LS Group Posts Record Revenue and Operating Profit, Expands U.S. Battery Materials
South Korea’s LS Group said on the 12th that it posted record-high revenue and operating profit last year, helped by a buoyant global power infrastructure cycle. The group noted that this marked the strongest results since its founding in 2003.
For 2025, the 12 affiliates reported revenue of 45.7223 trillion won and operating profit of 1.4884 trillion won, up 9.1% and 23.1% from the previous year, respectively, both record highs. The gains were driven primarily by its core units in cables and electrical equipment.
LS Cable & Wire and LS Electric led the growth with turnkey solutions across power grids and AI data centers. Their product mix includes ultra-high-voltage cables, undersea cables, ultra-high-voltage transformers, switchgear, and bus ducts. The group said its backlog in the United States and Europe exceeded 12 trillion won, underpinning mid- to long-term growth momentum.
LS MnM benefited from higher copper prices and improved profitability from sulfuric acid and precious metals. Other key affiliates, including LS Mtron, E1, and INVENI, also saw improved operating performance through stronger positions in the North American injection-molding market, better LPG trading results, and enhanced investment profitability.
Beyond traditional infrastructure, LS is accelerating growth in materials and minerals essential for next-generation batteries and electronics. The group is focusing on precursors, nickel sulfate, and rare-earth permanent magnets, aligning with demand from electric vehicles, wind energy, and advanced manufacturing.
LS is expanding battery-material capabilities through LS-L&F Battery Solutions and LS MnM, with plans to build precursor and nickel-sulfate plants at Saemangeum and Onsan national industrial complexes in Korea. It is also discussing a rare-earth permanent-magnet plant in Virginia, in collaboration with U.S. partners, to support critical components for high-tech industries.
Over the next five years, LS aims to invest about 7 trillion won domestically and 5 trillion won overseas, with a target to grow assets to 50 trillion won by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030. The plan seeks to diversify its portfolio and strengthen global competitiveness.
Why this matters to the United States: LS’s expansion into high-value electrical infrastructure, battery materials, and rare-earth magnets aligns with U.S. interests in securing diversified supply chains for electric vehicles, data centers, wind and aerospace technologies, and defense-related sectors. A stronger U.S.-Korea collaboration could influence cross-border investment, technology transfer, and joint manufacturing in critical sectors, potentially affecting global markets and security-sensitive supply chains.