POSCO Holdings (POSCO), one of the world’s leading steelmakers, has deepened its engagement with the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC).

The South Korean company has moved from International Trading Partner to Key Partner status to enable closer involvement in HILT CRC’s collaborative research program and a more active role in shaping and participating in projects.

POSCO joined HILT CRC in 2025 as the first organisation admitted under the International Trading Partner category, a tier designed to connect major global companies with HILT CRC’s collaborative ecosystem. Becoming a Key Partner opens the door to direct participation in HILT CRC research projects along with further benefits.

As a Key Partner, POSCO will be able to nominate representatives to HILT CRC’s Research Advisory Committees, nominate research priorities to the HILT Steering Committee, participate in multiple projects, and access the CRC’s industry PhD internships program.

HILT CRC CEO Jenny Selway said the move reflected the value POSCO saw in deeper research engagement through HILT CRC’s industry-led model.

“POSCO’s decision to become a Key Partner is a strong endorsement of the value of collaborative research in tackling the challenge of industrial decarbonisation,” Ms Selway said.

“Having engaged with HILT CRC as our first International Trading Partner, POSCO is taking the next step to contribute directly to projects, help shape research priorities, and work more closely with other HILT partners on practical pathways for low-emission iron and steelmaking.”

POSCO sources a substantial proportion of its iron ore from Australia, and its expanded partnership with HILT CRC further strengthens ties between Australian R&D capabilities and one of the world’s major steel producers.

The move reflects the importance of international collaboration in developing, testing, scaling and deploying the technologies needed for a lower-emissions steel value chain. This is a priority for the governments of both Australia and the Republic of Korea, which are collaborating on climate and industrial decarbonisation initiatives including the Green Economy Partnership Arrangement on Climate and Energy.

Jinchul Baung, POSCO’s primary representative for the partnership, said the move would enable the company to engage more directly in the work being undertaken through HILT CRC.

“Our initial involvement with HILT CRC confirmed the value of its collaborative ecosystem and the quality of its research network,” Mr Baung said.

“Moving to Key Partner will allow POSCO to participate more directly in projects and work more closely with HILT CRC partners on technologies and knowledge that support the transition to lower-emissions iron and steel production.”

The partnership expansion reinforces HILT CRC’s role in bringing together industry and researchers to accelerate innovation and de-risk decarbonisation pathways for heavy industry.

Media contact
Adam Barclay, Communications and Marketing Manager, HILT CRC
Mobile: +61 405 357 468, email adam.barclay@hiltcrc.com.au