Hyosung showcases world’s first bio spandex at Seoul textile exhibition

Hyosung TNC Corp., a South Korean textile and yarn maker, is showcasing the world’s first commercialized plant-based spandex at an international textile exhibition in Seoul.

Hyosung TNC, the world’s largest spandex manufacturer, said on Wednesday it will unveil an eco-friendly synthetic fiber, dubbed creora bio-based spandex, at Preview in Seoul 2022.

The exhibition, which runs through Friday at COEX, is Korea’s largest textile and fiber show with 311 Korean and foreign textile and fashion companies in attendance.

Hyosung said its creora bio-based spandex, made from corn, received eco-product certification from Standard Global Services (SGS), a leading inspection and verification company, in July.

The spandex replaces 30% of petroleum-based ingredients with bio-based raw materials derived from industrial field corn, also known as dent corn, according to Hyosung.

The company said it will partner with Shinsung Tongsang Co., which owns casual clothing brands such as Topten and ZIOZIA, to launch various fashion products.

TAEKWANG, DAEHAN AT THE SHOW

Taekwang Industry Co. and Daehan Synthetic Fiber Co. are also participating in the textile show.

The two affiliates of Taekwang Group said they will showcase their eco-friendly textile products made with recycled polyester, nylon and spandex at Preview in Seoul 2022.

Hyosung TNC, known for decades as a nylon and fiber yarn maker, is no stranger to the environmentally friendly fiber market.

The company’s “regen” is Korea’s first eco-friendly polyester yarn made of substances extracted from recycled PET bottles. Made of 100% recycled material, regen dramatically reduces landfill waste and CO2 emissions.

The Hyosung Group unit has been accelerating its entry into the global eco-friendly market as demand for such products is rising among businesses looking to boost their enterprise value as a “green company.”

In February of last year, the company launched its own eco-friendly clothing brand G3H10 to become a fashion trendsetter.

In Korea, local eco-fashion brand Pleatsmama Co. makes clothes and bags comprised solely of Hyosung TNC's recycled regen polyester.

Write to Kyung-Min Kang at Kkm1026@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.