Posco and Hyundai are developing innovative electrical steel to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles

South Korean steel giant Posco has launched a large-scale project in collaboration with the Hyundai Motor Group and a number of other partners to develop high-silicon electrical steel. This material will form the basis for the production of stators and rotors, with the aim of significantly improving the efficiency of electric motors and introducing new technologies into the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs). This was reported by Electrive.

The project is funded by South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), with the Korea Institute for Industrial Technology Evaluation (KEIT) acting as coordinator. In addition to the consortium leader, Posco, the partnership includes Hyundai Motor, SL Corporation, as well as several specialist research institutes and universities. A total of ten participants have formally confirmed their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The consortium’s key objective is to develop electrical steel with a silicon content of 6.5 per cent. The increased silicon concentration significantly reduces iron losses in the magnetic circuit (core) of an electric motor, which directly improves its efficiency.

At the same time, this chemical solution presents a technological challenge: the high silicon content makes the metal more brittle, which complicates the production of thin and large-format sheets. In this regard, the partners will work not only on improving the characteristics of the material itself, but also on optimising the production processes for motor cores and drive units. They plan to test the developed technology directly on pre-production electric powertrains for vehicles.

This initiative is fully in line with Posco’s strategy to strengthen its position in the value chain for the electric vehicle sector. Earlier this year, the company signed a long-term contract with SK On to supply up to 25,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate from Argentina for automotive batteries and stationary energy storage systems. Posco is thus establishing itself both as a supplier of materials for electric motors and as a key partner to the battery industry.

As reported by GMK Center, the first production facility for premium coated automotive steel has been launched in India. AM/NS India, a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, has commenced domestic production of Zagnelis Protect. This is a patented brand of steel with a zinc-aluminium-magnesium coating for the automotive industry. India has become the first market outside Europe where this product is manufactured locally, which will reduce the country’s reliance on imports of high-tech steel.