Gwangyang Bay Area designated as national secondary battery raw material hub

The Gwangyang Bay Area has been designated as a national specialized complex for the secondary battery industry, focusing on basic raw materials. The designation covers six industrial complexes spanning approximately 6.45 million pyeong (21.32 million square meters).

The specialized complex will center on the refining and smelting of core minerals such as lithium and nickel. The initiative aims to build a comprehensive industrial ecosystem that links raw material procurement, material production, and the clustering of component and equipment manufacturers. Leading companies like POSCO Future M are expected to play a central role in strengthening competitiveness.

Local authorities, including the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and Gwangyang City, plan to expand infrastructure such as water, electricity, and access roads to support corporate investment. The goal is to attract battery cell, energy storage system (ESS), and recycling companies to bolster the domestic supply chain, complementing existing material-focused hubs in Cheongju, Pohang, Ulsan, and Saemangeum.