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.

Recognized for efforts to transition to a low-carbon system, including the introduction of electric arc furnaces and the operation of a sustainability management council

POSCO was selected as the Sustainability Champion for the third consecutive year at the semi-annual member meeting of the World Steel Association, which was held in London, UK, on April 9 (local time).

▲Logo of the World Steel Association Sustainability Champion.

The World Steel Association has been awarding the title of Sustainability Champion since 2018 to member companies leading the steel industry in carbon neutrality and ESG initiatives. This year, 11 companies achieved this distinction, with POSCO earning the honor three times in a row since its first award in 2022.

To be named a Sustainability Champion, companies must fulfill four critical criteria: signatory to the Sustainable Development Charter, finalist in the Steelie Awards or the Safety & Health Recognition, publication of a sustainability report, and submission of sustainability data including Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) emissions data for materials and processes. Companies that meet these requirements are recognized as exemplary leaders in global ESG management.

In addition to meeting all four conditions, POSCO was recognized for its low-carbon transition efforts, including the introduction of electric arc furnaces and investments in Hydrogen Reduction Ironmaking Technology (HyREX), as well as new initiatives such as the establishment of a group safety council and a supply chain management council. These achievements have solidified POSCO’s status as a Sustainability Champion for the third consecutive year.

Furthermore, POSCO has been ranked as the most competitive steelmaker in the world by World Steel Dynamics for 14 consecutive years and continues to spearhead the global steel industry’s transition to carbon neutrality with innovations like its proprietary HyREX technology and the application of low-carbon bridge technologies.

Here is a person who has a great interest in both steel and the environment. His name is Mr. Greenie Kang. Another person here is Greenie’s friend, Mr. Steely Kim. He is a POSCO employee as well as a steel expert.

Greenie is looking into a TV. As he explores the steel used to make TV parts with a magnifying glass, he finds a tiny nut! He becomes curious about how such hardened steel was cut to make such a fine detailed nut. On searching online, he learns that ‘free-cutting steel’ was used to make these small nuts of the TV. Another thing. He learns that these free-cutting steel contain ‘lead.’ Lead is known to be harmful to the environment, as well as the human body. Is this okay? Greenie meets his friend Steely to find a solution to this issue.

l TVs & Automotives — Various Nuts Used Around Us Contain ‘Lead’?

Have you seen these tiny nuts used to assemble TV parts? I saw one up close, and it had tiny little curves engraved on them! I was wondering how this solid steel was cut, and I found out that it was made with special steel called “lead-based free-cutting steel.” Does this mean that it contains lead, which is harmful to the environment? What is this lead-based free-cutting steel?

Calm down, Greenie. I’ll explain it all for you. First, let me tell you about what free-cutting steel is. It’s not something you’ve heard every day, right? Free-cutting steel is a kind of wire rod product that is specially designed to be machined by precise cutting work. It’ll be easy to understand if you think of it as a wire or spring. To improve machinability, free-cutting steel is made by adding sulfur, lead, and phosphorus. The principle applied here is this: the force exerted by cutting tools, such as knives, is concentrated on the added components of the cutting-steel, causing cracks and facilitating machinability.

Free-cutting steel is an important steel material, mainly used for fabricating precision parts for electric, electronic, and OA equipment. TV, printer, and automotive parts that we see around us are also made with it. Free-cutting steel is categorized into several types, depending on the added component, and lead-based free-cutting steel is the type mostly used to make ultra-precision parts due to its outstanding machinability.

▲ Free-cutting steel is used in various products around us

However, lead-based free-cutting steel contains lead components that are harmful to the human body. Supposing that lead accumulates in the body, it can cause fatal health issues like inflammation and damages to the nerve system, right? On measuring how much lead was emitted while processing lead-based free-cutting steel, it was found that large amounts were detected in the air, though not visible to the naked eye. In addition, lead-based free-cutting steel causes environmental pollution, since harmful lead components are exposed during the recycling and disposal of products that have free-cutting steel. South Korea imports all lead-based free-cutting steel. Around 23,000 tons are imported annually.

l No Need to Worry! Meet POSCO’s Graphite-based Free-cutting Steel, PosGRAM!

So, lead-based free-cutting steel pollutes the environment and even threatens the health of workers. Then why do they use it?

As the harmfulness of lead-based free-cutting steel became known, its use is decreasing worldwide. However, the problem is that there isn’t any other type of free-cutting steel with good machinability to replace it. So, even RoHS and ELV regulations, which are international guidelines for restricting hazardous substances, set aside exceptions for lead content in the case of steel alloys. RoHS and ELV limit the amount of lead in products to 0.1%. However, in the case of lead-based free-cutting steel, which has no alternative, the standards allow up to 0.35%.

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So, you mean there are products that contain up to 0.35% of lead around us?

Unfortunately, that is the case for now. Many global steelmakers have tried to develop free-cutting steel that is lead-free, but it was in vain to come up with an alternative that has both excellent machinability and price competitiveness against lead-based free-cutting steel. POSCO has also been focusing on developing steel that can replace it. R&D period alone took three years. At last, POSCO researchers found an alternative substance that has no toxic ingredients while maintaining the excellent processing properties. It is none other than graphite! Last year, POSCO succeeded in developing and mass-producing graphite-based free-cutting steel for the first time in the world. This new product is named PosGRAM(Pos GRAphitic steel for Machinability). To create graphite-based free-cutting steel, fine graphite is distributed within the steel, enabling it to be utilized as free-cutting steel.

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Graphite? Is it something like charcoal?

An example of graphite that you can easily see would be a mechanical pencil lead. Graphite is a mineral made of pure carbon. The binding structure between the carbon layers is weak, so it is easy to cut through — just like mechanical pencil lead breaks easily. In addition to its excellent machinability, graphite also acts as a lubricant between the tool and the chip, thus reducing friction. In other words, graphite-based free-cutting steel reduces tool wear. Also, it displays similar chip removal when compared to lead-based free-cutting steel. Since graphite-based free-cutting steel has no microstructure anisotropy, there is no difference in machinability — no matter in which direction it is cut.

▲ Graphite-based free-cutting steel, PosGRAM, shows at least equivalent or superior performance in terms of tool wear and chip removal compared to lead-based free-cutting steel! Besides, it shows no difference in machinability in any direction, because it has no microstructure anisotropy.

l No More Lead-based Free-cutting Steel, Right?

I’m really glad that POSCO developed PosGRAM. Now we don’t have to worry about environmental pollution caused by lead-based free-cutting steel anymore!

That’s right. POSCO has opened a new chapter in global Sustainable material technology by successfully developing PosGRAM to replace lead-based free-cutting steel! As of now, the use of lead, a harmful element, is being regulated in many countries around the world. So, global precision parts manufacturers and automotive companies are trying to stop utilizing parts that contain hazardous substances such as lead. POSCO’s solution, which keeps pace with this flow, is expected to be of great help in protecting our planet from lead poisoning.

The annual global market demand for free-cutting steel is estimated to be 1 million tons, among which 600,000 tons are for lead-based free-cutting steel. There is no domestic manufacturer in Korea, so over 23,000 tons of lead-based free-cutting steel are imported annually from overseas. The average amount of lead in it is 0.3%. Assuming that all existing lead-based free-cutting steel is replaced with PosGRAM, the use of harmful lead is expected to be reduced by 1,800 tons per year (69 tons in Korea).

Since this PosGRAM was developed by POSCO, it may assist in strengthening the industrial competitiveness of Korea as well.

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So, will the lead-based free-cutting steel around us disappear for good?

Now that PosGRAM has been developed, it has to be applied to the market successfully. That is why POSCO has been actively engaging in marketing activities to enable the new product to quickly replace the existing lead-based free-cutting steel in Korea. Aiming to eliminate the use of old ones in Korea within the next five years, POSCO is offering various solutions to its customers, who have been utilizing lead-based free-cutting steel only, so that they can adopt PosGRAM. POSCO is also pursuing to obtain PosGRAM’s certification from end-customers.

For example, to SeAH Special Steel, the largest manufacturer of free-cutting steel products in Korea, POSCO has provided the technology that enables the utilization of PosGRAM instead of lead-based free-cutting steel. And both companies have jointly conducted processing evaluation as well. POSCO and SeAH Special Steel are also carrying out various certification processes together, starting with industrial products to expand the use of PosGRAM gradually into the home appliances and automotive markets.

Once POSCO’s PosGRAM successfully settles in the market, there’s no need to worry about lead being used in cars, home appliances, and OA equipment that we see around us. Workers will also be safe since they aren’t exposed to lead. PosGRAM doesn’t cause any water pollution or soil contamination on being recycled or disposed of, so PosGRAM is a way to “save the environment and protect the health of people.”

Greenie was quite worried about the harmful lead-based free-cutting steel at first, but now he looks quite satisfied hearing the news of POSCO’s PosGRAM. POSCO isn’t just a world-class steelmaker — it actively participates in resolving environmental issues with its excellent steel solutions. Even today, POSCO is on its way towards making Earth safer

For several years, the steel industry has taken measures to eliminate these issues, and the effort is ongoing. What are some of the key issues surrounding the industry’s air quality management? POSCO Newsroom presents worldsteel, “Air Quality Management.”

The steel industry recognises the importance of the issues surrounding emissions to air and their impact on ambient air quality, human health and the environment.

For decades, the steel industry has taken measures to address these issues, thereby significantly and demonstrably reducing emissions per tonne of steel.

▲ worldsteel.org – Source: UNECE Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution

Steel, whether produced via the integrated, direct reduced iron or electric arc furnace route, requires the transport, storage, handling, heating and transformation of raw materials.

All these processes have the potential to generate emissions to air *, primarily in the form of dust (or particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrous oxides (NOx). Other emissions generated in small quantities include dioxins and heavy metals, typically attached to dust particles.

Today, all steel plants are subject to environmental regulation, which set requirements to restrict emissions to air. This regulatory framework is translated into an environmental permit (or licence to operate), which establishes plant-specific Emission Limit Values (ELVs) covering the primary emissions to air, dust, SO2, and NOx, and in most cases other
emissions.

The environmental permit also sets monitoring requirements and it is common for steel plants to have additional requirements within the permit, such as maximum production capacity, emission ceilings for specific emissions, taxes or fees on emissions or specific reduction targets.

l Emissions from Stacks versus Diffuse and Fugitive Sources

Stack emissions are released at height from identifiable sources (point sources) and are dispersed in the atmosphere. Diffuse and fugitive emissions (non-point sources), contrary to stack emissions, originate from an area, such as a stockpile or a road.

Stack emissions are managed using a variety of controls, such as beneficiation (i.e. removing potential contaminants before further processing), yield/process optimisation (‘more with less’), combustion control, abatement technologies (i.e. bag filters, electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), wet scrubbing systems, activated carbon adsorbers, cyclones, mist eliminators, etc.), source monitoring, incident investigation, plant inspections, source modelling and targeted plant maintenance regimes.

Stack emissions from the steel industry are managed to be well below prescribed ELVs. Exceedances are infrequent and occur in most cases during process disturbances. In these cases, authorities are informed and investigations carried out to identify the root cause, prevent recurrence and drive continuous improvement.

Emissions from iron and steelmaking operations, including cast house floor emissions from blast furnaces, are controlled via secondary dedusting systems (i.e. bag filters, wet scrubbers, ESPs, etc.) with a collection point inside the building. Occasionally, for safety reasons, the flaring of process gases is required. In this case the gases will have been filtered beforehand.

Diffuse emissions are mainly associated with material handling, stockpiling and transport activities. A variety of controls are used to manage potential emissions from these activities, such as minimising volumes of material stored, stockpile design, watering of stockpiles and roads, application of surface sealants, use of enclosures for bulk material storage, paving and sweeping of roads, dedusting of transport belts or use of closed belts, windbreaks/vegetation and video surveillance.

In addition to these measures, several tools are used to proactively manage emissions, such as weather alert systems, ambient monitoring, plant inspections/audits and risk/incident management systems.

Fugitive emissions, such as emissions generated from the roof of some buildings or emissions escaping from valves and evaporation of solvents are typically controlled and managed through maintenance and monitoring.

Diffuse and fugitive emissions are commonly regulated through the application of regional ambient air quality standards, which are based on an assessment of modelled or potential impact on the ambient air quality at selected ambient monitoring locations in the neighbouring area.

l Regulatory Framework

An environmental permit is a requirement for the operation of a steel plant. The permit is based on an assessment of the environmental impacts of
activities and most permits set ELVs in addition to defining monitoring and reporting requirements.

Environmental permits are typically reviewed periodically, or in case of production increase, construction of new facilities, new/revised environmental standards, or when new substances are identified.

• Environmental permits and ELVs must be based on sound science with respect to the potential risk to human health and the environment, and they need to be achievable.
• Environmental permits should never prescribe the use of a specific technology but should allow requirements to be met with a technology/practice of choice. To guarantee the smooth operation of the plant and the optimal protection of the environment, the permitting process must ensure legal and planning certainty.

l Holistic Environmental Assessment

Advanced abatement technologies require energy and other operational supplies to provide effective emission control. For example, wet dedusting technology requires significant amounts of water and electricity as well as chemical additives. To ensure an optimal environmental outcome, it is necessary to consider the impact of the prospective air emission abatement control technology on other environmental aspects (i.e. water pollution, waste generation/treatment requirements, energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions), commonly known as the cross-media effects.

• When considering a suitable abatement technology for a specific emission source or production process, it is essential to take a holistic approach to the potential environmental impacts and consider the overall sustainability of the technology.

l Application of Emission Reduction Technologies

Every steel plant is unique, for example, in relation to geographic location, the proximity of sensitive receivers, the scale of operation and production processes. Therefore, a robust environmental risk assessment, including analysis of potential cross-media effects, is essential to ensure that identified emission reduction technologies are fit for purpose and sustainable for application at a specific steel plant.

Technical considerations should contemplate aspects such as the applicability to new and/or existing plants, specific operating conditions and types of raw materials and fuels.

• Since every steel plant is unique, it is essential to assess and ensure that identified emission reduction technologies are fit for purpose and sustainable for each application.

Stack emissions from power generation, industrial processes and the steel industry contribute to general background levels of air pollutants and form part of a larger set of physical agents found in the atmosphere. Emissions from natural sources such as forest fires, soil, pollen and sea spray also make up a large part of the background levels.

• Reducing emission generation from point sources improves regional air quality.

Diffuse and fugitive emissions, particularly dust emissions, are typically emitted close to ground level, and as such predominantly contribute to local air quality and tend to raise visual amenity issues.

Other emission sources impacting on local air quality include road traffic, transport, domestic heating, construction and demolition, bulk material handling and agriculture.

• Effective control of emissions closer to ground level drive improvements in local air quality.

l Monitoring of Air Emissions

The steel industry conducts extensive air emissions monitoring to follow up on permit requirements and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Monitoring in a typical steel facility includes source monitoring of emissions to identify potential sources of dust, NOx, SO2, and heavy metals. This monitoring combines extractive testing and continuous or online monitoring and reporting to the authorities.

Many steel plants also maintain, or support, broader ambient monitoring networks on the perimeter of the facility or in the neighbouring community of total suspended particles (TSPs), PM10, PM2.5, NOx, SO2 and sometimes heavy metals. Other types of monitoring include deposition monitoring and biomonitoring.

In addition, most steel plants have invested in air quality modelling and other established management activities such as targeted audits/inspections, video surveillance, environmental readiness and community hotlines.

These management practices are designed to determine the steel industry’s ambient air quality contribution, assist in identifying the sources of emissions and drive improvement.

l Health and Environmental Effects

Air pollution has recognised environmental and health effects. Air quality standards are therefore established to prevent, reduce or avoid adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

Through the application of advanced abatement technologies, comprehensive management practices and a drive for continuous improvement, the industry aims to minimise emissions to air and thereby their impact.

• The steel industry engages proactively and constructively with permitting authorities and its stakeholders to respond to emerging health and environmental issues.

l Going Forward, What Are Our Key Focus Areas?

Diffuse dust (dust from material handling, stockpiling and transport activities) is the most visible particulate matter generated by the steel industry. While significant technology and management improvements have been made in the past decades, managing diffuse dust remains a challenge.

Because steel plants are often surrounded by residential areas, either for historical reasons or due to growing rapid urbanisation, the steel industry needs to further engage with local communities to discuss any concerns they may have, leading to an ongoing partnership.

Another area of critical importance is the further refining of sophisticated air quality modelling systems (dispersion modelling), which can determine the share of steel industry activities on ambient air quality and demonstrate improvement over time.

* Emissions to air have the particularity of having a local or regional reach as opposed to CO2 emissions, which have a global impact, and are therefore not covered in this report.

The full length of the worldsteel’s position paper, “Air Quality Management” can be downloaded here.

On August 28, POSCO kicked off the second cycle of its #SteelSaveEarth campaign to raise awareness on and inspire actions to protect the planet.

Originally launched in April this year, the #SteelSaveEarth campaign aims to curb single-use plastics through alternative materials such as steel which can be reused and recycled. During the initial period of the campaign, over 5,000 participated in the offline events and 1,700 others joined the Instagram hashtag event.

With the continued focus on reducing single-use plastics, the second cycle of #SteelSaveEarth will zero in on ocean clean-up activities to help mitigate the effect of plastic pollution.

The ocean clean-up initiative will commence on the ‘Clean Ocean Day’ on October 19 together with POSCO Volunteers for Clean Oceans. Celebrating its 10th year, the POSCO Volunteers is a group of certified skin-scuba divers dedicated to protecting marine life in the vicinity of POSCO establishments in Pohang, Gwangyang, Incheon, and Gangneung. Over the last ten years, the Volunteers conducted over 540 ocean clean up activities collecting about 1,650 tons of ocean waste.

To spread the #SteelSaveEarth awareness, the campaign organizers are opening up volunteer opportunities to the general public. Those interested can apply via POSCO’s official Instagram account – the application is open from August 28 to September 27. On October 19, the selected volunteers will conduct ocean clean up activity in Gwangyang together with the POSCO Volunteers for Clean Oceans.

▲ POSCO Volunteers for Clean Oceans conducting ocean clean-up in Pohang, August 10

Additionally, POSCO is hosting a steel bottle event to encourage campaign participation – the bottles, made of POSCO stainless steel, will include drawings of marine creatures suffering from plastic waste such as turtles, whale sharks, and seabirds.

▲ POSCO stainless steel bottle with #SteelSaveEarth design

Beyond #SteelSaveEarth campaign, POSCO is also striving to build sustainable business practices through innovation. POSCO’s GIGA STEEL lightweights vehicles, ultimately reducing carbon dioxide emissions. PosMAC, POSCO’s corrosion-resistant steel, extends product life – and Hyper NO, electrical steel sheet, boosts energy efficiency for electric motors.

Furthermore, POSCO recycles 98.4% of by-products from its steelworks such as slag and by-product gases to keep their steelworks more sustainable.

▲ POSCO Volunteers for Clean Oceans after the ocean clean-up in Pohang, August 10

▲ #SteelSaveEarth Trailer: Cycle #2

As descendants of “handy man (Homo habilis)”, we have created civilization by adjusting to and, at times, challenging the rough and ever-changing environment. Megacities with cars moving through a cluster of high-rise buildings, trains crossing long bridges, and airplanes flying, leaving white streak in the sky, show typical features of modern civilization. The use and advancement of tools led to the increase in industrial productivity, and, coincided with the physical expansion of the society, brought about the development of human civilization. Materials, which have played a fundamental role in increasing the efficiency of tools, are becoming a standard for determining the different stages of development of a civilization.

Tools made from materials that are easily found in nature, such as wood, straw, and stones can be commonly found. Objects and tools made from metal are also or even more commonly found. The use of metal in making tools began later than other materials as it is rather complex and requires elaborate use of fire to make metal from raw materials.

However, metals have become the most important material in today’s industrial society due to their strength and formability. Among various metals, steel has played a leading role due to the availability of the natural resources and is highly formable after relatively simple adjustments. As such, the production and consumption of steel can be an indicator of the level of development of a country.

“Dislocation” Sets a New Course in Metallurgy

Metals are typically solids at room temperature. Think of toys that consist of small individual pieces to be assembled to form a single larger object. Many solids are formed by regular arrangements of symmetrical structures (e.g. a cube) made of atoms in an infinitely repeating pattern, filling a three dimensional space. This is known as crystal structure.

The level of force between the atoms in a metallic crystal is known to be weaker than the force in other solid forms. Also, a crystal structure typically contains crystallographic defects that do not conform to the regular arrangement. Among the defects, “dislocation” greatly influences the mechanical properties of the crystal structure.

In a dislocation, empty spaces between atoms create a long, straight line. Tapping, bending, or stretching the metal is a process in which the dislocation within the metal is created and rearranged. Because the level of interaction between the metallic solid atoms is low, pre-existing chemical bonds can be easily broken to form new ones. In other words, it is possible to alter the arrangement of the dislocation and create a new form by exerting force. On the other hand, strongly-bonded crystal structures of other solids, such as salt, are difficult to alter their shapes as they are easily broken by exterior force.

Effective Control of “Dislocation” is a Metallurgist’s Dream

Developing strong, unbreakable, and ductile materials is a long standing dream of metallurgists. The key question to consider here is how to control the movement of the dislocation within a metal.

Metallic materials are produced by mixing two or more atoms to form an alloy. Their properties depend on the ratio of atoms and the manufacturing process.

Giga Steel, successfully commercialized by POSCO, is a high-strength steel designed and developed to create twinning, structures in which the left and right sides are symmetrical each other like a mirror image or to alter the crystal structure during plastic deformation by controlling dislocation. It can be considered as state-of-art metallic materials.

Going Beyond the Norm

Metallic materials have many stories to tell and metallurgists are becoming more elaborate in telling these stories. Here, we will highlight two recent accomplishments in metallurgical research, the first being high-entropy alloys.

Traditionally, metallic materials were developed as alloys made by combining two or three minor elements with major one depending on the required properties. A high-entropy alloy is formed by combining five or more elements in identical or similar ratio without a major element. This method enables alloys to be produced in almost-infinite varieties, and alloys with excellent cryogenic properties, corrosion-resistant alloys, have already been studied and presented.

Study results reveal that high-quality mechanical properties of the high-entropy alloy are closely related to twinning. This reaches beyond the common knowledge of metallurgy as it was previously assumed that these alloys existed beyond the scope of twinning.

The International Cooperation Research Team of Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, POSTECH in Korea and KTH – Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, developed a general theory of the atomisitic level and conducted quantum mechanics calculations. As a result, it was revealed that the high-entropy alloy is a different class of material in comparison to the conventional alloys and that twinning occurs more effectively, thus attaining high mechanical properties.

Ultra-Light and High Strength

The second accomplishment to highlight is the ultra-light and high-strength steel developed at Graduate Institute of Ferrous Technology, POSTECH. An alloy was designed to combine into steel containing high ratio contents of manganese and aluminum with a less amount of nickel, then the processing was controlled to produce small-sized secondary crystals.

Chemically stable secondary crystals were known to degrade the properties of metallic materials, and were thus avoided. On the contrary, the mechanical properties of the newly proposed alloy have been found to be superior to the conventional steel materials, including even titanium-alloys developed for aircraft materials. This implies that we should open a new chapter in the field of metallic materials with a new generation of high-alloy steel such as POSCO’s Giga Steel, high-entropy alloy, and ultra-light high-strength steel.

In Pursuit of a Safe and Sustainable Future

As descendants of “wise man (Homo sapiens)”, we should consider the future of our planet and civilization and demonstrate wisdom. The scientific knowledge that has led us thus far will guide us through the challenges faced by the humanity.

The role of metallurgists is also important. They would have to search deeply within the fundamentals, applications, and domains granted by Mother Nature to discover and apply versatile materials and contribute to creating a safe, efficient, and sustainable future.

POSCO’s globally acclaimed ‘corrosion-resistant steel’, PosMAC acquired first domestic EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) certification from US’s global safety and quality certification company, UL(Underwriters’ Laboratories) Environment.

Environmental Product Declaration is a standardized certification system of quantifying the environmental impact of products or services. This certification authority transparently evaluates the overall production process of all products from the extraction of raw materials, supply, production, use, and disposal. The certification standard complies with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), thus fundamental to earn in entering the global market.

US’s UL(Underwriters’ Laboratories) is the parent organization of the certification authority, UL Environment. UL was first established in 1894 as US’s first safety standardization and authorization company, performing public authorization of not only steel products but a varied range of products such as electronics and information communications, medical, and renewable energy materials. The UL Environment’s EPD certificate has been acknowledged in the global market for drawing credibility.

The EPD-certified PosMAC is a new generation steel developed by POSCO’s unique technology that drastically improved the corrosion-resistant capabilities. PosMAC’s corrosion-resistant capability is more than five times that of previous galvanized steel plate. This is achieved by an oxidized layer called ‘Simonkolleite’, which is composed of zinc, magnesium, and aluminum that protects the surface from corrosion with a long-lasting effect while covering the cutting plate enhancing its resistance to corrosion.

Its superior resistance to corrosion as opposed to previous galvanized steel plate minimizes reconstruction from corrosion through providing long-lasting protection from severe environment such as chlorine, alkaline, high temperatures and humidity. This relatively decreases fuel, raw material, greenhouse gases, and other pollution-generating emissions from the manufacturing of additional steel required for reconstruction. All the reasons why PosMAC is highly competitive as an eco-friendly material. (Ask an Expert: Maximizing Sustainability and Minimizing Environmental Impact)

PosMAC applied in Alamo solar power plant in San Antonio, US

These leading qualities of PosMAC gaining worldwide recognition in the solar energy market granted a supply agreement with NEXTracker, the world’s lead solar tracking system manufacturer. Solar energy structures require highly corrosion-resistant materials due to its longstanding exposure in harsh conditions. In the domestic scene, where installation sites are rather limited, PosMAC is applied in offshore solar structures where extremely high corrosion-resistant materials are required.

POSCO claims “This EPD certification contributes to PosMAC’s competence in solar energy and building materials market in Europe and US where sustainability is a significant movement while enriching the eco-friendly brand image leading the age of low-carbon economy and sustainability.”

Durable Steel, a Foundation for Sustainable Solar Energy

Tolerance against corrosion is crucial for maintaining a long-lasting solar energy generating system. Once installed, the solar panel and its frame structures are exposed to external forces which can reduce electric power generation. To withstand exposure to wind, water, and salt, PosMAC was invented as a revolutionary coating layer that significantly increases the resistance to corrosion.

‘Simonkolleite’, the layer coating on the PosMAC provides strong resistance against corrosion. (Source: POSCO Youtube)

PosMAC stands for POSCO Magnesium Aluminum alloy Coating. Its oxidized layer called ‘Simonkolleite,’ the coating material of the steel that is composed of zinc, magnesium and aluminum that shows five to ten times higher tolerance against corrosion compared to that of other market steels. Beyond such highly competitive performance, PosMAC is cost-effective, providing a long-term financial benefit for both manufacturing and consuming parties. These secure and competitive qualities are key to PosMAC’s trendsetting role in the sustainability movement, reaching the growing solar energy market around the world.

Dominating the Global Solar Energy Market

The sales of PosMAC used for solar structures have been growing doubles each year since its public release in 2013. Domestically, the application of PosMAC is sought through Solution Marketing with solar support structure manufacturing companies including AJU STEEL, Daedong, NEMO ENG, and JEJU TOP SOLAR.

In the global arena, POSCO is engaging in worldwide conferences to publicize PosMAC’s advanced technology. A recent showcase was on May 21 where POSCO participated in the annual Mexican International Renewable Energy Congress, ‘MIREC WEEK 2018’ in Mexico, one of the biggest renewable energy conferences in the world. As the sole steel manufacturing participant, PosMAC’s broad capacity was successfully promoted to major solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) companies such as NEXTracker, Soltec, and Axial.

POSCO promotes PosMAC’s superior corrosion resistance capabilities to the South American market at MIREC WEEK 2018 in Mexico.

Solution Marketing Shaping PosMAC’s Today and the Future

One of POSCO’s successful Solution Marketing is observed in joint efforts with AJU STEEL Company. AJU STEEL recognized the innovative traits of PosMAC, not long since its release, and identified various areas that would benefit from PosMAC’s outstanding durability.

PosMAC showed great performance particularly in Jeju Island, Korea where there is a higher degree of salinity, humidity and wind that accelerate steel corrosion. These rough environmental conditions had adverse effects on the durability of agricultural facilities. In spite of this, with PosMAC’s high endurance performance, AJU STEEL and POSCO sought to effectively prevent facilities from deteriorating in Jeju. With the success of adopting PosMAC in the agricultural structures in Jeju Island, AJU STEEL has constructed several facilities like bell pepper and banana farms making further use of PosMAC technology. It has undeniably contributed to advancement in agricultural structures.

Additionally, in efforts with AJU STEEL, PosMAC is being actively applied to solar structures and its performance is also highly reliable as marine solar panels that are also susceptible to severe external influences. AJU STEEL is further planning to expand the joint business from building structures into smart farming facilities, eventually seeking export outlets.

PosMAC has proven to be inevitable in building advanced structures which is the backbone of generating sustainable solar energy and bringing agricultural advancement. As such, POSCO has been marked as a dominant pioneer not only in resolving the structural problems of facilities but of continuously creating better living standards actively by encouraging and creating superior infrastructure.

As a part of this effort, we are going to share the perspective from the expert of ‘Green energy’, Yun jung, Jin who is the senior researcher at POSCO Research Institute (POSRI).

Steel is nearly 100% reusable in consideration of Life Cycle Approach(Source: World Steel)

How do we achieve sustainability?

No one would deny the importance of sustainability. But how do we achieve it?

According to Jin, the answer can be found in the ‘Life Cycle Approach’ model. This model provides a better idea of how sustainability can be achieved. Life Cycle Approach seeks to prevent the root causes that can threaten the environment by identifying and considering all stages of a product’s life cycle, beginning with the extraction of raw materials.

Take vehicle emission as an example, it is widely known that electric vehicles produce far less pollution than gasoline vehicles. However, a closer look at vehicle operation would reveal that electric vehicles also produce a fair amount of pollution by burning carbon when generating electricity.

Majority of Steel product we discard is easily recycled(Source: GenesisSteel)

Can Steel be life-cycled?

So how does steel fit into the Life Cycle Approach?

Jin showed little bit more on details of the reasons why steel should be considered as an important eco-friendly as product or a material. Beginning with the manufacturing stage, the by-products of steel production, such as slag, can be recycled to make raw materials for road construction. Once in use, its longevity is a great advantage in terms of sustainability efforts. Steel used in buildings and various infrastructures boast a life span of almost 100 years. Steel used in vehicles and various machines also can last over 10 years.

SEE ALSO: Recycled Steel Changing the Way the World Uses Metal

Lifespan of steel is way longer than we anticipate(Source:World Steel)

After it has served its purpose, steel is still highly recyclable and boasts a recycling rate of nearly 90%. Because it can be infinitely recycled while maintaining its inherent property and quality intact, steel is considered the most suitable material for circulation economy.

POSCO’s Clean advanced technology may be the solution for green society

Steel is essential for our sustainable future

Jin mentioned that the POSRI reports clearly illustrates that various ways of steel can be applied to the Life Cycle Approach and its viability as an integral element for sustainability. POSCO strives to stay ahead of the curve by utilizing its cutting-edge technology to develop innovative products and solutions, such as the GIGA STEEL and FINEX® smelting processes.

Finally, Jin assured that with the Life Cycle Approach in mind, POSCO takes pride in all the efforts in reducing greenhouse emissions and in paving the way towards a sustainable society.

SEE ALSO: How Steel Makes the Circular Economy Go ‘Round’

The U.S. is headed towards a major shortage of truck drivers. (Source: The New York Times)

However, the U.S. is short of about 30,000 to 35,000 drivers for every 750,000 trucks, and the number of driver shortages may reach up to 245,000 by 2022. That’s because right now, the average age of truck drivers in the U.S. is 55, and potential new recruits are choosing to sign up for construction or manufacturing jobs instead.

All this leads to climbing prices for freight transportation. Last December, at the peak of holiday deliveries, U.S. companies saw the highest monthly average rate for freight transportation since 2010. The high operation costs and lower profit margins are putting a heavy strain on industries. Heading into 2018, companies have to compete for carriers as there is just one truck available for every 12 loads.

As a result, Major automakers are heavily invested in autonomous electric freight trucks such as Tesla, Volvo and Daimler, and there are many proponents of an eco-friendly, safe and driverless future for freight transportation. However, autonomous freight trucks are not a realistic option for companies just yet. At a time of transition between the old and the new, there is a serious lack of capacity in freight transportation, and companies are left to deal with the higher costs for delivery.  

But good news right around the corner

Although the driver shortage is a major concern, it is a natural phenomenon in the transition towards a safer, more sustainable and more efficient freight transportation industry.

Uber’s autonomous freight trucks are in operation with a human safety driver on the highways of Arizona. (Source: Future Car)

Already, Uber has its autonomous trucks on the highways of Arizona. Every truck does have a human driver present to take over anytime, and the company uses transfer hubs to transfer goods between highways and local roads. Autonomous trucks are the safest and most efficient for use on highways, so human drivers transport goods from highways to the final destination. The company is working to operate without human backup drivers in the near future.

Waymo’s autonomous freight trucks have gone through almost a decade of testing and is now delivering supplies for Google in Atlanta. (Source: Wired)

Waymo is another company with autonomous trucks already in operation. Just this month, the company’s autonomous freight trucks started transferring equipment for Google data centers in Atlanta.

Embark was the first company to complete a successful coast to coast run with an autonomous truck. (Source: Micro Power Grids)

Embark also has its autonomous trucks in operation. Earlier this year, the company made a successful 2,400-mile trip from California to Florida with a human safety driver on board. The company has plans to commercialize its services in the coming years.

SEE ALSO: 6 Cities On the Road to a Driverless Future

Speeding up delivery

Numerous other automotive and tech companies besides those mentioned above are getting ready for autonomous freight transportation. The faster autonomous freight trucks are able to operate commercially, the faster industries can cut costs, improve delivery times and reduce their carbon footprint.

This means software technology, high-capacity batteries as well as the right automotive materials will play a crucial role in the future of the freight transportation industry, as well as in related industries. This transformation will open up new business opportunities for automakers, software companies as well as steel manufacturers like POSCO.

For autonomous truck manufacturers looking for ultra-lightweight yet super strong materials for optimal fuel efficiency, POSCO developed POSCO GIGA STEEL. The advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) material is 3 times stronger and 3.5 times cheaper than aluminum. Steel is also 100 percent recyclable and an electric vehicle made of AHSS requires 30 percent less energy than aluminum throughout its entire lifecycle. POSCO also developed a premium non-oriented electrical steel called Hyper NO for the most advanced and sustainable electric motors.

SEE ALSO: Why Electrical Steel Can Make All The Difference In EV Motors

POSCO also works with its auto partners to research and provide customized technology and materials solutions for their autonomous EVs. In the midst of a critical shortage of truck drivers, POSCO hopes to speed up autonomous EV adoption both for personal and commercial transportation and aid the transition into a more efficient and environmentally sustainable economy.

Cover photo courtesy of Time.