SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HS Hyosung Group has officially entered the silicon anode material business, a core component of next-generation batteries.

This move aligns with Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-Sang's "value management" strategy, which emphasizes maximizing corporate value through core technologies and intellectual assets.

On October 31, HS Hyosung announced an investment of €120 million (approximately KRW 200 billion) to acquire The Extra Mile (EMM), the battery anode materials subsidiary of Belgium-based global materials technology leader Umicore, through the establishment of a joint venture with Umicore. The transaction is expected to close following customary regulatory approvals in the coming months.

Umicore is a global enterprise with over a century of history and cutting-edge materials technology, combining metals recycling and processing expertise with world-leading R&D and production capabilities across key sectors such as batteries, catalysts, semiconductors, and aerospace.

• Silicon Anode Material: A Game-Changer for Next-Generation Batteries

Silicon anode material is widely regarded as a game-changer in next-generation battery technology.

Applied to the battery's anode, it offers energy densities up to ten times higher than conventional graphite anodes and enables rapid charging, significantly reducing electric vehicle charging time.

These advantages directly enhance charging efficiency, driving range, and cost competitiveness, making silicon anodes a focal point for global automakers and battery manufacturers.

As other battery materials approach their technological limits, silicon anodes represent the field with the greatest potential for future innovation.

The global battery market continues to expand rapidly. By 2024, electric vehicles accounted for over 20% of new car sales, a figure projected to reach 25% in 2025 and nearly 40% (47 million units annually) by 2030.

Moreover, new applications such as robotics and drones, driven by the AI revolution, are further accelerating battery demand.

These industries require high-capacity, high-energy-density, and fast-charging solutions—precisely the advantages silicon anodes provide.

According to QY Research, the global silicon anode material market is projected to grow at an average annual rate of around 40%, from USD 500 million in 2024 to approximately USD 4.7 billion by 2031.

SNE Research forecasts the market could reach USD 7 billion by 2035.

Industry experts believe this technology could also enable expansion into fine chemicals and specialty materials fields such as semiconductors and cosmetics.

• Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-Sang: Driving Value Creation through Technology and AI

Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-Sang is known for his management philosophy centered on value creation through technology, intellectual assets, and AI utilization.

Recently, he has expanded his focus to enterprise AI and physical AI, seen as next-generation AI technologies.

He has also maintained close collaboration and active exchanges with global companies possessing advanced technological and intellectual property capabilities.

It is reported that Vice Chairman Cho personally visited Umicore multiple times.

To finalize the agreement at what he identified as a critical timing window, as the EV industry begins to emerge from a prolonged stagnation and regain momentum, he personally led several overnight negotiations between the two companies—despite his concurrent duties as ABAC Chair during APEC preparations.

Through this initiative, HS Hyosung Group has further strengthened its growth portfolio, expanding into high-potential sectors such as carbon fiber (used in aerospace, future mobility, defense, and energy), battery materials, and AI/DX business models.

These additions complement its existing foundation in tire cord and advanced mobility materials, positioning the Group for sustainable long-term growth.

• Investment in Ulsan: Strengthening Domestic Industry and Job Creation

Following the acquisition, HS Hyosung plans to invest KRW 1.5 trillion over the next five years to establish large-scale silicon anode production capacity.

Ulsan, the birthplace of Hyosung Group 60 years ago, has been selected as the first investment site.

Although most operations have since relocated overseas—except for aramid fiber and automotive materials—the new investment is expected to reshore advanced production and create high-value domestic jobs.

By investing in core materials for next-generation batteries, one of South Korea's strategic industries, HS Hyosung aims to enhance the nation's global supply chain competitiveness across key sectors such as semiconductors, shipbuilding, and defense.

• Earns Platinum Medal from EcoVadis for sustainability performance
• Strengthens 2050 Net-Zero Commitment and Expands Global ESG Risk Management Framework

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HS Hyosung Advanced Materials has earned the Platinum Medal, the highest grade, in the 2025 sustainability assessment conducted by Ecovadis. EcoVadis is a leading independent provider of corporate sustainability ratings and supply chain ESG assessments.

In this year's comprehensive evaluation, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials was recognized for its superior performance across all measured categories: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics & Fair Business Practices, and Sustainable Procurement. This outstanding outcome placed the company in the top 1% of the more than 130,000 companies assessed worldwide. Prior to this, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials had secured the Gold Medal for three consecutive years starting in 2021.

This recognition reflects HS Hyosung Advanced Materials' demonstrated progress in reducing carbon emissions and strengthening sustainability governance, including its Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-verified emissions reduction goals and 2050 Net-Zero roadmap. The company also conducted comprehensive human rights impact assessments across its global operations, implemented a supplier ESG risk monitoring and on-site audit program, and enhanced compliance and ethics systems across its international subsidiaries.

HS Hyosung Advanced Materials' leadership in sustainability has also been validated by other independent benchmarks, including an A rating from the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability (KCGS) for four consecutive years, and two consecutive years of inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Korea Index (DJSI Korea). Together, these sustained achievements underpin the company's Platinum recognition from EcoVadis.

Headquartered in France, EcoVadis is a globally recognized provider of business sustainability ratings that evaluates companies worldwide across four key themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics & Fair Business Practices, and Sustainable Procurement. Based on performance, the top 1% of companies received Platinum recognition, followed by Gold (top 3%), Silver (top 15%), and Bronze (top 35%).

Jin Dal Lim, CEO of HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, commented, "Earning the EcoVadis Platinum Medal for the second consecutive year is a testament to our organization's is a testament to how deeply sustainability is embedded across our operations. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, transparency, and accountability across our global supply chain. We remain focused on accelerating our climate action strategy and driving social impact initiatives that strengthen stakeholder trust and long-term business value."

In parallel, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials continues to embed ESG priorities across its operations through four core focus areas of its global sustainability framework: 'Zero Harm' for workplace safety and health; 'Zero Emissions' for decarbonization and low-carbon materials innovation; 'Zero Waste' for resource efficiency and circularity; and 'Zero Impact' for responsible value-chain stewardship. This framework is overseen by the company's Sustainability Management Committee, chaired by the CEO, with specialized subcommittees driving implementation across the enterprise. Through this structure, the company aims to create measurable value for customers, investors, and society while contributing to a more sustainable future.

• Strategic raw material agreement supports the plan to triple eco-friendly steel tire cord sales by 2027
• Expands sustainable product portfolio to align with global tire manufacturers' low-carbon sourcing goals

SEOUL, South Korea, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tata Steel (Thailand) on June 18th for the procurement of lower-carbon steel wire materials.

Under the agreement, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS will secure a reliable supply of low-emission steel wire materials required for the production of steel tire cord. Tata Steel (Thailand), a subsidiary of India's Tata Group, uses electric arc furnace (EAF) technology to produce steel from recycled scrap metal. Compared to traditional blast furnace operations, EAF production achieves significantly higher energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions by approximately 60%. By utilizing these materials as raw inputs, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS can produce and supply eco-friendly steel tire cords with significantly reduced carbon footprints.

Given their higher margins compared to traditional steel products, eco-friendly steel tire cords are expected to strengthen the profitability and competitiveness of HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS' steel tire cord operations. 

"We are pleased to formalize this agreement, which ensures long-term access to environmentally responsible steel," said Nak Yang Seong, CEO of HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS. "This aligns with our strategy to support global tire makers in their shift toward sustainable materials."

Steel tire cords produced by HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS are crucial reinforcement materials that enhance tire durability and maintain shape stability. The importance of high-strength steel cords is growing alongside the expanding electric vehicle tire market. Furthermore, as demand for sustainable raw materials grows across developed markets, particularly in Europe, sales of eco-friendly steel tire cords are steadily rising. HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS aims to expand the sales share of its eco-friendly steel tire cord products from 5% in 2025 to 15% in 2027.

HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS' commitment to sustainability management was recognized last October when the company received the Platinum Medal from EcoVadis — the highest distinction awarded to the top 1% of over 130,000 companies across 180+ countries by the global supply chain ESG ratings provider. In December, the company was also added to the Dow Jones Sustainable Management Index (DJSI) Korea for the second consecutive year, one of global leading ESG benchmarks.