South Korea Completes Construction of World’s First CVD Graphene Film Production Plant

South Korea has completed the construction of the world’s first mass-production plant for chemical vapour deposition (CVD) graphene film, a breakthrough material crucial for next-generation electronics and battery technologies, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources announced on Tuesday.

The facility, owned by Graphene Square Inc., a leading domestic producer of graphene film, is located in the southeastern city of Pohang. A completion ceremony was held to mark the milestone, according to details shared by the ministry and reported by Yonhap news agency.

Graphene film is an ultra-thin, continuous sheet prized for its exceptional flexibility, transparency, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity. These properties make it an essential material for flexible displays, wearable devices, advanced batteries, and other high-performance electronic applications.

Officials noted that the new plant will support Pohang—historically a hub of South Korea’s steel industry—in diversifying its industrial base and nurturing new growth sectors.
“Graphene is a key material that will determine the competitiveness of advanced industries,” a ministry official said, adding that the government will introduce further measures to support the sector’s development.

Separately, South Korea urged the European Union to take steps to safeguard Korean companies amid the EU’s plans to impose tougher steel protection measures. The appeal was made during the 13th Committee on Trade in Goods meeting held in Seoul as part of the Korea-EU free trade agreement framework, which has been in force since 2011.

During the discussions, Seoul highlighted the potential impact of the EU’s proposed steel quota reductions and tariff hikes, stressing that Korea remains a reliable partner in addressing global steel oversupply. Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed cutting tariff-free steel import quotas by 47 percent and raising tariffs on excess imports from 25 percent to 50 percent. The new proposal is expected to replace the EU’s current steel safeguards, which expire in June 2026.

With inputs from IANS