Korean battery firms race to secure non-Chinese suppliers

South Korean battery material makers are accelerating efforts to build traceable, non-Chinese supply chains as tighter US rules threaten federal clean energy incentives for products linked to China. LS-L&F Battery Solution, a joint venture between LS Group and L&F, has begun qualification tests to make precursor materials — blends of metals used in cathodes —using metal sulfates produced by LS Group affiliate LS MnM, according to reports Thursday. If testing is completed as planned, LLBS could b

2026-09-17 14:57:05:00

How Ford could keep CATL in the US battery game

A new US order targeting foreign-linked power-grid equipment appears, at first glance, to give South Korean battery makers an opening against their dominant Chinese rivals. But Ford’s use of technology licensed from China’s CATL shows why the competitive benefit may be smaller than expected. Ford argues that batteries produced at its wholly owned Michigan plant are American-made despite relying on CATL technology. That ownership structure could help the automaker navigate Washington’s latest res

2026-09-15 12:44:16:00

Hyundai’s 42dot to close gap with Tesla, Waymo in autonomous driving

Hyundai Motor Group’s autonomous driving subsidiary, 42dot, is accelerating its drive to narrow the technology gap with industry leaders Tesla and Waymo. While aiming to facilitate its market entry with Nvidia, the automaker is gearing up to deploy its own Atria AI-powered vehicle fleet in 2029. In a media briefing at 42dot headquarters in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province, Park Min-woo — 42dot CEO and head of Hyundai’s advanced vehicle platform — emphasized that Hyundai’s global annual sales of 7 milli

2026-09-13 11:09:04:00

Hyundai, LG Energy Solution give used EV batteries a second life

Hyundai Motor Group has joined LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Engineering and Wonik PNE to test an energy storage system that repurposes retired electric vehicle batteries to power fast-charging stations. The five participating companies — Hyundai Motor, Kia, LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Engineering and Wonik PNE — launched the pilot Thursday at Wonik PNE’s facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Hyundai Motor Group described it as Korea’s first project directly linking used batteries from Hyundai

2026-09-10 17:01:26:00

HD Hyundai Heavy bets W1.07tr on engines, SMRs for AI power

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries said Thursday it will invest 1.07 trillion won ($799 million) in dedicated production facilities for land-based power engines and small modular reactors, targeting rising electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Of the total, 833.6 billion won will go toward a new HiMSEN engine production base in Onsan, Ulsan, with an annual capacity of 3 gigawatts. The complex will include dedicated facilities for engine assembly and testing, crankshaft machining

2026-09-10 15:21:39:00

Korea Zinc audit panel win shifts balance in control battle

The nearly two-year management control battle between Korea Zinc and the Young Poong-MBK Partners alliance has unfolded as a costly war of attrition marked by repeated legal and shareholder challenges. At Wednesday’s extraordinary general meeting, however, Korea Zinc management under Chair Choi Yun-birm gained a clear tactical advantage, securing broad shareholder support in a pivotal vote for an independent audit committee seat. Baek In-kyoo, the Korea Zinc board-backed nominee, received suppor

2026-09-10 15:00:40:00

Cho Hyun-joon’s early US bet powers Hyosung’s grid expansion

Hyosung Heavy Industries is strengthening its position in the US power equipment market, as early investments in local manufacturing begin to pay off amid surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers and grid modernization. The company has established US production capabilities for both 765-kilovolt transformers and circuit breakers rated at up to 800 kV, allowing it to supply core equipment for ultrahigh-voltage transmission networks. Hyosung Heavy currently commands nea

2026-09-10 10:18:53:00

Korea Zinc gains board edge with audit committee win

Korea Zinc secured a crucial audit committee seat Wednesday, gaining a tactical advantage in its protracted battle for management control against the Young Poong-MBK Partners alliance. At an extraordinary shareholders' meeting held at a Seoul hotel, Korea Zinc board-backed nominee Baek In-kyoo was elected with 5,092,815 votes, representing 81.8 percent of voting rights represented at the meeting. Park Yoo-kyung, nominated by Young Poong and MBK, failed to be elected after receiving 1,739,065 vot

2026-09-09 14:50:40:00

Posco injects W480b to expand premium auto steel production

Posco said Tuesday it will invest 480 billion won ($357 million) to expand production capacity for premium automotive galvanized iron and secure a competitive edge in the next-generation mobility market. Earlier in the day, the Korean steelmaker broke ground on the eight continuous galvanizing iron production line (8CGL) at its Gwangyang Steelworks in South Jeolla Province. Capable of producing 450,000 metric tons annually, the line will focus on manufacturing high-grade hot-dip galvanized steel

2026-09-08 15:08:42:00

HMM signs W4.7tr long-term shipping deal with Brazil’s Vale

HMM said Tuesday it signed a 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) long-term shipping contract with Vale, Brazil’s major mining company. Under the agreement, HMM will deploy eight 210,000-ton Newcastlemax bulk carriers under 25-year contracts per vessel starting in 2030. This marks HMM’s third major deal with Vale, following two 10-year agreements signed in May and September last year. The eco-friendly Newcastlemax vessels will feature the world’s first trifuel engines capable of running on methanol,

2026-09-08 14:41:55:00