POSCO Holdings has expanded its partnership with the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC), moving from International Trading Partner to Key Partner status to deepen its involvement in collaborative research on industrial decarbonisation.
The South Korean steelmaker joined HILT CRC in 2025 as the first organisation under the International Trading Partner category, a tier designed to connect major global companies with the CRC’s research ecosystem.
According to HILT CRC, the transition to Key Partner status enables more direct participation in projects and a greater role in shaping research priorities.
Under the new arrangement, POSCO can nominate representatives to HILT CRC’s Research Advisory Committees, propose research priorities to the HILT Steering Committee, participate in multiple projects and access the organisation’s industry PhD internship program.
HILT CRC Chief Executive Officer Jenny Selway said the development reflected the value the company places on deeper research engagement through the centre’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, one of the world’s largest steel producers, sources a significant proportion of its iron ore from Australia. The expanded partnership is expected to strengthen links between Australian research and development capabilities and global steel production.
The move comes amid broader efforts by Australia and the Republic of Korea to collaborate on climate and industrial decarbonisation initiatives, including the Green Economy Partnership Arrangement on Climate and Energy, highlighting the role of international cooperation in developing and scaling lower-emissions technologies across the steel value chain.
Jinchul Baung, POSCO’s primary representative for the partnership, said the company’s initial involvement had demonstrated the benefits of the CRC’s collaborative model.
“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.”
