Hyosung TNC has officially commenced commercial bio-BDO production at its facility in Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in the group’s bio-based materials strategy. The development completes an integrated production network stretching from sugarcane-derived raw materials all the way through to finished bio-based spandex fiber.
The move reflects Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho’s long-standing focus on bio-based materials as a core growth area for the Hyosung Group. Recognizing both the commercial potential and evolving sourcing priorities across global fashion and textile markets, Cho has positioned bio-based innovation at the heart of the group’s direction. Under his leadership, Hyosung TNC has steadily expanded its sustainable materials portfolio — from regenâ„¢ fibers made using recycled PET bottles and discarded fishing nets to the commercialization of corn-based regenâ„¢ BIO spandex back in 2022.
An Integrated Supply Chain from Sugarcane to Spandex
The Vietnam facility produces bio-based 1,4-butanediol, commonly referred to as bio-BDO, through a fermentation process that converts sugars derived from sugarcane into a chemical intermediate that replaces the fossil-based feedstocks used in conventional BDO manufacturing. While the production process is fundamentally different, the resulting bio-BDO is chemically identical to its petroleum-derived equivalent, ensuring there is no compromise on the stretch, recovery, or overall quality of the finished spandex fiber.
From the bio-BDO production facility, material is supplied to Hyosung’s Dong Nai operations, where it is converted into PTMG — a key intermediate in the manufacture of regenâ„¢ BIO spandex, also known as elastane. By connecting these production stages across southern Vietnam, Hyosung TNC aims to strengthen supply reliability, improve production efficiency, and reduce the transportation requirements associated with a more fragmented supply chain.
Chairman Cho described the achievement as foundational to the group’s long-term ambitions. “We have established an integrated production system that connects bio-based raw materials with finished spandex fiber,” he said. “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.”
Production Capacity and Investment Plans
The Vietnam bio-BDO production facility has launched with an initial annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons. As part of a broader planned investment of US$1 billion in the project, Hyosung TNC intends to scale annual capacity in phases, targeting 200,000 metric tons in line with market demand over time.
Performance, Certification and Traceability
For end-use applications in sportswear, intimate apparel, swimwear, and denim, regenâ„¢ BIO spandex delivers stretch and recovery performance equivalent to that of conventional spandex. This consistent performance profile, paired with documented material sourcing, has been a point of growing interest among premium fashion brands.
Sugarcane sourcing and traceability are verified through the VIVE Sustainable Program, while bio-based content certification is provided under SGS’s Environmentally Evaluated Product Scheme, known as EEPS. Together, these credentials give brands a clear and verifiable basis for their sustainable textiles sourcing decisions.
Expanding Beyond Textiles
Hyosung TNC is also looking beyond apparel applications. The company plans to supply bio-based chemical intermediates for use in thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, used in automotive interiors, and in polybutylene adipate terephthalate, known as PBAT, a resin applied in biodegradable plastics.
Industry Engagement and Upcoming Events
Hyosung TNC is actively sharing insights into bio-based spandex adoption at a series of industry events. These include PERFORMANCE DAYS which was held in Munich on October 13 and 14, the Textile Exchange Conference in Vancouver running October 12 through 16, and the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, on October 27 and 28. Brands and industry partners are invited to engage with the Hyosung TNC team at these venues to explore regenâ„¢ BIO spandex applications and discuss product development and sourcing opportunities related to bio-BDO production and sustainable textiles.
