Sanghwi Lee Named Posco Master Engineer... First in the Refractory Sector

Doubling the Lifespan of Refractories

Sanghwi Lee, Team Leader of the Nojae Group at Posco Gwangyang Steelworks, who has dedicated 38 years to facility work in the refractory sector, has been recognized as a 'Master Engineer,' the highest technical honor at Posco.

POSCO Master, Lee Sanghwi, Team Leader of Nojae Group at Gwangyang Steelworks. POSCO

On July 15, Posco announced during its company operations meeting that it has selected Sanghwi Lee, Team Leader of the Nojae Group at the Gwangyang Steelworks, as this year's 'Posco Master Engineer' and held an official appointment ceremony.

The Posco Master Engineer system was established in 2015 to select employees with world-class technical expertise and exemplary character, aimed at advancing and passing down steelmaking technologies to future generations. Evaluation is based not only on technical skills but also on contributions to the company and character. Master Engineers are given special promotions, rewards, and additional leave. Even after retirement, they may continue to nurture juniors and transfer their skills as technical consultants.

Master Engineer Lee, who joined the Nojae Department at the Gwangyang Steelworks in 1988, has served as an on-site expert, overseeing maintenance and repair of refractory systems and driving technical improvements. In particular, he was recognized for developing 'Optimized Furnace Refractory Design and Lifecycle Extension Technology,' which more than doubled the lifespan of refractories and contributed to greater maintenance efficiency and reduction of opportunity loss costs.

The Nojae sector is a key field that protects high-temperature steelmaking equipment such as blast furnaces and converters and ensures stable operation. Master Engineer Lee also became the first Master Engineer chosen from the refractory sector since the institution of the Posco Master Engineer system.

At the appointment ceremony, he stated, "I am grateful that the efforts I have made on site over many years have led to the great honor of being named Posco Master Engineer. Refractories are a crucial field in protecting core plant equipment and supporting stable operations, so I will do my utmost to pass on technical know-how and nurture future experts so that juniors can take pride in their work."

Posco CEO Hee-Keun Lee remarked, "The Posco Master Engineer is a symbol of how the technology and expertise accumulated in the field are recognized as the source of the company’s competitiveness. I hope they will serve as a strong center that leads innovation on the ground and passes on technical knowledge and sense of duty to junior colleagues."

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