Pilbara Minerals and POSCO open Korea’s first lithium hydroxide plant

Australian mining company Pilbara Minerals and its joint venture (JV) partner POSCO Holdings have announced the completion of Train 2 at their Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate Chemical Facility in Gwangyang, South Korea. 

The facility is Korea’s first lithium hydroxide plant, with an annual production capacity of up to 43,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide—sufficient to power batteries for approximately one million electric vehicles.

The JV, POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution (PPLS), established in 2021, is majority-owned by POSCO Holdings with an 82% stake, while Pilbara Minerals holds 18%. 

Under a long-term offtake agreement, Pilbara Minerals supplies spodumene concentrate from its Pilgangoora Operation in Western Australia to the Gwangyang facility.

Train 1 commenced production ramp-up in 2024, with battery-grade lithium hydroxide certification underway for South Korean customers. Train 2 is expected to reach full production capacity within 12 to 18 months.