LS Materials is strategically advancing into the future mobility components market.
On May 15, the company announced that its subsidiary, HAIMK, has completed construction of a high-strength aluminum parts production facility in the Gumi National Industrial Complex, located in North Gyeongsang Province. HAIMK was established in collaboration with Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI), a renowned Austrian aluminum components leader.
The new factory's completion represents the first instance of establishing a high-quality lightweight components production system in Asia, previously concentrated in Europe. This development is significant for diversifying supply chains and internalizing technology.
Aluminum parts from this newly opened facility are expected to be over 10% lighter yet stronger than existing alternatives. This enhancement is anticipated to improve the driving efficiency, battery performance, and safety of next-generation mobility solutions, including electric vehicles (EVs) and urban air mobility (UAM).
To address the temporary slowdown in the EV market, LS Materials will also manufacture parts for internal combustion engine vehicles. The company plans to solidify its position in the EV component market by advancing its technology and collaborating with automakers.
The new plant spans approximately 13,747 square meters and has the capacity to produce parts for 300,000 electric vehicles annually. Key products include crash boxes for energy absorption during collisions, side sills serving as vehicle side frames, and aluminum profiles and battery pack cases for battery protection.
HAIMK aims to commence mass production in the latter half of this year and achieve annual sales of 200 billion won by 2030. This target represents about 1.4 times LS Materials' 2024 sales projection of 142.1 billion won.
Young-ho Hong, CEO of LS Materials, expressed, "We are in discussions with major domestic automakers for supply agreements, aiming to secure a leadership position in the mobility market with high-strength, lightweight components. Our factory's completion marks a significant step in accelerating our future growth initiatives."
