[Photo Caption]
The interior of a modular classroom at Banyawol Elementary School in Daegu, where biomass color-coated steel plates have been applied. [Photo provided by POSCO Steeleon]
POSCO Steeleon Supplies Biomass Color-Coated Steel Plates for Modular Schools[Herald Business = Reporter Kim Ji-yoon] POSCO Steeleon announced on the 10th that it will supply its "biomass color-coated steel plates" for movable modular schools. Biomass color-coated steel is a product that uses biomass extracted from plants and microorganisms in its paint—the primary raw material—instead of fossil fuels. In advanced countries like the U.S. and Japan, a radiocarbon ($^{14}C$) content of 25% or higher is the standard for measuring the eco-friendly performance of biomass-based products. Radiocarbon exists only in naturally derived substances and is absent in petroleum-based materials.In February of this year, POSCO Steeleon’s biomass color-coated steel recorded a content level of 26% in tests conducted by Beta Analytic, a testing agency for the U.S. certification body "UL." Furthermore, the product is highly resistant to corrosion as it uses "PosMAC," POSCO’s signature high-corrosion-resistant steel, as its base material.POSCO Steeleon supplies these color-coated steel plates to PLANM, a leading Korean modular manufacturer. Modular construction is a type of prefabricated building where the primary parts of a structure are manufactured in a factory and then installed on-site. Compared to reinforced concrete structures, this method shortens the construction period by 40% to 60%, generates less waste, and reduces noise and dust.The movable modular schools by PLANM are being utilized in the "Green Smart Future School" project, a government-led initiative to modernize aging school facilities. These modular schools, equipped with biomass color-coated steel plates, are provided as temporary classrooms required during school renovation periods.Starting with the modular classrooms at Banyawol Elementary School in Daegu, completed this September, POSCO Steeleon and PLANM plan to supply modular classrooms to more than 100 schools by next year.An official from POSCO Steeleon stated, "Currently, 25% of the approximately 25,000 elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide are facing aging issues. We expect the supply of modular classrooms for environmental improvement to continue increasing."
