Invest KOREA

The Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex is being established in Guryongpo-eup, Donghae-myeon, and Janggi-myeon in Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The Blue Valley National Industrial Complex has a total area of 6.08 million2 and a total project cost of KRW 736 billion. The construction project began in 2009 and is divided into two phases (Phase 1 of 2.9 million2 and phase 2 of 3.1 million2). The first phase was completed in March 2021, and the final phase is scheduled to be completed in December 2025.

Pohang is home to more than 30 secondary battery-related companies, mostly in the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex and the Yeongilman General Industrial Complex. With industry leaders such as ECOPRO and POSCO Future M, Pohang boasts the biggest global market share in anode materials. Most notably, the high-nickel anode materials produced in Pohang are recognized as the best in the world.

The Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex and the Yeongilman Industrial Complex were selected by the government in July 2023 to specialize in secondary batteries and power the country’s strategic high-tech industries. In 2023 alone, the two complexes attracted the largest investment in their history of KRW 7.4 trillion. Out of the amount, KRW 5.6 trillion will go to the secondary battery sector, with a total of KRW 14 trillion of private investment planned by 2027. Employment has also been booming, with more than 3,000 new jobs created in 2023 alone. Thanks to this upward trend, sites in the Pohang Blue Valley National Industrial Complex are virtually sold out.

Rather than being content with these achievements, Pohang has set an ambitious goal of becoming the world's No. 1 secondary battery city by 2030 by producing one million tons of cathode materials, selling KRW 70 trillion, and employing 15,000 workers. The city is set out to become a global secondary battery hub by building a value chain in the battery sector.

Meanwhile, the long-term growth has triggered high demands for power and water. According to a survey by the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the Blue Valley National Industrial Park alone needs 644 MW of additional power, and the shortage is being addressed by installing new substations and revising existing power supply contracts.

However, the situation is more frustrating with water supply as authorities have yet to find a viable solution. Relevant ministries and local governments will need to actively address the water issue before the completion of the Blue Valley National Industrial Park and full-scale operation of factories to ensure that the insufficient infrastructure do not disrupt production activities.