POSCO begins construction of 8CGL with annual capacity of 450,000 tons at Gwangyang Steel Mill… Improve productivity with AI and robots

POSCO is expanding its high-end automotive steel plate production capacity to respond to the future automobile market.

POSCO announced on the 8th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 8th hot-dip galvanized steel sheet plant, '8CGL', with an annual capacity of 450,000 tons (tons) at Gwangyang Steel Works.

8CGL is a factory specialized in producing hot-dip galvanized steel sheets for automobile exteriors and is scheduled to be completed in 2028.

This is the first time in 9 years since 2017 that POSCO has built a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet plant, and is investing approximately 480 billion won in the new plant.

Upon completion of 8CGL, POSCO's hot-dip galvanized steel sheet production capacity will expand to a total of 4.95 million tons per year.

8CGL plans to become a major base for the production of carbon-reducing automotive steel sheets in connection with the new electric furnace.

By introducing ultra-high temperature heat treatment facilities specialized for electric furnace steel plates, we will respond to the demand for low-carbon steel materials from global automakers and strengthen the production system for wide automotive steel plates used in the exterior panels of mid- to large-sized sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and recreational vehicles (RVs).

In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) is used to increase productivity and quality competitiveness.

The plan is to reduce quality deviations and defects by analyzing material, process, and quality data in real time and controlling facilities using AI technology that reflects the operational know-how accumulated over 30 years.

Manufacturing AI conversion (AX), which uses AI and robots, is being promoted for high-risk tasks such as removing impurities or collecting samples from high-temperature liquid zinc.

POSCO President Lee Hee-geun, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, said, "We will further solidify POSCO's technological leadership in global competition by building a POSCO-type specialized facility capable of producing next-generation high-quality automotive steel sheets with improved cost and technological competitiveness."