There is a shocking amount of garbage and waste in the world’s oceans, and it has gone unchecked for far too long. Ocean currents have drawn these floating garbage patches together into distinct regions, and, according to the National Geographic, one in the Pacific covers an area larger than Mexico.

The world’s largest garbage dump is found in the world’s oceans. (Source: Stem Jobs)

Individuals, governments, and companies are heeding the call of oceanographers and other scientists and realizing more and more that a healthy ocean is vital to humanity’s survival. Many organizations are working to protect this natural resource by implementing sustainable, responsible practices to help clean up the oceans.

The State of the Ocean Today

Plastic is a major problem for the ocean. It breaks down into microparticles, which are nearly impossible to clean up. Places like Henderson Island, in the South Pacific region, are covered in tens of millions of pieces of trash.

Animals like seabirds consume the plastic at alarming rates: it is found in 90 percent of seabirds, according to Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. The study also says that plastic production is rapidly increasing, and so are the rates of ingestion by seabirds.

A bird eating plastic on the beach. (Source: Science Mag)

Plastic is not the only problem. Oil, fertilizers, sewage disposal, and chemical usage on land is affecting the oceans and killing marine ecosystems. The US National Research Council says 36 percent of the oil in the oceans come from city and industry waste and runoff.

Fertilizers are entering the ocean in much the same way. Even though there are many global restrictions on sewage and chemical dumping, it still happens. The oceans are in rough shape, and these issues are only going to get worse if people, companies, organizations and governments do not take action.

However, there are factors to consider before plunging in.

Cleaning Up Done Right

If ocean cleanup is not done properly, it can negatively impact marine ecosystems. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) Rigs to Reef program found that fish and marine life were using oil and gas platforms as habitat, and when these rigs were decommissioned and removed, it harmed and disrupted the ecosystem.

Rigs to Reefs helped to transform oil and gas platforms so that they could actually offer a benefit to marine ecosystems. It now encourages the use of obsolete platforms as artificial reef material – as long as they meet strict requirements. With BSEE’s program, various marine species can adapt to and enjoy the artificial reefs as shelters and breeding grounds.

An artificial reef made of old industrial infrastructure. (Source: Rigs to Reef)

Other companies and groups are also taking action. For example, The Ocean Cleanup is a group focused on using the ocean’s natural currents for cleanup, and financing the project through philanthropic, commercial, and governmental donations and sponsorships.

POSCO’s Triton Project

POSCO is another company committed to sustainable, responsible practices when it comes to the environment, including the oceans. One of their major innovations, the Triton project has a direct, positive impact on the marine ecosystem of Korea’s South Sea and East Sea.

In conjunction with the Research Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) and the Korean government, POSCO has installed 510 artificial fish reefs made of “Triton” steel slag, made of  by-products of the iron and steelmaking processes. Triton is eco-friendly and low in carbon, and adds additional value to the steel manufacturing process by using up its wastes.

POSCO uses by-products from steel production to make Triton. (Source: Diproinduca)

Even better, Triton is naturally made with high percentages of iron and calcium, which work to create the ideal conditions for seaweed and algae spore growth, and purifies contaminated sediment. These reefs can also help reef populations migrate to cooler waters.

Triton reefs create a very healthy environment for marine life, and have helped to restore sea forests wherever they are installed. The sea plants that are thriving with Triton are decreasing carbon dioxide and creating a healthier ocean. Aside from the environment, the economies of surrounding countries are reaping the benefits. The commercial fishing industry is one of the first industries to benefit from a more robust local fish population.

An example of an artificial reef used to support plant growth

POSCO intends to continue building on the success of Triton, forging cooperative relationships to construct fishery resources. The next coral reef forest restoration is planned for Indonesia, and POSCO will continue to protect marine life globally.

Cleaning up the oceans is one of the greatest global environmental responsibilities of humanity. POSCO is one company leading the efforts to restore the environment through transformative technologies that take what was once considered waste and using it to create spaces that nurture life.

Cover photo courtesy of Rigs to Reef.

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Today, we are living in a world of amazing products and technologies that go beyond our wildest imaginations. New things that alarm us pop up every other day, and it’s really a difficult task to keep up with all the latest trends. To help our readers out, Hello, POSCO prepared some of today’s most promising trends from secondary batteries to unmeltable steel. How about taking a glance into tomorrow’s technology together? 

A look into today’s leading trends in the advanced materials and energy industry

Thanks to the high enthusiasm and active investment on the part of POSCO and various companies in developing new business opportunities, Korea’s technology is making its way to the top.

Shall we take a closer look into Korea’s globally recognized advanced materials and energy sector?

#1. Secondary Batteries

Secondary batteries are known as one of the three most significant electronics of the 21st century, along with semiconductors and digital displays. Secondary batteries can be recharged and reused unlike the generic disposable kind. Corresponding to the rising interest in eco-friendly energy such as electric cars, the lithium secondary battery market soared 20% annually over the past five years.

According to a report by B3, a Japanese market research company, this year’s lithium ion secondary battery market is expected to increase 24% compared to last year.

Secondary batteries are classified by the material used; there are Nickel, lithium ion, lithium polymer, and nickel zinc batteries. Among these, the most promising is the lithium ion secondary battery which is widely used in various appliances including mobile electronic devices.

The Advantages of Environment-Friendly Secondary Batteries

 The most important reason secondary batteries are so influential in today’s energy industry is that its impact on the environment is minimal. Unlike fossil fuel, secondary batteries do not produce harmful emissions, making it an attractive energy source for cars. Also, because it does not require an internal combustion engine, there is no need to worry about making too much noise. Isn’t that wonderful?

From Automobiles to IT: The Various Applications of Secondary Batteries

Secondary batteries are thrown into the spotlight as the key to eco-friendly growth in various fields such as the automobile, IT and energy industries.

 From various IT devices to electric cars, secondary batteries are being used more and more frequently. Recently, secondary batteries are mostly used in mobile phones because they are light and suitable for storing high amounts of power.

In the automobile industry, the development and implementation of next-generation secondary batteries for electric cars will be a truly significant feat that will change the industry forever.

Game Changer: POSCO develops revolutionary lithium extraction technology

Korea is the world’s largest manufacturer of secondary batteries, but it has also been 100% dependent on imports for the core material lithium. To solve this problem, POSCO and the Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology (RIST) jointly developed a revolutionary lithium extraction technology.

(POSCO’s Pilot Plant (Phase 2) located at the Maricunga project near the city of Copiapó, Chile)

The lithium extraction technology was developed after the successful installment of a pilot plant (phase 2) located at the Maricunga project near the city of Copiapó, Chile.

The chemical lithium extraction technology, which was developed by POSCO’s own research unit, reduces recovery time from around 12 months to just eight hours! It also increases the lithium recovery rate from a maximum of 30% using traditional evaporation ponds to more than 80%.

In a time when secondary batteries are in the limelight, POSCO’s new technology could possibly be a game changer in various next-generation industries such as electric cars and smart grids. We hope to lead the global green industry with this awesome technology!

#2. PosMAC, the Unmeltable Steel

(The demand for highly durable and cost-efficient PosMAC is on the rise in the solar panel industry)

We usually consider steel as vulnerable to rust and corrosion over time. However, Korea’s leading steelmaker POSCO has developed a revolutionary steel by the name PosMAC. PosMAC is free from rust and corrosion for 10 to even 50 years!

The researchers at POSCO felt the need to develop a highly durable steel suitable for use in sites vulnerable to corrosion such as livestock handling facilities or coastal structures. The result was a futuristic multi-purpose steel that not only ensured long-term stability, but also added to the cleanliness and aesthetic of structures.

PosMAC is highly durable to moisture, heat and various chemicals while being affordable. PosMAC is also highly resistant to alkali and ammonia, which makes it highly suitable for use in livestock handling facilities or in situations where components are in contact with concrete tar.

We expect the corrosion-free PosMAC to be a significant contribution to the steel market in areas struggling with rusty steel!

More information on PosMAC at Hello, POSCO Blog

• PosMAC: The Revolutionary Steel 

#3. Substituting Fossil Fuel with Marine Bioenergy

Last but not least is the marine bioenergy industry. Marine bioenergy is an alternative energy produced through the refinement and fermentation of marine biomass such as seaweed. By substituting fossil fuel, bioenergy aims to narrow the gap between energy supply and demand!

Korea is currently heavily dependent on imports for energy, with 97% of the country’s energy being imported. Thus, it is crucial to reduce the dependency while finding out a way to produce energy independently. Marine bioenergy has been thrown into the spotlight as a promising new alternative energy due to Korea’s geography being suitable for development.

The advantages of marine bioenergy is that there is no need to worry about depletion. Also, it can be used continuously once developed, and large-scale development is possible. Lastly, its impact on the environment is minimal. It will be great if Korea would be able to utilize its geographical advantage as a peninsula and develop the environment-friendly alternative energy in the future!