POSCO has broken ground on the 8CGL at its Gwangyang Steel Works in South Jeolla Province, investing 480 billion won (about $357 million) in a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet line for automotive outer panels. The facility is targeted for completion in 2028, will produce 450,000 tons annually and lift POSCO’s total hot-dip galvanized steel sheet capacity to 4.95 million tons. It is POSCO’s first new plant in this segment since the 500,000-ton 7CGL was completed at Gwangyang in 2017. The line will be linked to a new electric arc furnace, use ultra-high-temperature heat treatment for electric-furnace steel sheets, and produce wider materials for mid-to-large SUVs and recreational vehicles. POSCO also plans to deploy artificial intelligence and robots to improve production efficiency, quality and workplace safety. The investment supports POSCO Group’s mobility-materials strategy and broader expansion of low-carbon steel production in South Korea, the United States, India and Indonesia.