Page 166 - CW E-Magazine (17-12-2024)

News from Abroad

EXPANSION
Posco Pilbara completes second lithium hydroxide

plant in South Korea

South Korea’s Posco Pilbara Lithium
Solution Co., a subsidiary of Posco
Group, has announced the completion
of its second rock-based lithium
hydroxide plant at the Yulchon Industrial
Complex in Gwangyang, South Jeolla
Province. With this, the company has
achieved an production capacity of
43-ktpa of lithium hydroxide for
secondary batteries, enough to produce
approximately 1-mn electric vehicles.

Posco Pilbara Lithium Solution,
a joint venture established in 2021 by
Posco Holdings and Australian mining
company, Pilbara Minerals, with an
82:18 shareholding ratio, imports lithium
ore from Australia to produce lithium adopted by leading lithium producers hydroxide to Posco Future M, starting
hydroxide for secondary battery mate- in Australia and China. with 20-ktpa.
rials in South Korea.
Posco’s proprietary technology, The company recently signed its first
The second plant’s completion which leverages the principle of electro- long-term contract with SK On to sup-
comes just a year after the first plant dialysis, allows for the recovery and ply up to 15-kt over three years. Posco
was inaugurated in November 2022. reuse of secondary raw materials while Group also plans to enlist more domes-
Posco Holdings secured a stable supply generating minimal by-products. tic and international clients by leverag-
chain by investing in a 4.75% stake in ing advantages such as shorter delivery
Pilbara Minerals in 2018 and signing a The lithium hydroxide produced by times and reduced logistics costs.
20-year contract to procure lithium ore Posco-Pilbara is free from geopolitical
from the company’s Pilgangoora mine. risks as it uses Australian raw materials With the 25-ktpa capacity from the
and is processed domestically in South first phase of its salt-lake lithium pro-
The company applied Posco Korea. This makes it easier to navi- ject in Argentina and the newly com-
Group’s proprietary lithium extraction gate regulatory environments in key pleted 43-ktpa capacity from the rock-
technology in the first plant, while the markets like the US and the EU while based lithium plants, Posco Group has
second plant utilises a commercially expanding market reach. Posco-Pilbara established a total capacity of 68-ktpa
proven lithium extraction method widely plans to supply up to 30-ktpa of lithium of lithium hydroxide.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
H.B. Fuller announces two medical adhesives acquisitions;

exits flooring business

H.B. Fuller Company, US-based Medifill is an Irish formulator and specifically tailored for the wound
adhesives company, has signed agree- producer of medical-grade cyano- closure market.
ments to acquire two leading medical acrylate adhesives with a clean room and
adhesive technology companies – GEM manufacturing capabilities. Medifill GEM is an Italian manufacturer
S.r.l. and Medifill Ltd. produces advanced technology that is of medical adhesives and application

166 Chemical Weekly December 17, 2024

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