South Korea’s POSCO has launched a joint research project with Hyundai Motor and eight other industry, academic and research organizations to develop next-generation electrical steel aimed at improving the efficiency of electric vehicle (EV) motors.
The project focuses on developing 6.5pct silicon-content wide electrical steel sheets and advanced motor core manufacturing technologies. The initiative is supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and managed by the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT).
POSCO will lead the consortium, which includes Hyundai Motor, SL Corporation, Polepair Electric, the Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology (RIST), the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), the University of Ulsan, Pukyong National University and the Korea Metal Materials Research Association (KOMERA).
The project aims to develop manufacturing technologies for high-silicon electrical steel and validate its performance in EV drive motors. Higher silicon content reduces energy losses during motor operation, improving efficiency, although the material is more difficult to manufacture due to its increased brittleness.
The participating organizations have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish an integrated research framework covering the entire value chain, from material development and motor core production to drive motor manufacturing and vehicle-level testing.
POSCO said the project is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of South Korea’s steel and automotive industries while supporting the development of more energy-efficient electric vehicles.
POSCO is one of the world’s major steel producers and a leading supplier of electrical steel used in automotive, industrial and energy applications.
