Hyosung Chairman, Hyun-Joon Cho’s strategy to expand the group’s bio-based materials business has reached a commercial milestone, with Hyosung TNC beginning bio-BDO production in Vietnam and completing an integrated production network from sugarcane-derived raw materials to finished bio-based spandex.
Recognizing the growth potential of bio-based materials and evolving sourcing priorities, Cho has made the business a strategic focus for the group. Under his leadership, Hyosung TNC has expanded its innovation portfolio, from regen™ fibers made from recycled PET bottles and discarded fishing nets to the commercialization of corn-based regen™ BIO spandex in 2022.
“We have established an integrated production system that connects bio-based raw materials with finished spandex fiber,” said Cho. “This will be a core pillar of Hyosung’s next century. Building on our pioneering work in bio-based fibers, we aim to lead the development of this market and strengthen Hyosung’s position in premium textiles worldwide.”
Hyosung’s Vietnam bio-BDO facility has an initial production capacity of 50,000 metric tons per year. As part of a planned US$1 billion investment in the project, the company intends to increase annual capacity in phases to 200,000 metric tons, in line with market demand.
The facility produces bio-based 1,4-butanediol (bio-BDO) by fermenting sugars derived from sugarcane, replacing fossil-based feedstocks used in conventional BDO production.
Chemically identical to conventional BDO, it enables the use of renewable feedstocks while maintaining the same stretch, recovery and quality in the finished spandex fiber.
Bio-BDO is supplied to the company’s Dong Nai operations and converted into PTMG, a key intermediate used to manufacture regen™ BIO spandex, also known as elastane.
Connecting these stages across southern Vietnam is designed to strengthen supply reliability, improve production efficiency and reduce transportation requirements.
For sportswear, intimate, swimwear and denim, regen™ BIO spandex delivers stretch and recovery equivalent to conventional spandex. Sugarcane sourcing and traceability are verified through the VIVE Sustainable Program, while bio-based content is certified under SGS’s Environmentally Evaluated Product Scheme (EEPS). These credentials support growing interest from premium fashion brands seeking consistent performance and documented material sourcing.
Beyond textiles, Hyosung TNC plans to supply bio-based chemical intermediates for applications including thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) used in automotive interiors and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a resin used in biodegradable plastics.
Hyosung TNC is sharing insights into bio-based spandex adoption at PERFORMANCE DAYS in Munich (October 13–14), the Textile Exchange Conference in Vancouver (October 12–16), and Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, OR (October 27–28). Brands and industry partners are invited to connect with the team to explore regen™ BIO spandex applications and discuss product development and sourcing opportunities.
