Lower carbon footprint*, faster supply, responsible feedstock

Hyosung TNC, the largest manufacturer of spandex by market share, announces that production of its new regen™ BIO Spandex derived from sugarcane is underway, a major development that began in 2024 with the company’s $1 billion investment in a new bio BDO (Butanediol) plant in Vietnam close to its established spandex manufacturing facility.

From Fossil Inputs to Bio-Based Innovation: Rethinking Spandex at the Source
BDO is a chemical traditionally made from non-renewable resources used to make PTMG (Polytetramethylene ether glycol), the key raw material used in spandex. In partnership with Geno, a sustainable materials leader, Hyosung TNC can now produce bio BDO directly from sugarcane through a one step process that replaces fossil fuel consumption and reduces carbon emissions.

“With this development, Hyosung TNC is the first to establish the world’s only vertically integrated production system from bio-based BDO to bio-based spandex ensuring reliable production and supply stability without compromising the fibre’s performance,” said Sora Yoo, Vice President Marketing, Hyosung TNC.

The company’s bio BDO facility has an annual production capacity of up to 50,000 tons of bio-BDO, with the potential to scale up to 200,000 tons per year over time.

For complete transparency, the sugarcane feedstock, sourced from Brazil, is verified under the VIVE Programme.

Hyosung TNC will showcase is new regen™ BIO Spandex at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen this May 5 -7 where it will be a principal sponsor.

* Final data will be validated and updated based on a 3rd party LCA.

For more information, visit https://www.hyosungtextile.com/en