#South Korea #Seoul #Global Fashion Summit #Hyosung #Bio-Spandex

Hyosung TNC's Major Milestone at the Global Fashion Summit 2026

In May 2026, Hyosung TNC, a leading provider of sustainable textile solutions and the world's largest spandex manufacturer, showcased its innovations at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen. Acting as a Principal Sponsor, the company introduced its integrated bio-based spandex platform and engaged fashion industry influencers in discussions about expanding its use throughout the value chain.

The Summit's theme, 'Building Resilient Futures,' set the stage for Hyosung TNC to demonstrate advancements in bio-spandex. The company revealed its innovative production system in Vietnam, designed to transform sugarcane into Bio-BDO, Bio-PTMG, and ultimately bio-spandex, all within a cohesive value chain, supported by nearly $1 billion in investment.

Hyosung TNC's participation was multifaceted, featuring a panel discussion at the prestigious DR Concert Hall, a private leadership roundtable in collaboration with the Global Fashion Agenda, and an Innovation Forum dedicated to realizing the potential of bio-based materials for attendees. During the Innovation Forum, a highlight was the presentation of Hyosung's BIO spandex platform, complete with sample applications and narratives emphasizing sugarcane as a sustainable feedstock, verified through the VIVE platform.

Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, Marketing and Sustainability Director of Textiles at Hyosung TNC, noted, "This year's Global Fashion Summit highlighted an increased urgency for action and collaboration across various sectors. I've had numerous insightful dialogues about how bio-based materials are transitioning from niche to mainstream. We've embarked on large-scale production in Vietnam, enabling us to help the industry move away from fossil-based stretch materials without sacrificing performance."

The Conversation on Decarbonization

At the Summit, Sora Yoo, Hyosung TNC's Vice President of Marketing, participated in a key panel titled 'The Decarbonisation Pathway Transitions and Turning Points.' She emphasized that reliance on recycled spandex alone is insufficient, pointing out that current low-impact elastane mostly consists of pre-consumer recycled materials that remain fossil-based.

Recognizing this limitation, Hyosung TNC proactively invested in a fully integrated bio-based production system. This initiative facilitates the conversion of sugarcane into essential components for bio-spandex within a single, connected value chain. Sora underscored the need for industrial-scale infrastructures, reliable sourcing systems, and long-term partnerships that can encourage brands to transition to lower-impact options without sacrificing performance or durability.

She also acknowledged that shifting consumer price perceptions poses a significant challenge for widespread adoption of sustainable spandex alternatives. To address this barrier, Hyosung TNC advocates for increased industry cooperation, as well as heightened consumer awareness and demand to help drive a shift in purchasing priorities toward sustainability.

Behind the Scenes of Fashion Redressed II

Another significant feature of Hyosung TNC's agenda was the exclusive screening of their episode of Fashion Redressed II, produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. This film captures the intricate process of transforming sugarcane into finished spandex, illustrating the complex work involved in moving away from fossil-based inputs.

Post-premiere, Sora mentioned, “Being included in Fashion Redressed II allows our bio-based spandex narrative to reach audiences beyond the Summit venue. It effectively showcases the collaboration, infrastructure, responsibility, and long-term investment driving this material transition, inviting brands to partner in making it a reality.”

A Vision for Everyday Performance

Hyosung TNC's involvement at the Global Fashion Summit underscores the industry's growing interest in scalable solutions for material transitions, particularly in sectors where performance is critical, such as activewear, sportswear, denim, underwear, and swimwear. As commercial production ramps up, Hyosung believes that bio-based spandex can significantly aid fashion brands in reducing their dependency on fossil-derived materials while ensuring the performance characteristics expected in stretch apparel.

In conclusion, Hyosung TNC is positioning itself at the forefront of the sustainable textile movement, committed to innovating and providing lower-impact materials that promise both quality and sustainability. As the demand for responsibly sourced textiles continues to grow, Hyosung stands ready to equip the fashion industry with the tools necessary for a successful transition to a sustainable future.