” in the Just Transition is a direct result of the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions through its “HyREX” (hydrogen reduction steelmaking) technology and its successful communication with stakeholders. POSCO Holdings scored 75 out of 100 in the Just Transition Benchmark, placing it in the top five global companies.

In recognition of these achievements, POSCO Holdings attended the WBA event held during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where it shared sustainability cases with other top-tier global companies. The company further strengthened international cooperation by discussing decarbonization alternatives.

▲POSCO Holdings ranked 4th globally in the WBA’s Just Transition Benchmark and was named a Top Performer. (Source: WBA Website).

POSCO Holdings received high ratings from various global ESG rating agencies last year. In the assessment published by MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International), the company maintained an overall grade A for three consecutive years. Additionally, it received a risk score of 23.3 (medium risk) from Sustainalytics, placing its management capabilities in the top 4% of global steelmakers.