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Hyosung TNC is a specialist in textile solutions, particularly in the sustainability space. The South Korean manufacturer is one of the world’s largest suppliers of spandex – also known as elastane in the UK – the stretch fibre of functional gym kits and comfortable leggings worn all around the world – and it is driving the industry forward with its technical innovations, delivering performance perks, as well as benefits for the planet.
Leaders in sportswear, denim and luxury rely on Hyosung's sustainable fibres to develop fabrics which exceed customer expectations, as well as help them progress towards their sustainability targets.
Hyosung already offers a range of stretch technology under its Creora and Regen brands, some of which feature certified 100% recycled elastane and fibres partly made from renewable, plant-based resources.
However, in March it announced its newest development: a partnership with sustainable material and technology leader Geno to create the world’s first fully integrated manufacturing site for Bio BDO elastane, from renewable raw material to fibre. The new venture is backed by $1bn (£800m) in investment from Hyosung to expand the existing elastane manufacturing plant to produce Bio BDO, commencing 2026.
BDO is the technical name for butanediol, a chemical traditionally made from fossil fuels and a major ingredient in the manufacture of elastane. Through proven plant-based Geno BDO technology, which ferments sugars derived from sugarcane to replace the fossil raw materials such as coal, Hyosung’s new facility can produce certified bio-based elastane from renewable resources that, it says, show no differences in physical properties to classic elastane made with unsustainable fossil fuels.
“Hyosung’s initiative in collaboration with Geno signals a massive shift in the $6bn (£4.77bn) per year BDO market that has traditionally sourced their feedstock from coal in China,” say Sasha Calder, head of impact at Geno. “We’re proud that Geno’s proven technology is powering and accelerating the materials transition, at scale.”
Hyosung believes its investment of $1bn (£800m) in its future Bio BDO business underlines its commitment to building “a better tomorrow”.
Drapers meets Hyosung’s global sustainability director – textiles, Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, to find out more.
What is Hyosung TNC?
Hyosung is a complete solutions provider that aims to offer sustainable and continuous innovation to the textile industry. We are one of the world’s largest manufacturers of elastane, supplying a broad range of stretch fibre offerings, and our specialty nylon and polyester provide the recycled, functional performance demanded by the leading fashion and footwear brands.
We follow a B2B2C (business to business to consumer) model, meaning that to help support the fashion industry, we adopt a consultative-sales approach, working directly with brands and retailers to “pull through” our innovations along the value chain all the way to the end consumer.
We collaborate with brands and retailers to understand their challenges around sustainability, sourcing, and evolving regulations, and provide fibre solutions to help solve these problems.
We then connect with our mill partners around the world to help deliver what the brand or retail customer needs.
Given changing legislation and consumer awareness, we also work with brand and retail partners to convey the performance and sustainability benefits of our fibre within their garments to the final customer.
Which markets does Hyosung work in?
We focus on five main areas: lingerie/swim; active/outdoor; denim; luxury/ready to wear; and retail.
Hyosung has recently announced an investment of $1bn (£800m) in its future Bio business. Tell us about this.
As part of our corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and supporting the wider textile industry to meet evolving sustainability goals, we have partnered with sustainable materials developer Geno to start construction of new facilities at our plant in Vietnam. It will produce Bio BDO (butanediol) derived from sugar cane, commencing in the second quarter of 2026.
Through plant-based Geno BDO technology, which ferments sugars derived from sugar cane to replace the fossil raw materials, Hyosung can build upon the successful launch of its extensive range of certified Regen Bio elastane products already adopted by leading global brands.
Hyosung’s partnership with Geno establishes a fully integrated manufacturing site for bio-based elastane. It will fast track the production of Bio BDO with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons in the second half of 2026 – with the aim of expanding capacity up to a total of 200,000 tons a year to meet expected industry demands of Bio BDO across multiple end-uses, such as fashion, footwear, automotive and packaging.
With global supply chain issues continuing to disrupt business, why is the fully integrated production system advantageous?
Integrated production in one location in Vietnam will mean a significantly reduced carbon footprint, faster response time and a more robust supply chain.
What is Hyosung Regen Bio? What makes it special from a sustainability point of view?
Regen is Hyosung’s sustainable fibre brand name, encompassing 100% recycled fibres such as Regen elastane, nylon, and polyester, and those crafted from renewable, plant-based resources, such as elastane branded as Regen Bio elastane.
Regen Bio elastane is a range of elastane fibres partly made from renewable, plant-based resources. The fibre offers the same high performance as virgin elastane – such as power, stretch, recovery, shape retention, uniformity and runnability – but with the added benefits of much lower impact on the environment than fossil-fuel based products. For example, our present product provides 20% reduction in carbon emissions, 50% less water use, and 7% less land use compared with production of 1kg standard elastane. This is fully substantiated with independent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data and third-party certifications from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS)/International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+).
What would you say is the biggest benefit of Hyosung Regen Bio elastane?
As legislation continues to evolve, brands and retailers all have different strategies and that is why we offer a range of different solutions, such as bio-based or recycled. To make meaningful change, the industry needs to align in key areas, such as circularity and carbon reduction. Replacing fossil fuel ingredients with renewable resources means that Regen Bio elastane offers a significant reduction in carbon emissions during its production, which in turn will help brands and retailers meet their corporate sustainability goals.
We aim to achieve up to 80%* carbon reduction for our bio-based elastane products produced in Vietnam by 2026 (*as determined by our internal metrics. After the product launch, we will provide comprehensive third-party LCA data).
Hyosung will present its new Regen Bio Elastane and additional sustainable textile solutions at the forthcoming Future Fabrics Expo taking place 25-26 June at Magazine London.
To find out more, please contact: creora@hyosung.com
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