Cho Hyun-joon sees bio-materials powering Hyosung’s next century

Hyosung TNC has begun commercial production at a $1 billion bio-BDO plant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, completing an integrated supply chain that turns sugarcane-based raw materials into spandex.

The plant can produce 50,000 tons annually, with infrastructure in place to expand capacity to 200,000 tons as demand grows, the Korean spandex maker said.

The chemical bio-BDO is made by fermenting sugars extracted from sugarcane, replacing fossil-based feedstocks used in conventional BDO production. The sourcing and traceability of the sugarcane are verified through the VIVE Sustainable Program.

The new plant supplies bio-BDO to Hyosung TNC’s Dong Nai facility, which converts it into polytetramethylene ether glycol, a key ingredient in spandex. That material then goes to a nearby factory to produce the company’s regen Bio spandex, linking raw materials, intermediate processing and finished fibers within one production network.

The integrated operation targets demand for premium bio-based textiles in Europe and the US. Hyosung TNC said it can adjust production to meet changing orders from global fashion brands.

Used in sportswear, swimwear and denim, bio-spandex offers elasticity and durability comparable to conventional spandex, according to the company. Renewable feedstocks and traceable production can also help brands pursue emissions-reduction and sustainability goals.

Hyosung TNC plans to expand beyond textiles, supplying BDO for thermoplastic polyurethane used in automotive interiors, biodegradable PBAT resins, footwear soles and industrial compounds. It aims to make the Vietnam facility a production base for bio-based materials serving multiple industries.

“Bio business, which replaces conventional fossil fuels with plant-based raw materials, will become a core pillar of Hyosung’s next 100 years,” Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon said.

Cho added that the integrated bio-BDO and spandex operation would support the group’s global expansion and strengthen its premium brand.