POSCO AIR SOLUTION secures AS9100D for aerospace-grade xenon and krypton
- First in Asia to receive AS9100D aerospace and defense quality management certification from LRQA for high-purity rare gases.
- Completed a high-purity rare gas plant in June at the Donghoan site of Gwangyang Steelworks with 130,000 Nm³ annual capacity and a full domestic value chain for four rare gases.
- Xenon and krypton used in Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) electric thruster tests demonstrated performance equivalent to imported products.
- Plans to expand supply beyond semiconductors to aerospace and defense launch propulsion systems as part of POSCO Group’s Triple Core strategic-resources strategy.
Certification
POSCO AIR SOLUTION became the first company in Asia to receive the AS9100D aerospace and defense quality management system certification from LRQA for production of high-purity rare gases, marking compliance with aerospace-specific requirements for product safety, process consistency, full traceability and risk management. A certificate presentation was held on August 6 with company and LRQA Korea representatives.
Production capacity and validation
In June the company completed a high-purity rare gas production plant at the Donghoan site of Gwangyang Steelworks with an annual capacity of 130,000 normal cubic meters (Nm³), establishing a domestic value chain from raw-material procurement to manufacturing for four rare gases and a stable mass-production system. Tests by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) on electric thruster propellant technology showed the company’s xenon and krypton delivered performance equivalent to imported products.
Business direction and group strategy
POSCO AIR SOLUTION intends to expand beyond semiconductors and displays to supply high-purity xenon and krypton for launch propulsion systems and aerospace/defense applications. This move aligns with POSCO Group’s July announcement to prioritise strategic resources under a “Triple Core” system—industrial resources, strategic resources (including lithium, rare earths and rare gases) and energy resources—to create new growth engines and stabilise national supply chains.
Source: POSCO