Hyosung TNC Takes Crucial Step for Bio-Spandex Platform at Global Fashion Summit 2026
Hyosung TNC, a major player in sustainable textile solutions and the largest spandex manufacturer globally, reached a pivotal moment in the development of its integrated bio-spandex platform at the recent Global Fashion Summit 2026 held in Copenhagen. As a principal sponsor of the event, the company presented its innovative platform featuring bio-spandex and engaged with industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for widespread implementation throughout the fashion value chain.
The Global Fashion Summit, which took place from May 5 to 7, centered around the theme "Building Resilient Futures." During the event, Hyosung TNC illustrated how its bio-spandex is advancing towards broader commercial adoption, supported by robust infrastructure, supply chain integration, and cross-sector collaboration. The company unveiled its new fully integrated production system based in Vietnam, which innovatively converts sugarcane-derived inputs into Bio-BDO, Bio-PTMG, and finally, bio-spandex, all within a single, connected value chain. This massive initiative is backed by nearly a billion dollars in investment and aims at addressing the urgent need for sustainable materials in the fashion industry.
Hyosung TNC's participation in this year’s summit featured a prominent panel discussion at the DR Concert Hall, along with an exclusive roundtable that brought together industry executives, facilitated in partnership with Global Fashion Agenda. The company also showcased its innovation at the Forum dedicated to biosourced materials, illustrating the journey of sugarcane to bio-spandex production. During this forum, the company highlighted its brand narrative around sugarcane, a renewable resource with immense growth potential and a supply chain certified through the VIVE platform.
Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, the marketing and sustainability director at Hyosung TNC Textiles, remarked on the importance of concrete actions highlighted at the summit and the necessity of collaboration within various sectors. He noted, "This year's summit fostered valuable discussions on transitioning biological materials from niche applications to mainstream practices. Commercial-scale production is underway in Vietnam, enabling us to steer the fashion industry away from fossil-based elastomers without sacrificing performance."
The summit's dialogue also included a significant focus on the decarbonization of materials within fashion. Sora Yoo, Hyosung TNC's Vice President of Marketing, emphasized during the panel discussion, titled "The Path to Decarbonization: Transitions and Turning Points," that recycled spandex alone cannot meet sustainability goals. She explained that while low-impact elastane primarily comes from pre-consumer recycling, its fossil-based origins pose limitations dictated by waste production. Recognizing these challenges, Hyosung TNC invested significantly to create a fully biosourced production system in Vietnam, transforming sugarcane into various bio-derived products in a streamlined supply chain.
Key messages conveyed at the panel stressed that successful transition to non-fossil elastomers requires established industrial-scale infrastructure, reliable sourcing systems, and long-term partnerships across the entire value chain. This approach allows brands to adopt lower-impact alternatives without compromising on performance, sustainability, or supply chain resilience.
Despite substantial investments in developing bio-spandex, Sora Yoo pointed out that price perception remains one of the principal hurdles impacting adoption. She noted that moving towards more sustainable alternatives demands not only collaborative industry efforts but also heightened awareness and stronger consumer demand to shift purchasing priorities beyond mere price considerations.
Hyosung TNC also shared exclusive content during the summit via its screening of 'Fashion Redressed II,’ a short film produced in collaboration with BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, which showcases the journey from sugarcane to finished spandex. This film spotlights the concerted efforts required to revolutionize the production of stretch materials by moving away from fossil-derived feedstocks. Following its premiere at the summit, the film is now widely accessible to audiences, further spreading awareness about the possibilities of biobased materials.
In conclusion, the involvement of Hyosung TNC at the Global Fashion Summit exemplifies an increasing interest in scalable solutions to transition materials, especially within high-performance textile categories such as activewear, denim, intimate apparel, and swimwear. As large-scale commercial production continues to expand, the company envisions that bio-derived spandex will play a pivotal role in assisting fashion brands to reduce their reliance on fossil-based materials while maintaining the expected functional properties of stretchy garments. For further insights on Hyosung TNC's innovations and trends in sustainable textiles, check out the company's website and their engaging social media presence.
The Global Fashion Summit, which took place from May 5 to 7, centered around the theme "Building Resilient Futures." During the event, Hyosung TNC illustrated how its bio-spandex is advancing towards broader commercial adoption, supported by robust infrastructure, supply chain integration, and cross-sector collaboration. The company unveiled its new fully integrated production system based in Vietnam, which innovatively converts sugarcane-derived inputs into Bio-BDO, Bio-PTMG, and finally, bio-spandex, all within a single, connected value chain. This massive initiative is backed by nearly a billion dollars in investment and aims at addressing the urgent need for sustainable materials in the fashion industry.
Hyosung TNC's participation in this year’s summit featured a prominent panel discussion at the DR Concert Hall, along with an exclusive roundtable that brought together industry executives, facilitated in partnership with Global Fashion Agenda. The company also showcased its innovation at the Forum dedicated to biosourced materials, illustrating the journey of sugarcane to bio-spandex production. During this forum, the company highlighted its brand narrative around sugarcane, a renewable resource with immense growth potential and a supply chain certified through the VIVE platform.
Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, the marketing and sustainability director at Hyosung TNC Textiles, remarked on the importance of concrete actions highlighted at the summit and the necessity of collaboration within various sectors. He noted, "This year's summit fostered valuable discussions on transitioning biological materials from niche applications to mainstream practices. Commercial-scale production is underway in Vietnam, enabling us to steer the fashion industry away from fossil-based elastomers without sacrificing performance."
The summit's dialogue also included a significant focus on the decarbonization of materials within fashion. Sora Yoo, Hyosung TNC's Vice President of Marketing, emphasized during the panel discussion, titled "The Path to Decarbonization: Transitions and Turning Points," that recycled spandex alone cannot meet sustainability goals. She explained that while low-impact elastane primarily comes from pre-consumer recycling, its fossil-based origins pose limitations dictated by waste production. Recognizing these challenges, Hyosung TNC invested significantly to create a fully biosourced production system in Vietnam, transforming sugarcane into various bio-derived products in a streamlined supply chain.
Key messages conveyed at the panel stressed that successful transition to non-fossil elastomers requires established industrial-scale infrastructure, reliable sourcing systems, and long-term partnerships across the entire value chain. This approach allows brands to adopt lower-impact alternatives without compromising on performance, sustainability, or supply chain resilience.
Despite substantial investments in developing bio-spandex, Sora Yoo pointed out that price perception remains one of the principal hurdles impacting adoption. She noted that moving towards more sustainable alternatives demands not only collaborative industry efforts but also heightened awareness and stronger consumer demand to shift purchasing priorities beyond mere price considerations.
Hyosung TNC also shared exclusive content during the summit via its screening of 'Fashion Redressed II,’ a short film produced in collaboration with BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions, which showcases the journey from sugarcane to finished spandex. This film spotlights the concerted efforts required to revolutionize the production of stretch materials by moving away from fossil-derived feedstocks. Following its premiere at the summit, the film is now widely accessible to audiences, further spreading awareness about the possibilities of biobased materials.
In conclusion, the involvement of Hyosung TNC at the Global Fashion Summit exemplifies an increasing interest in scalable solutions to transition materials, especially within high-performance textile categories such as activewear, denim, intimate apparel, and swimwear. As large-scale commercial production continues to expand, the company envisions that bio-derived spandex will play a pivotal role in assisting fashion brands to reduce their reliance on fossil-based materials while maintaining the expected functional properties of stretchy garments. For further insights on Hyosung TNC's innovations and trends in sustainable textiles, check out the company's website and their engaging social media presence.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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