Seoul, Nov 18 (NationPress) The world's inaugural mass production facility for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene film, a crucial element utilized in cutting-edge electronics and batteries, has officially been completed in South Korea, as announced by the industry ministry on Tuesday.

The completion ceremony for the plant, owned by Graphene Square Inc., a local graphene film manufacturer, took place in the southeastern city of Pohang, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

A graphene film is an ultrathin and continuous layer widely used in flexible displays, wearable electronics, and advanced batteries, recognized for its flexibility, transparency, and exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity.

The plant is anticipated to provide new growth opportunities for Pohang, a significant steel production hub located approximately 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the ministry stated.

According to a ministry official, "Graphene is an essential material that will shape the competitiveness of advanced industries," while promising measures to support the industry's growth.

In addition, South Korea urged the European Union to protect Korean companies during the recent round of their free trade agreement (FTA) committee meeting, in light of the EU's plans to implement stricter steel safeguard measures.

The two parties convened for the 13th Committee on Trade in Goods meeting in Seoul to discuss tariff and non-tariff issues amidst the rising trend of global trade protectionism, as per the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. This committee was formed following the implementation of the bilateral FTA between Korea and the EU in 2011.

During the meeting, Seoul urged the EU to create a "favorable" resolution to the potential impacts on Korean firms resulting from the new steel protection plan, emphasizing that Korea is a "trusted" partner in addressing global steel oversupply.

Earlier this year, the European Commission proposed cutting tariff-free quotas on foreign steel by 47% and increasing tariffs on imports exceeding the quota from 25% to 50%, citing the need to safeguard the EU's steel industry.

This proposal is set to replace the EU's current steel safeguard measures, which are scheduled to expire in June 2026.