POSCO Pilbara JV will supply lithium hydroxide to SK On

On 25 November, SK On signed a three-year agreement with POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution to secure up to 15,000 tons of domestically produced lithium hydroxide.

The lithium hydroxide, produced at POSCO’s Gwangyang facility, originates from lithium spodumene mined in Australia by Pilbara Minerals through POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, a joint venture between POSCO Holdings (82%) and Pilbara Minerals (18%). The deal also includes an option to extend the agreement for another three years.

According to Pilbara, the first shipment of spodumene concentrate for POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution’s Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) Chemical Facility departed Australia in September 2023. Since then, approximately 80,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate have been shipped to South Korea from the port used by Pilbara.