Five Different regen Brand Stories
You may have heard that the fast fashion industry is the main culprit of climate change. A fast fashion trend life cycle is often two weeks and the industry as a whole accounts for around half of the global fashion industry. With the ever-increasing influence of the fast fashion names, overall fashion trend cycles are getting shorter than every before. Given the amount of discarded clothing, consumption of industrial water for the manufacturing process, and its impact on global carbon emissions, it is no exaggeration at all to say the industry is one of the biggest contributor to climate change. What has recently been witnessed is the growing call for ‘slow fashion’ in opposition to its counterpart, especially among consumers wary of the issues of climate change. In turn, many global fashion names are turning to an eco-friendlier textile brand which could help them better respond to such demand. That is Hyosung TNC’s regen which first was introduced to the market in the 2000s. That is when the fast fashion industry was also gaining traction. Hyosung TNC had long been working on developing the eco-friendly textile even when the fashion industry was not necessarily environmentally conscious. In 2007, the company finally succeeded in developing regen nylon with a technology that recycles discarded fishing net and rope. In the following year, Hyosung TNC developed a regen Polyester fiber by recycling used PET bottles. As such, Hyosung TNC has literally been trailblazing on this issue. Let’s take a look at the company’s journey of developing full regen product line-ups of recycled fibers from polyester to spandex. 'regen' is Hyosung TNC's brand name for its eco-friendly spandex, nylon and polyester fiber. Facing the challenge to save the earth, Hyosung TNC strives to show the next generations a better world through the eco-friendly 'regen' brand. With a spirit of challenge and innovation, Hyosung TNC gives new life to plastic waste as high-quality eco-friendly fiber, while leading the circular economy of the petrochemical industry. Hyosung TNC will continue to aim to building a virtuous cycle through fiber technology, looking far into a more sustainable future. I. regen Spandex, the eco-friendly story of the world's No. 1 spandex A life without spandex fibers is almost unimaginable. Just imagine if you have to walk in a suit or leggings that do not stretch. Can spandex fabric be environmentally friendly? The answer is yes. Hyosung TNC regen spandex is made from industrial waste while maintaining regular spandex function. Producing one ton of regen spandex would in turn have the same environment-friendly impact as planting 889 pine trees that are 30 years old. Consumers wearing clothing made of regen spandex constitute a small step toward building an eco-friendly lifestyle and make a difference in the efforts to save our planet. II. regen Nylon, a revolutionary eco-friendly fiber Nylon is the world’s first synthetic fiber used for making stockings and underwear. Hyosung TNC brings added value to nylon too. The company developed a technology that recycles materials from discarded fishing nets and ropes to produce regen Nylon in 2007, for the first time in the world. The fabric is not only environmentally friendly but also considered high performance. Hyosung regen Aqua-X fabric is used for swim suits or workout outfits for its sweat-absorbing and quick-drying properties as well as cool-touch, soft and skin-friendly quality. Naturally, demand for this fabric increases in summer time. The world’s first environmentally friendly heavy-duty nylon regen Robic is known for its super resistance to tear and abrasion as well as wind and rain. It is also for its lightweight technology, suitable for outdoor gears. If you are up for workouts in summer time or outdoor adventures, this is the fabric that can offer you joy, health and a sense of fulfilment for your contribution to the environment. III. urning marine pollutants into a valuable material, regen Ocean Nylon It may not intuitively be obvious that an eco-friendly fiber helps preservation of the marine ecosystem. Discard fishing nets are one of the main culprits of the destruction of marine ecosystem. Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing nets destroy the underwater ecosystem, taking the lives of marine organisms that become entangled. It takes up around 600 years for them to break down and in doing so they shed microplastics that are becoming some of the biggest threats to the marine ecosystem. Even if these fishing nets are collected for incineration, this process also could entail the emission of a lot of pollutants into the air. As such, Hyosung TNC has developed regen Ocean Nylon in order for these abandoned fishing nets to be reborn as a valuable eco-material. The company is expanding its facility for depolymerization to increase the production capacity of regen Ocean Nylon. IV. To catch two birds with one stone, regen Polyester Hyosung TNC regen Polyester is an environmentally friendly fiber made of discarded PET bottles. It comes with various features with high performance such as regen Askin of cool touch yarn, regen Cotna of natural cotton-touch polyester yarn, regen Aerolight of lightweight yarn, regen Aerosilver of odor-resistant yarn, regen Xanadu of strong elasticity, and regen Aerocool of sweat-absorption and quick-drying yarn. Pursuing environmental friendliness is itself commendable but producing such eco-friendly yarns with high performance is even more commendable. Hyosung TNC is committed to offering more diverse regen polyester products of eco-friendly nature to help better protect our planet. V. regen Ocean polyester, contributing to healthy ocean ecosystems It is not only discarded fishing nets that destroy the marine ecosystem. Across the world, around a million sea birds and 100,000 marine mammals die[1] each year from plastic waste. In order to protect the ocean wildlife and humanity from plastic debris in the ocean that account for 47% of the ocean waste[2], Hyosung TNC collects PET bottle waste from the ocean and turn them into regen Ocean Polyester fiber. It obtained the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) certification for its contribution and has been extensively used in various apparel brand names for their production. You might be surprised to find how easily you will bump into this name on the tag of your clothes. Isn’t it just cool to wear clothes that could have contributed to saving a whale or two in the ocean? The tale of two cities, regen Jeju and regen Seoul project initiative designed to recycle waste in the two cities If you want to know more about Hyosung TNC’s eco-friendly fiber products? Look no further than Seoul and Jeju. Firstly, Jeju is an island of three UNESCO heritage sites and known for breathtaking beauty. Hyosung TNC has launched a joint project titled ‘regen Jeju, Restoration to be Reborn’ alongside Jeju local government and the Ministry of Environment in 2020. Under this initiative, discarded PET bottles in Jeju Island are collected to be reborn as regen Jeju polyester fiber, which then has been used by the global outdoor brand North Face for its products. Building on its success story in Jeju, Hyosung TNC embarked on ‘regen Seoul’ project in 2021 by joining hands with Seoul Metropolitan Government to create an eco-friendly regen Seoul yarn. Going forward, this initiative is to be expanded under ‘regen Korea’ project to use plastic waste in Korea for another eco-friendly fiber. Whether it is on land or in ocean, collecting waste and turning them into eco-friendly yarns is not an easy feat. It requires unwavering efforts in research and development as well as investment and energy to produce a high quality performance yarn that is eco-friendly. That said, it is worth doing it if it means we can contribute to the value of sustainability and environmental friendliness that will be critical for the life of our future generations. Since as early as 2007 when not many paid attention to the environmental issue, Hyosung TNC has put strenuous efforts to research and develop technologies to protect our environment. The company is to continue on its endeavor to produce eco-friendly fibers for the sake of our future generations. Hyosung TNC’s regen brands as well as RE:GEN(Reply to Every Generation's Future) that is Hyosung Group’s ESG initiative are all about responding to the call of our time for the sake of our future generations. If we put extra attention to things taken for granted for a long time, our future should be filled with hope. Hyosung TNC is ready to put more emphasis on environment and our future generations than we do for immediate profits and management outcome. In doing so, we at Hyosung believe we can bring in a future where humanity as a whole can live happier and longer on our planet Earth. To this end, Hyosung is to continue to pursue collaborations and joint projects for the sake of sustainability and environment. [1] Source: UNEP [2] Source: Ocean Conservancy, a US based NGO committed to a healthy ocean and the wildlife
2023-07-28
Innovue - A New Vision Towards Innovation for Hyosung TNS
A mere 20 years ago, few could have imagined that small mobile phones would enable internet browsing akin to computers, facilitate video calls, and even allow for viewing such diverse contents. Video conferencing and conference calls were reserved only for important business, online banking was scarce, and telebanking remained quite unreliable. However, we can now perform all of these aforementioned activities with smartphones; devices that receive an array of new and diverse application-based services every day. Working from home, the collective wealth of human knowledge in our pockets, and improved banking services are just some of the conveniences made possible by steady advances in technology. This trailblazing spirit, forging a path into the unexplored, epitomizes the essence of Hyosung TNS. Just as smartphones revolutionized our lives, Hyosung TNS tirelessly endeavors to transform our tomorrow, making it even more extraordinary and convenient. Hyosung TNS - Revolutionizing Today and Tomorrow When people think of bank branches, they typically envision customers pulling numbered tickets and waiting in line for service while bank employees tend to various transactions and ATM machines stand idle in the corner. In the past, ATMs only permitted simple cash withdrawals, but with advancements in technology, they now enable simultaneous withdrawals and deposits, account transfers, bill payments, and even card issuance, passbook updates, and loan consultations - all tasks previously exclusive to bank employees. The advent of these multifaceted ATMs has heightened satisfaction levels for both customers and banks. Customers can conduct their banking business without being constrained by operating hours or long wait times. Banks can allocate time to each customer who visits the branch, moving away from simple and repetitive tasks. This provides more opportunities to introduce and sell profitable and customized products, increasing customer trust and loyalty to attract more dedicated patrons. For instance, the Digital KioskTM supports over 90% of a bank branch's primary business, while the Digital DeskTM enables greater banking services, such as account opening and savings consultations, through video teller technology. These technologies serve as important milestones for the future of self-service banking technology. Hyosung TNS' retail business follows a similar trajectory in advancement. The various retail solutions developed and supplied by Hyosung TNS, particularly robot cafes and unmanned refrigerators, drive innovation in the retail industry. Unmanned retail solutions applied to general stores provide customers with excellent retail shopping experiences and store owners with greater operational efficiency. In addition to this, Hyosung is also working on new payment services that will lead the industry and further enhance convenience. As a result of continually developing and refining new payment services and other technologies, Hyosung TNS has introduced a new brand identity to serve as a comprehensive platform for the promotion of further growth and its business evolution. Innovue - Hyosung TNS' New Brand Identity for Greater Innovations Hyosung TNS, the future technology and IT innovation unit of the Hyosung Group, has initiated a brand revision project to take a quantum leap forward as a global brand. This has led to their recent announcement of a new brand identity, Innovue, which expands their existing business area, previously limited to ATM manufacturing, to a 'global IT company'. The name Innovue, a combination of 'innovation' and 'vision', represents their aspiration to enhance the everyday interactions of all people by connecting the physical reality and the virtual world. Under this new brand, anyone can become a customer. The goal of the innovation that Hyosung Innovue aims to achieve is to provide better experiences for all consumers. To this end, Hyosung TNS avoids complacency and continually researches and develops its services with the goal of offering new experiences. Hyosung Innovue aspires to be a human experience maker, constantly considering what kind of interaction their technology and solutions must produce to act as the connection between people, finance, retail, and other platforms. Walking Alongside Hyosung Innovue, Innovation for You Hyosung Innovue aims to provide customer-oriented innovation, starting from within Hyosung TNS. Hyosung TNS believes that its employees' efforts to develop better technology and services for their customers are at the heart of what makes an innovative experience. As a result, since innovative customer services originate from Hyosung TNS' internal employees' deliberations, all organization members are considered Human Experience Makers. All members who contribute to creating Hyosung Innovue become ‘makers’, striving towards a common goal and vision of becoming a Global Human Experience Maker. Furthermore, Hyosung TNS is developing and implementing the HExA (Human Experience Accelerator) program to encourage self-directed innovation in employees and to promote changes in KPI and reward systems which further emphasize a new beginning for Hyosung Innovue. To achieve their mission of creating an exceptional experience and providing value in everyday interactions, Hyosung TNS will work to develop a positive and interactive culture among leaders and members to increase awareness of these new value systems through programs such as the Junior Board (HExA Agent), Reverse Mentoring Program (HExA Reverse Mentoring), Leadership Program (HExA Leadership), and Employee Learning Program (HExA Learner). Hyosung TNS, having already demonstrated tangible success in the global market, continues to flourish. In particular, the company's primary focus on ATMs has led to an impressive achievement of securing the third-highest market share worldwide. Yet, Hyosung TNS does not rest on its laurels, persistently striving to deliver an innovative customer experience and relentlessly pursuing the unattained technologies of tomorrow and beyond. The self-driven innovation and embrace of change displayed by every member of the Hyosung TNS team underscores the mutual growth of both the individual and the organization. By crafting a blueprint for innovation alongside its employees, Hyosung TNS is able to provide customers with groundbreaking experiences and serve as a partner for innovation and growth to an international clientele. The future of Hyosung TNS walks hand in hand with the evolution and innovation of its members, customers, and client companies. The company is committed to redoubling its efforts as Hyosung Innovue to emerge as a leading IT enterprise in the global market.
2023-07-21
Collaboration of Hyosung Advanced Materials and KANGHYUK
More than any other company, Hyosung is committed to environmental preservation and strives to develop and commercialize various eco-friendly materials. Hyosung Advanced Materials produces industrial materials for various applications, making our lives more comfortable and safer with optimal advanced materials. Hyosung Advanced Materials is proud to produce tire reinforcement materials such as tirecords, steel cords, bead wire, and global-quality airbag fabrics. It also supplies aramid and carbon fiber, as well as industrial polyester, nylon, and carpet yarns to global and domestic customers, boasting high market shares. Hyosung Group, including Hyosung Advanced Materials, has always been interested in environmental fashion and fiber trends through upcycling. Through this interest, they came across the eco-friendly upcycling fashion brand 'KANGHYUK.' The collaboration between Hyosung and KANGHYUK brings about a synergistic effect in transforming Hyosung Advanced Materials' airbags into fashionable clothing. Creating Fashion from Airbags with KANGHYUK There is a designer who was inspired by the sight of someone picking up airbags that can no longer be used from a scrapyard, while preparing a graduation project. The designer saw the possibility of an airbag, which had once been thrown away after saving a life, being recollected and given new life as material for clothing. This is the environmentally conscious upcycling fashion brand, KANGHYUK, which creates trendy and fashionable clothes that have become synonymous with today's fashion. The brand was launched by Kanghyuk Choi, a graduate of the Royal College of Art in the UK, and is currently being operated with his fellow graduate, Sanglak Shon. KANGHYUK is known for creating clothes with airbags disassembled by hand and using the original pattern and details of the airbag's logo, barcode, holes and stitches to preserve the unique personality of each airbag. This environmentally friendly upcycling fashion brand suggests the future of sustainable fashion by utilizing the otherwise one-time use airbag fabrics. A special encounter between Hyosung Advanced Materials and KANGHYUK through airbags What material constitutes the core of KANGHYUK's artwork? The airbag! The primary reason Hyosung Advanced Materials can be the global leader in airbag manufacturing lies in its unparalleled technical prowess, which underpins its exceptional and reliable quality. Airbags must exhibit a paradoxical characteristic of 'external softness, internal strength,’ instantaneously inflating when filled with gas. The airbag fabric demands construction from high-strength yarn that is soft yet durable, able to withstand sudden expansion due to its high-elongation properties, resist momentary high temperatures produced by propellant ignition, and remain preserved for extended periods within a vehicle, demonstrating resistance to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Only materials that pass such exacting standards can be utilized in airbag production. Hyosung Advanced Materials is the first domestic and global company to develop and sell Nylon 66 yarn and polyester yarn for airbags, boasting the highest quality and meeting all the criteria above. It is also capable of vertically manufacturing both nylon and polyester airbags. In 2011, it acquired GST (Global Safety Textiles), the world's largest airbag maker, enabling the establishment of a vertical supply chain of airbag yarn, fabric and sewing through GST. As such, Hyosung Advanced Materials firmly retains its position as the world's foremost purveyor of airbag fabrics, covering the majority of the airbag production value chain from the foundational yarn to the OPW that forms the shape of the bag and also the airbag cushion created by sewing the fabric. A special encounter between Hyosung Advanced Materials and KANGHYUK through airbags In an interview, Kanghyuk revealed that he faced numerous trials and errors when he first attempted to create clothing using airbags. Acquiring airbag materials was comparatively more straightforward while studying in the United Kingdom; however, it proved challenging in Korea, where he began his formal fashion endeavors. Kanghyuk's brand struggled due to inconsistent airbag fabric thickness, excessively contaminated fabric, and other non-reusable airbag materials, leading him to seek assistance from Hyosung. Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon of the Hyosung Group first recognized KANGHYUK's potential and decided to extend substantial support beyond merely providing sample materials. Chairman Cho has always been deeply interested in eco-friendly fashion and textile trends. Hyosung Group, known for its eco-friendly initiatives, decided to provide a large quantity of airbag fabric to the fashion brand KANGHYUK, which they had been keeping a close eye on. Hyosung Advanced Materials produces Hyosung's airbag fabric. This vertically integrated company leads the airbag manufacturing industry and is solely responsible for the entire airbag value chain, including yarn, fabric, coating, and cushion. This enabled the company to supply airbag fabrics to the fashion brand KANGHYUK. Hyosung Advanced Materials provided enough airbag fabrics—made from products that did not meet dimension specifications or were otherwise unsellable—to produce approximately 700 jackets. In May 2021, KANGHYUK debuted its eco-friendly apparel, including ski-inspired jackets and pants crafted from Hyosung Advanced Materials' airbags. This extraordinary, environmentally conscious clothing line also aligns with Hyosung Advanced Materials' aim of developing new materials to enhance safety and comfort in people's lives. The collaboration between the brand KANGHYUK and Hyosung Advanced Materials, resulting in the transformation of airbag fabrics into a unique and delightful fashion, means the beginning of the infinite potential of various materials developed by Hyosung Advanced Materials to provide safety, comfort and a more convenient lifestyle for people. A Remarkable Union of Hyosung Advanced Materials and KANGHYUK through Airbags The connection between Hyosung Advanced Materials and KANGHYUK extends beyond fashion apparel; the artist has also showcased sculptural art pieces using eco-friendly seatbelt materials and carbon fiber frames provided by Hyosung Advanced Materials. Incorporating the distinctive characteristics of the industrial materials into his artworks, KANGHYUK artistically reinterpreted them, earning acclaim for presenting a fresh and eco-conscious perspective. Through collaboration with fashion brands, Hyosung Advanced Materials has laid the foundation for innovation within the fashion industry and created opportunities for adding new value to used industrial materials. Airbags and seatbelt fabrics, designed by Hyosung Advanced Materials to protect passengers, are continuing to be reborn as innovative art pieces. Utilizing lightweight yet high-strength carbon fiber, the artist overcame physical challenges to create visually captivating sculptural works, showcasing the potential for added value in Hyosung-produced materials. When the intricate details of an airbag - from the placement of holes and stitches to the logo and barcode - are transformed into clothing, designer KANGHYUK claims the fabric itself seems to come alive, conveying a sense of protection. The metamorphosis of life-saving airbags into fashionable jackets exemplifies the boundless possibilities of upcycling. It is time to look beyond the simple recycling of paper cups and plastic bottles and view upcycling with a fresh perspective, as it contributes to building a more diverse and sustainable society. Hyosung eagerly anticipates further collaborations, similar to the successful partnership wherein eco-friendly airbag materials designed to save lives and protect the environment were given new life in the world of fashion. Hyosung is committed to actively exploring and supporting opportunities that create a virtuous cycle, enabling its sustainable and eco-friendly materials to be reborn in fashion, shape new consumer lifestyles, and protect the planet for future generations.
2023-07-14
RE:GEN, Reply to Every Generation’s Future
Environment, social and governance(ESG) management is now an essential part of corporate activities that many corporations take seriously as ESG has emerged as one of the major concerns among consumers. As ESG management is becoming increasingly important, some corporations have attempted to take advantage of consumers’ interests in ESG issues, instead of engaging in bona fide ESG activities, which is known as “green washing”. In reality, it is not easy for companies to think and act in a way that benefits the environment, and to link outcomes of their business activities to the environment. It is never an easy task for corporations to consistently invest in preserving the environment, conduct R&D, implement social contribution activities, and manage ethics fairly and transparently, but the consensus is that ESG is not an option. If corporations opt to race on the one-track path of simply profit seeking, it would be much easier for them. But what is the impact on our future? Although it takes more effort and costs more, we all should protect the environment and consider social contribution because we need to ensure a sustainable future for us today and for our future generations. RE:GEN, Reply to Every Generation’s Future Hyosung is working to build a sustainable future for all generations and help them live a happy life although it takes more time and effort. Hyosung does not relegate ESG to a marketing tool strategy, taking ESG more seriously than that. Hyosung does its part in preparing for the future and solving environmental challenges with its technology and commitment to the future generations. Specifically, it has rolled out a plan to contribute to forming a circular economy via 5 ESG themes (recycling and upcycling, carbon neutrality, new and renewable energy and smart reduction) in all of its business areas to promote sustainable ESG management. Some of the core eco-friendly circular economy themed technologies (recycle, upcycle) at Hyosung are aimed at building an ecosystem through tangible technology, products and manufacturing process. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Hyosung Heavy Industries has introduced an energy storage system (ESS), a key technology of new renewable energy, which allows users to save electricity for later use, and replaced materials used in insulators of power apparatuses, such as transformers and gas insulated switchgears, with eco-friendly materials. Furthermore, Hyosung has plans to expand the use of hydrogen energy, which includes construction of liquefied hydrogen plants and hydrogen stations. With the application of TANSOME®, hydrogen-fueled vehicles can be made lightweight, accelerating the arrival of a hydrogen society. Hyosung’s eco-friendly products including polyketone, a type of eco-friendly engineering plastic, and regen, eco-friendly yarn made of recycled waste, contribute to creating a virtuous cycle of resources and achieving carbon neutrality by reducing CO2 emissions. With its technology, it envisions the coexistence of life and technology while preserving nature. RE:GEN, which means “Reply to Every Generation’s Future” embodies the corporate vision that its technology can benefit all generations of the future. Theme#1, Circular Economy(Recycle, Upcycle), Progress in Creating a Sustainable Future for the Next Generation Hyosung’s first step toward creating a sustainable future for the next generation is a circular economy in which waste is recycled into high-value added products. In 2007 when people were not as interested in environmental issues as they are now, Hyosung developed the world’s first technology to extract regen Nylon yarn from waste fishing nets which posed a serious threat to the marine ecosystem. In 2008, it developed and produced regen Polyester yarn made from recycled plastic bottles. Given that abandoned fishing nets and ropes floating in the sea are one of the major causes of the destruction of marine ecosystem, discarded fishing nets were transformed into regen Ocean Nylon with value creation, rather than being burned. It plans to expand its depolymerization facility to steadily increase the production and supply of the nylon. Plastics do pose a threat to humans and all living creatures on Earth, but when it meets Hyosung’s technology, it can be reborn as regen Polyester. Eco-friendly fiber regen Polyester made of used plastics has multiple features too. Hyosung is working with various corporations and organizations to promote upcycling of resources. ‘KANGHYUK’, a fashion brand that has recently garnered publicity produces fashion items with used airbags. Learning that KANGHYUK has difficulty obtaining used airbags, Hyosung Advanced Materials offered the brand the fabric used to make airbags, which is not suitable for sale due to size and other reasons. Airbags that otherwise would have been thrown away without being used or sold have found a new use with KANGHYUK, a trendy and upcoming fashion brand that cares about building a sustainable future, and been reborn into eco-friendly ski suit-style jackets and pants. Well-known upcycling brand ‘CUECLYP’ and ‘Preview In Seoul’ made banners with regen Polyester. Then, used banners were made into phone cases, string corner wallets and pouches, while the regen yarn was used to make umbrellas, wallets, pouches and mini bags. Hyosung TNC focused on value creation from circulating resources that would otherwise be thrown away by transforming used plastic and fishing nets into regen yarn and recycling useless airbags into highfashion accessory. . Saving limited resources of the planet and not generating waste is essential for preserving the environment. But reducing and transforming waste into new resources is equally important. Theme#2, Carbon Neutrality that Reverses Climate Change We often hear that climate change is largely attributed to carbon emissions. Carbon neutrality that is globally practiced to keep the earth’s average temperatures from rising refers to a state in which greenhouse gas emissions, a major cause of global warming, and greenhouse gas absorption are in equilibrium. Hyosung works to reduce carbon emissions through the entire production process including development of ingredients, production of materials, and transportation. Recycling waste plastic into yarn helps create a virtuous cycle of resources and reduce carbon emissions. Hyosung TNC has developed regen Polyester that is made from useful ingredients extracted from used plastic bottles and regen Nylon, recycled nylon made of yarn that is discarded in the process of producing nylon yarn. Hyosung Advanced Materials’ R&D efforts focus on developing lightweight materials and high-strength products in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from mobility including vehicles, and successfully developed TANSOME®, an ultra-lightweight, high-strength material that is four times lighter and 10 times stronger than iron, contributing to making vehicles strong and lightweight. The company also developed lyocell tirecords made of cellulose extracted from wood, which reduces harmful emissions of substances including carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide that are generated in the manufacturing process. Use of the new material can help reduce air and water pollution that occurs in the process of disposing these harmful materials. Power, generation and construction divisions of Hyosung Heavy Industries have been making diverse efforts in different areas to contribute to reducing carbon emissions caused by climate change. To this end, it uses ESS that allows users to store electricity when power demand is low, so that it can be used later when necessary, and high early strength concrete to reduce water use. In addition, it employs eco-friendly construction techniques that help decrease emissions of air pollutants in winter. Hyosung Chemical developed polyketone, the world’s first eco-friendly engineering plastic, based on its self-initiated technology using carbon monoxide, a major air pollutant as its main ingredient, and has a relatively lower global warming potential than other types of engineering plastic. Polyketone is used to create various eco-friendly products and technology, thereby reducing negative impacts of its production activities on the environment. Through all these efforts, Hyosung is committed in earnest to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility with positive actions. Theme#3, Nature-Derived Energy Makes Our Life Clean. How can we produce energy we need and still preserve nature? We can do so by making new renewable energy with energy sources that are naturally available to us. Hyosung’s attention has turned to hydrogen, the first element that was created in the universe. We can use hydrogen to create energy as it can be easily converted into water. Using energy made from natural sources for materials, technology, transportation and supply systems is how Hyosung preserves the Earth and cares about future generations. Hyosung contributes to building a sustainable and clean future with its technology and endeavors to tap into hydrogen, solar energy and wind energy bestowed in nature. Theme# 4, Smart reduction: use energy smartly Paper is eco-friendly and biodegradable, doing nature no harm. However, we have to cut down trees and destroy the forest to make paper. Is this really eco-friendly? Although paper itself is biodegradable, reckless use of paper can cause serious damage to the environment and eventually make the planet sick. Hyosung is actively involved in reducing the use of paper at work to protect forests. Hyosung is working to create a paperless office and work environment with minimum waste. Furthermore, Hyosung has presented digital desk technology that allows users to get their job done in a contactless way and without using paper in the financial sector, thereby accelerating office digitalization. Using less paper translates into preserving forests and nature. Just like we cannot preserve nature when we cut down trees to make paper which is a pseudo eco-friendly resource, there are some drawbacks to using nature-derived energy sources including hydrogen, solar and wind energy. Although we produce energy from these sources, wasting energy is detrimental to the environment. So we need technology that can help us use energy more efficiently without keeping the networks waiting longer, which we use every day like the air we breathe. In this sense, Hyosung implements STATCOM and ESS technology to raise energy efficiency by ensuring that hydrogen, solar and wind energy are not wasted when the networks are not in use. Our future will be better than the present with Hyosung’s technology to reduce paper use and standby energy, designs to ensure smart use of energy, and smart technology to implement the designs. We can make the planet healthier by thinking ahead into the future rather than focusing on our needs today to preserve nature and save resources by making recycling part of our daily life and taking actions to protect the environment. We can make the planet more beautiful, and slow the pace of climate change if we reduce waste and recycle resources, create and implement designs that can conserve energy for efficient use, use energy that Mother Nature endows, and work together to reduce carbon emissions. Hyosung hopes everyone living today and all future generations dream of a sustainable future and enjoy their life on a healthy and clean planet, which we will help regain its gleaming luster by engaging in many ESG management activities. The healthy planet for future generations should be conceived by us today. A promise to all future generations! The ESG brand of Hyosung Group RE:GEN will turn our promise into reality.
2023-07-07
The meaningful transformation of waste fishing nets, regen Ocean Nylon
“Green marketing, ESG marketing, a good consumption that incorporates environment-friendly aspects, meaning-out consumption”. The above buzzwords are always included in conversations about marketing and consumption trends today. As consumers are more directly experiencing the detrimental effects of climate change, their awareness of and interest in environmental issues have increased. The MZ generation has risen as the main active consumer segment, pursuing an environment-friendly lifestyle and prioritizing consumption habits or activities that minimize the footprint on earth. A growing number of people, including the next generation who believe in the importance of sustainable value consumption for the planet, are bringing about change, leading companies to assume more social and ethical responsibilities. In line with the trend of pursuing value consumption, companies are pursuing ESG management for the sake of the next generation and the environment, while also making substantial investments when it comes to research and development for sustainable growth engines. Also, an increasing number of people are taking small conscious steps in their daily lives, such as drinking from tumblers, using reusable mugs instead of disposable paper cups, and being less wasteful with consumables, such as food. These individual efforts and small gestures in practice are aggregating into a social trend, with companies also implementing sustainable management. What could be another example of this trend of behaving with a more environmentally conscious mindset? Clothing is one example. We wear it every day and it is indispensable in our lives. An increasing number of consumers are checking to make sure the fabrics used in articles of clothing are environment-friendly before purchasing them. How and where can we purchase clothing made from environment-friendly fabrics so as to contribute in a small way to environmental protection? We at Hyosung TNC can teach you how it’s possible. regen Ocean Nylon, the rebirth of waste fishing nets Waste fishing nets that threaten the marine ecosystem are recycled and made into environment-friendly fiber. In 2007, Hyosung became the world’s first company to succeed in commercializing the technology for making environment-friendly fiber from fishing nets that otherwise would have added to the destruction of the marine ecosystem. Back in 2007, environmental issues were not a top priority in people's minds but Hyosung was already at the forefront of developing environment-friendly products for the future generation. This is how Hyosung successfully launched the regen Ocean Nylon in the global market. Today the fashion industry has emerged as a strong advocate of the environment, and Hyosung has become a company celebrated by the industry for its environment-friendly products. Global fashion brands have taken heed of the growing consumer interest in ‘meaning-out consumption’ and the environment, and in response, they have announced plans to use eco-materials, including recycled materials. In the future, more apparel brands will switch to environment-friendly materials, with the recycle markets and upcycle markets both forecasted to expand. The pro-environmental shift gaining traction in the fashion industry is about to go mainstream in full scale. As an all-around materials company, including textiles, that makes the yarns essential for producing environment-friendly clothing, Hyosung TNC is dedicated to creating high-value products needed in our daily lives using recycled resources. regen Ocean Nylon is a prime example of this dedication. How great is it that by just using products made with environment-friendly materials that convey Hyosung’s genuine commitment to the environment in our daily lives, we have a role to play in the global campaign to save the earth? How is regen Ocean Nylon produced? In 2007, Hyosung TNC became the first company in the world to commercialize high-quality nylon made from discarded fishing nets. The fact that it is an environment-friendly yarn is impressive enough, but the quality of regen Ocean Nylon is also outstanding. Just how do waste fishing nets become Hyosung’s recycled nylon of the highest quality? Recycled nylon is made by flattening out the collected waste fishing net, cutting them into little pieces, washing them thoroughly to remove any impurities, and then restoring them into recycled nylon pieces. To set up a stable process for recycling this resource in South Korea, Hyosung TNC entered into a business partnership with Busan City and NETSPA and is presently producing regen Ocean Nylon by recycling discarded fishing nets. Busan has collaborated with local governments to establish a system for sorting out reusable fishing nets. While NETSPA is tasked with shredding and washing the sorted fishing nets, Hyosung takes over the highly sensitive and difficult process of depolymerization to produce the regen Ocean Nylon. The process of producing regen Ocean Nylon starts with collecting discarded fishing nets and includes several different impurity-removal steps, and thus is a costly and laborious endeavor. But at the end of the day, it contributes to reducing carbon emissions and preventing ocean pollution. The manufacturing process also lowers carbon dioxide emissions since it reuses resources, produces a high-value product through virtuous recycling, and has a positive footprint on the environment. Despite the complex business process and difficult preprocessing steps, regen Ocean Nylon was conceived owing to Hyosung’s determination and relentless efforts to bringing an environment-friendly nylon to the market. Exemplary definition of virtuous recycling: a culprit of ocean pollution is now being used to clean up the ocean. If you want to reduce ocean trash and protect the marine ecosystem, remember regen Ocean Nylon, the high-quality recycled nylon brand from Hyosung. Wearing clothes made from eco-friendly recycled nylon that substitutes traditional nylon can be your first step for reducing carbon emissions. Recycled nylon is more effective in protecting the environment because 1 kg of recycled nylon fiber can reduce 6.7 kg of CO2 which is well-known as a major greenhouse gas. However, Hyosung will not settle for just being a producer of recycled nylon. It is taking further steps by implementing and executing measures designed to protect the environment. It not only sponsors ocean cleanup activities of ocean conservation groups like ReDi and Ocean Care, but also produces lift bags, buoys, and collection nets made with Hyosung’s ocean-friendly recycled yarn (while also providing customer support). Hyosung and ReDi jointly held a plogging (a portmanteau of "plockupp" in Swedish meaning "pick up the grains" and "jogging" which blend to denote the act of picking up trash while jogging) event on the banks of the Hangang River, as part of Hyosung’s Sevit ESG Color Festival's environmental cleanup program. This is just one example of how Hyosung is venturing beyond just producing recycled nylon and actively supporting various ocean cleanup activities. As a producer of recycled environment-friendly fibers, the company is at the vanguard of the environmental movement. At the same time, Hyosung is also spreading the culture of green diving through environment conservation groups, to actively support the ocean cleanup efforts nationwide. These efforts show Hyosung’s devotion to the mission of environmental protection. Hyosung's environmental activities do not end here because the company announced that it is set to sponsor apparel made with OBP-certified recycled yarn at the International Marine Debris Conference, further showing the company's commitment to resolving marine environmental issues. This is why we are more excited about the milestones that will be set in the coming years by Hyosung in the arena of marine environmental protection. Through the process of developing and manufacturing recycled nylon, Hyosung is protecting the environment, while also exploring diverse approaches to making the oceans a lot cleaner for the next generation. Plastic and marine pollution are serious issues that are not far removed from us. Insofar as Hyosung is exerting voluntary efforts to safeguard the environment for our children’s future through continuous research and investments, shouldn’t everyone play a small role in our daily lives for the environment? To make sure the future generation will be able to live on a cleaner planet that does not get more polluted, Hyosung will relentlessly pursue its sustainable development of materials, with the aim of developing and researching materials for the next generation to create a sustainable future for them. In addition to sustainable material development, Hyosung, through its ESG brand RE:GEN, intends to earnestly fulfill its responsibilities as a company for the sake of nature, for the planet, and for the future of everyone inhabiting it. It is up to us to create a future where people, Earth, and all living organisms can coexist and all the possibilities on Earth will bear fruit only if we act together for the common good. To endow the future of the world we dream about to the next generation, we at Hyosung will stay committed to its promises and fulfill them.
2023-06-30
Would You Care to Walk Down a Red Carpet to Find Out Hidden Stories Behind the Glamour?
The red carpet symbolizes colorful events where celebrities give photographers opportunities to take their picture on the way into an awards ceremony. Red color used to only belong to members of the aristocracy in Europe where the color embodied authority and honor. Originated from European monarchs whose palaces always had red carpets, the idiom “roll out the red carpet” means to welcome someone with special treatment. It is now used for important events including awards ceremonies. But carpets are used in other places. It can be used in offices, lobbies of buildings, entrances of houses, hotels, exhibitions, museums and the interior of automobiles, and many other places. The carpets we see in everyday life are the result of technology and efforts put forth for a long time. Throughout history, carpets have evolved into a more sustainable and eco-friendlier version. In 1983, Hyosung Advanced Materials began developing and manufacturing carpets, which helped it secure the largest share of the domestic carpet market. From carpet yarns to finished products Only Hyosung Advanced Materials can manufacture carpets from yarns to finished products in Korea. Every carpet product is made of the Hyosung’s propriety BCF (Bulk Continuous Filament) yarn. This filament yarn has high degree of consistency and tensile strength, and is manufactured to give more volume. Compared to wool or acrylic filament yarns, it does not tend to slip or snag as much. As a result, it is extensively used in automobile and industrial carpets. Moreover, it comes in clearer and more distinctive colors for a better aesthetic appearance. A carpet’s quality is largely determined by the quality of its yarns. Consequently, it is important to be able to produce a lighter and stronger yarn, such as the BCF yarn made by Hyosung. Car mats on the cabin floors of a car cut down road noise significantly Car mats often used for luxury vehicles use Hyosung Advanced Materials’ BCF yarn. There are two types of car mats: automobile floor mats and supplement mats. The floor mats are regarded as one of the key parts of an automobile as they are manufactured to fit the structure of the steel body of a car. They are excellent in soundproofing to cut down road noise while driving. Supplement mats that are laid over the top of the floor mats are designed to protect the vehicle’s floor from dirt or humidity as well as road noise entering the inside of the car. Hyosung’s car mats are processed by strand and strand and thus they do not slip or snag. The BCF yarn also comes with soundproofing functionality to cut down on the noise not only from the road but also from engine and the tremor you feel as you drive. It can be easily cleaned. Hyosung’s car mats also come in the best quality in adequate elasticity to make it even more appealing to various global automobile makers who are increasingly concerned with lightweight. Hyosung Advanced Materials has also developed a bio-pet BCF yarn to produce the world’s first PET car mats. The company has been working to further expand PET car mat market. With the growing interest in ESG in businesses, many car names are turning their eyes to sustainable ways of management. As such, demand for car mats made of discarded fishing nets is growing. Hyosung has also been working on developing eco-friendly yarns that could contribute to a recycling economy where discarded materials such as discarded fishing nets, recycled polyester chips, waste from chemical processing including polyester chip recycling. Hyosung’s eco-friendly BCF yarn made car mats have in turn contributed to building a more sustainable automobile market including e-Vehicles and hydrogen vehicles. Industrial carpets on durability and technology Industrial carpets are used in hotels, wedding venues, and office buildings and when it comes to the Korean Industrial carpet market Hyosung’s Swan Carpet is the number one player. Swan Carpet is a proprietary technology of Hyosung Advanced Materials and made of PCF yarns which boast easier maintenance compared to its natural yarns as well as excellent durability and wear resistance. It has acquired the Korean Environmental Industry and Technology Institute accreditation’s eco-label certification and the US Carpet & Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus accreditation. With its unparalleled quality, it has been leading the Industrial carpet market. Hyosung is the first Korean company to develop the hollow fiber of rectangular cross-section that is known for excellent wear and fouling resistance. As such, it has been continuously working on developing new products. Industrial carpets are composed of tile and roll carpets. Tile carpets come in rectangular tile shapes so customers can easily pick and choose the exact size and number of the product. They are relatively thin so fit for office environments. Roll carpets come in rolls and thus you can go as large as you want and often are used for settings where you need a little of volume and weight for your carpets. Roll carpets thus are often used for hotels, museums and exhibitions. Hyosung, leading the sustainable carpet market Hyosung Advanced Materials is not to be complacent but to continue research and develop sustainable carpet products. It has been working on developing a 100% recyclable carpet on PET bottles and recycled PET. With its Sustainability Steering Committee, it has been sharing information related to its greenhouse gas emissions in a bid to better respond to climate change and build a sustainable consumption and production mechanism. In doing so, Hyosung believes that companies will only continue to improve their manufacturing processes while value-driven consumers will be able to make a better choice. With its advanced technologies, Hyosung is to continue developing sustainable yarns on discarded materials which will help manufacturers to produce products on those sustainable yarns. Then, consumers will have more options when it comes to their value-driven consumption. By creating such a virtuous cycle, Hyosung believes that we will be one step closer to a truly sustainable future.
2023-06-23
Green hydrogen, bringing closer a green eco-friendly future
On November 2nd of last year, a remarkable ceremony was held, taking us a step closer to an eco-friendly green future. It was Hydrogen Day. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with the Hydrogen Fusion Alliance (H2KOREA), designated November 2nd as South Korea's Hydrogen Day, symbolized by the elemental symbol H2, and hosted the first ceremony last year. Jeong Sang-yeol, head of Hyosung Heavy Industries, received a commendation from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy for his contributions to developing the hydrogen industry, which include introducing core technology from abroad and expanding hydrogen refueling infrastructure. As concern for the environment rises and various external factors contribute to uncertainties in the energy supply, a swift transition from a carbon-based-economy to a hydrogen economy is underway. As a result, hydrogen, the key to sustainable alternative energy, is gaining attention, particularly blue and green hydrogen, which excludes carbon dioxide-emitting grey/brown hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy-generated electricity. Although its production cost is currently higher than other forms of hydrogen, the long-term trend reveals a decrease in green hydrogen production costs, mitigating its drawbacks. Conversely, as regulations tighten in accordance with global climate policies, the limitations of carbon dioxide-emitting grey, brown, and blue hydrogen become increasingly apparent. Green hydrogen appears to be the most promising energy source for the future. Hydrogen color deferred by the manufacturing process Hydrogen is getting attention because it is a clean fuel that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide when it burns and has endless applications, including hydrogen vehicles and fuel cells. Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, lightweight gas, constituting 75% of the universe and a plentiful resource from water. Since hydrogen combustion produces water vapor, there is no concern about depletion. Hydrogen does not exist as a single element (element symbol H), but in compound forms such as water (H2O). In order to utilize hydrogen as an energy source, it must be separated from other compounds through a preliminary process. There are three primary methods for obtaining hydrogen: 'byproduct hydrogen' produced as a byproduct of petrochemical processes or steel manufacturing, 'reformed hydrogen' generated by decomposing natural gas at high temperatures and pressures, and 'electrolyzed hydrogen' produced by the electrolysis of water. Among the hydrogen produced in this manner, byproduct hydrogen and reformed hydrogen are categorized as grey hydrogen. Byproduct hydrogen has limitations in increasing production since it is generated as a byproduct in petrochemical and steel plants, while reformed hydrogen allows for mass production but produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Blue hydrogen addresses these limitations. Blue hydrogen shares the same production method as grey hydrogen, but carbon dioxide generated during the process is captured, utilized, and stored. The CCUS technology is employed to remove it, leading to its classification as clean hydrogen. The captured carbon dioxide is stored or used in cement, semiconductor gases, tire materials, and other applications, earning blue hydrogen recognition as a viable renewable energy alternative. Green Hydrogen, the real eco-friendly hydrogen with no carbon emissions Hydrogen exists that does not emit carbon dioxide during its production process. This is carbon-neutral, truly eco-friendly hydrogen, known as green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis, using electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to separate hydrogen and oxygen. Not only does the water electrolysis method have the advantage of zero carbon emissions, but it also addresses the intermittency of renewable energy sources that rely on variable weather conditions by converting and storing electricity into hydrogen as an energy carrier, thus mitigating rapid uncertainties in the power grid. Hyosung, pioneering the new age of green hydrogen As a leading company in renewable energy, Hyosung is dedicated to producing green hydrogen. Hyosung was the first company in South Korea to develop a 750 kW wind turbine and is trying to get KS certification for 10 MW offshore wind turbine. Hyosung also has a leading position in the domestic energy storage system (ESS) market, essential of stabilizing renewable energy output. Leveraging its extensive know-how and technological prowess in renewable energy, Hyosung aims to expedite the energy transition towards green hydrogen and usher in a new era of hydrogen-based solutions. Hyosung plans to invest KRW 1 trillion to build an offshore wind power assembly plant in the Jeonnam by 2030, thereby establishing a green hydrogen production system utilizing renewable energy. Having signed an agreement with Jeollanam-do on fostering the green hydrogen industry, Hyosung aims to construction of the country's largest-scale 10 MW-class electrolysis facility this year, with a goal to increase annual green hydrogen production capacity to 200,000 tons. Additionally, the company plans to lead the dawn of the green hydrogen era by building two 10,000-ton-per-year liquefied hydrogen plants for storage and utilization and installing liquefied hydrogen refueling stations in nine key areas of Jeollanam-do. Moreover, Hyosung Heavy Industries has been supplying gaseous hydrogen refueling systems in response to the growing demand for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and commercial hydrogen vehicles based on the hydrogen economy. Through a technological partnership with Linde, the only company globally with a commercialized liquefied hydrogen refueling station model, Hyosung is planning and promoting the construction of domestic liquefied hydrogen refueling stations. In addition to developing green hydrogen fuel, the company also plans to expand hydrogen refueling stations and develop supply technologies to expedite commercialization of hydrogen fuel. As the world transitions to a hydrogen economy, green hydrogen has been gaining attention as a clean energy source as it emits no carbon dioxide and relies on renewable energy. Despite its many benefits, the high cost of green hydrogen makes it unsuitable as an alternative energy source. According to a recent analysis by London-based firm ICIS, as of November 9th last year, the price of green hydrogen under renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) remained stable at £3.99, while the cost of grey hydrogen increased approximately 20% to £4.16 per kilogram. Due to the concerns over environmental and climate crises and factors like the Russian-Ukrainian war, gray hydrogen prices are always volatile and have uncertainties in the energy supply. As global climate policies tighten and carbon-emitting energy becomes more limited, green hydrogen is expected to establish itself as stable, as a carbon-neutral raw material. Hyosung, which has the best expertise in renewable energy domestically, has the technological capabilities and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to green hydrogen that utilizes renewable energy. With advanced expertise in renewable energy and green hydrogen, Hyosung is actively contributing to the widespread adoption of green hydrogen through proactive investment and R&D. The realization of an eco-friendly green future with green hydrogen is becoming an achievable reality, and Hyosung is leading the way to a greener future.
2023-06-16
Hyosung’s Youth Marketing Targets Generation Z
NFTs (non-fungible tokens), which use block chain technology to authenticate the ownership of digital assets like images and videos, are attracting significant attention with the expansion of the metaverse industry. This is because NFTs play a crucial role in the metaverse economy by securely protecting ownership through unique identifications assigned to digital products. The NFT market is particularly appealing to Generation Z, who are emerging as a primary target audience. As they enter the job market, Generation Z possesses increasing purchasing power and are known as ’digital natives’ who are well-versed in digital culture and enthusiastic about new experiences. With these characteristics, Generation Z readily adopts NFTs, using digital photo cards in fandom culture and engaging in games that feature NFT items, thereby driving the growth of the NFT market. In January, Hyosung Group captured public attention by hosting the ‘Hyosung TANSOME x Make Your Color’ concert, featuring renowned rock bands like No Brain and Lazybone, and introducing NFTs for ticket issuance and sales. Ticket holders were able to enter the concert venue through on-site NFT authentication and received limited edition brand album kits. Hyosung is actively engaged in youth marketing, including the launch of an NFT platform, to specifically target the younger generation. Youth marketing is a corporate strategy that aims to communicate with and meet the values and expectations of the younger generation, who represent the potential of the future customer base. Effective communication forms the basis of this marketing approach, as companies need to genuinely engage with the youth. Simply showcasing technical competencies or activities may not be enough to earn the loyalty and trust of Generation Z. Companies must actively listen to the voices of the youth, incorporate their insights into marketing strategies, develop technologies that align with their environmentally friendly values, and more. As part of their youth marketing initiatives, many companies are striving to build a brand image that resonate with the youth and are involved in various activities tailored to Generation Z’s interests and tastes, such as hosting online and offline events and developing relevant content. Hyosung’s Youth Marketing Project is for, of, and by Generation Z Hyosung Group is a leading player in various industrial sectors, including textiles, heavy industries/construction and industrial equipment. With a 56-year track record of delivering exceptional products and technologies, Hyosung has established strong presence in global markets. However, there is a lack of sufficient brand awareness regarding Hyosung’s products. While older generations in South Korea are familiar with Hyosung and its history, the overall visibility of the brand among younger South Koreans remains low. This is mainly due Hyosung’s identity as a B2B company that primarily engages in business-to-business transactions, rather than direct interactions with end-consumers. As a result, younger consumers rarely come across the Hyosung brand in their daily lives. To target Generation Z as potential future customers, Hyosung has implemented youth marketing activities. Generation Z is known for their heightened environmental awareness and their commitment to creating sustainable future. They embrace lifestyles aligned with veganism and actively seek out products from environmentally conscious companies, making them “greensumers.” Additionally, Generation Z prefers two-way communication, valuing direct expression of opinions over one-sided communication. Hyosung has tailored its marketing efforts to cater these communication preferences and address areas where they can provide practical support to Generation Z. 16th ASL Academic Festival – Exploring Hyosung’s Marketing from the Perspective of College Students The 16th ASL Academic Festival is one of the many youth marketing activities organized by Hyosung, specifically targeting college students. In collaboration with the Association of Strategic Leaders (ASL), this event was designed with three main objectives in mind. Firstly, it aims to assist college students in their job search, which is their primary concern. Secondly, it provides them with an opportunity to gain insights into how companies operate. Lastly, it serves as a platform to promote Hyosung Group to college students, who form an active segment of Generation Z. At this event, held in collaboration with ASL (a forum founded by the Hanyang Strategic Thinking Association (HSTA), Ewha Consulting (ECON), SKKU Society of Strategic Consulting (SSC)), participating students were tasked with developing marketing strategies to enhance Hyosung’s value-add and raise its brand recognition. The 62 students invited to the event were divided into nine teams and worked diligently to complete various assignments. These tasks included conducting an assessment of the Hyosung brand and developing a plan to improve its value among the MZ generation, creating a strategy to differentiate Hyosung’s business and promote the regen brand in alignment with the environment-friendly agenda, and enhancing the market competitiveness of Hyosung’s Harrington Place with its repositioning efforts. By selecting theses three topics, Hyosung addressed real-time world-marketing challenges it currently faces and sought solutions encouraging college students to generate creative and constructive ideas. This collaborative approach allowed Hyosung to tap into the fresh perspective of younger generations and gather valuable insights to enhance its marketing strategies. Hyosung oversaw the strategy development process, which involved studying tasks, an orientation period, sharing and presenting data, and Q&A session. The event provided college students with an opportunity to develop business strategies and gain insights into problem-solving in the workplace. The Hyosung staff served as mentors, offering practical suggestions to enhance the students’ strategies and providing them with valuable practical experience. The event was also valuable for Hyosung staff, as it allowed them to gain fresh insights. Brilliant ideas conceived by Generation Z that yielded practical benefits for Hyosung's marketing strategies The participating students at the festival expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn about Hyosung’s business values, technology development, ESG management and global market position. They were delighted to experience Hyosung’s dedication to the environment and its corporate efforts to make a positive impact. Furthermore, the college students showcased their original thinking abilities and generated brilliant, logical, and feasible ideas. They were adept presenters and witnessed remarkable growth in their skills during short month. On the other hand, the Hyosung staff had chance to gain insights into Generation Z’s perspective of the company. They valued this time to listen to the students’ opinions and engage in branding activities that align with Generation Z’s standards. Overall, it was a valuable and mutually beneficial experience for both the students and the Hyosung staff. Drawing from the insights gained this academic festival, Hyosung intends to establish a platform for open communication with Generation Z. This platform may encompass various initiatives, including similar academic festivals and other forms of content. By utilizing this platform, Hyosung aims to actively listen to the voices of Generation Z and reflect on the type of company they aspire to associate with a and work for. Furthermore, Hyosung will analyze internal challenges and engage in external youth marketing activities to become the ide al company admired by Generation Z. One participant shared their perspective on the festival stating, “Getting information about Hyosung was challenging as it is primarily seen as a B2B company. However, this project provided valuable insights into the various activities and initiatives undertaken by Hyosung in different domains. It helped me understand Hyosung’s focus on targeting Generation Z through youth marketing, and I will continue to show interest in Hyosung’s business.” Another participant emphasized the significance of communication in brand strategy and marketing, saying, “I strongly believe in the importance of communication, and this project reinforced that belief. The exchange of feedback and opinions highlighted the critical role of active idea sharing and feedback in perfecting business strategies in the real world.” Hyosung Group recognized the value of the feedback and opinions shared by the participants, who are Generation Z members with significant potential and influence. To honor their input, Hyosung plans to incorporate the outcomes of the 16th ASL Academic Festival into marketing strategy to enhance brand recognition. The company intends to integrate the ESG strategies and creora® marketing strategies proposed by the participants into its business operations, using them as case studies for a brand marketing campaign. These valuable contributions will serve as preliminary reference materials in the development of ideas and the creation of an environment-friendly brand narrative for Hyosung's strategies within an eco-conscious ecosystem. Additionally, the ideas generated through this festival will be thoughtfully considered and reflected upon as the company formulates its new branding strategy. Expanded digital marketing for steady communication with the future generation Moving forward, Hyosung aims to enhance its digital content marketing to engage in meaningful communication with Generation Z. Recognizing their interest in companies that prioritize environmental protection, Hyosung plans to create content highlighting its environmental technologies and initiatives. Additionally, the company will organize offline events such as environment-themed concerts and academic festivals, offering opportunities for Generation Z, to actively participate. Hyosung understands the importance of personal development, self-realization, personalized experiences, job prospects, and value-driven consumption for this generation. Therefore, the company will continue to provide platforms for Generation Z to gain practical knowledge through direct involvement and participation.
2023-06-09
Create an eco-friendly world with Hyosung’s colors: Carbon fibers and artists Collaboration
Can you believe that you can pull a car with a thread? You can, with a few strands of carbon fiber, which is stronger but lighter than steel. Carbon fiber is emerging as the new material of dreams and showing limitless possibilities. Hyosung’s TANSOME® is the first high-performance carbon fiber developed in South Korea with endless potential. It can be transformed into various materials with infinite possibilities including musical instruments. Let’s find out if the music played with instruments made of carbon fiber can cheer us up amid the gradual recovery post-COVID-19. Limitless possibilities with TANSOME® It is not safe to say that strong things are heavier anymore because of Hyosung’s carbon fiber, a thread stronger than steel. It is a special material with over 92 percent of carbon, ten times stronger and seven times more elastic but 4 times lighter than steel. What can you do with a thread stronger but lighter than steel? You can make spaceship lighter, for which reducing weight is critical, and make bullet-proof vest and vehicle lighter. The hydrogen industry requires a high level of reliability, and carbon fiber plays a critical role. Carbon fiber has limitless potential as it plays a prominent role in storing and transporting the hydrogen, which is the future clean energy for environment. It indeed has limitless possibilities. Thanks to Hyosung, South Korea developed its own carbon fiber, with the brand name TANSOME®. It is the first high-performing carbon fiber brand and works as a core material in the hydrogen industry. In short, TANSOME® is awesome as its name suggests. Music made with TANSOME®, Make Your Color! Concerts are where you can enjoy the endless possibilities of Hyosung’s TANSOME® up close. Hyosung hosted the TANSOME® X Make Your Color concert on January, 6th at the KT&G Sangsangmadang in the youthful Hongdae region as part of Hyosung’s ESG campaign. Famous rock bands of Korea, NOBRAIN and Lazybone performed with electric guitars and drumsticks made of carbon fiber. They performed “Make your color,” Hyosung’s ESG theme song. It was a great opportunity to experience the versatility of TANSOME®. It started with a collaboration project between Hyosung’s TANSOME® and the two representative punk rock bands of Korea, NOBRAIN and Lazybone. The two bands were selected based on their interest in living a sustainable lifestyle, and their positive attitude which has gained fandom across all generations. Previous to the concert, the two bands pre-recorded the song “Make Your Color,” and the recording session in the form of a mini live gig at the recording studio was made into music videos to match the song. A close interview session with all the band members revealed their passion for Hyosung’s advanced materials technology while they expressed gratitude to Hyosung for making sustainable and strong instruments out of carbon fiber. The two bands shared Hyosung’s vision behind its ESG brand, RE:GEN, ‘Reply to Every Generation’s Future’, and the message behind “Make Your Color” which invited them to participate in this project. “Make Your Color” is Hyosung’s ESG theme song, which reflects Hyosung’s vision to reply to every generation’s future through its inherent technology DNA and innovation, that will enable a sustainable lifestyle throughout generations. According to the lyrics, Hyosung invites everyone to paint the gray city in vibrant colors, to achieve a sustainable lifestyle in each their own colors and manner. Therefore, to Hyosung, the color of ESG is not green but multiple colors. Hyosung aims to continue to contribute to making people’s future brighter with their own personality, under its slogan “Make Your Color.” There is another secret to the song. It was recorded with guitars and drumsticks made of carbon fiber! The electric guitar and drumsticks NOBRAIN used at the ESG Color Festival at Sevit were made of carbon fiber. It made the guitar much lighter, so the guitar player could carry on more comfortably without any shoulder pain, and move around to the music with ease. The carbon fiber also made it possible to implement a unique design which is impossible to render with wood. It is all the more meaningful in that the theme song “Make Your Color” was performed with TANSOME®. Another high-technology regarding TANSOME®, collaboration with NFT! There is another way to enjoy TANSOME®, and that is the music source of “Make Your Color.” The music source of the song recorded using carbon fiber instruments was revealed in NFT (Non-fungible Token) form. NFT marks the ownership of digital asset that is verified with blockchain technology and used to indicate the authenticity and ownership of pictures or videos by storing the digital file address in the token. The music source of “Make Your Color,” made out of carbon fiber, was revealed for the first time at the Hyosung’s Sevit ESG Color Festival in October, 2022. Citizens who visited the carbon fiber brand zone were able to get a hold of the music source via airdrop, with special access to the song before its official release at the end of 2022. After the official release, people were able to listen to the song, played with musical instruments made out of carbon fiber at the TANSOME® X Make Your Color concert. NOBRAIN and Lazybone performed passionately, driving the audience of all ages into a wave of excitement. The concert also featured the trendy DJ R2 and DJ ARI. The purchasers of NFT ticket were admitted after the verification. As an invisible code was inserted in the NFT, it could verify the authenticity and prevent unauthorized entrance, working as a digital coded ticket. Participants who purchased a ticket type NFT of the concert were gifted with the brand album kit containing a sturdy TANSOME tumbler, USB music file, a brand album book sharing the story of TANSOME, and a cute rockstar LEGO piece as a souvenir. TANSOME® is of the epitome of carbon fiber in Korea. The brand name combines ‘tanning’, a core high-temperature procedure to produce carbon fiber, with ‘something special.’ Hyosung’s carbon fiber, TANSOME® plays a prominent role in the next generation clean energy, hydrogen, and can also become musical instruments. With its outstanding properties and versatilities, there will be more application for TANSOME in the future, even beyond the music and hydrogen industry.
2023-06-02
Minimizing Harmful Impact on Humans and Nature
Siberian tigers, Asiatic black bears, otters.... These are some of the endangered species that are rarely found in nature. The best way to preserve the natural environment is to leave animals and plants to grow and live freely in the natural environment as is. All creatures except humans are at risk from environmental pollution and global warming, however. Is there a way to ensure coexistence with all living things on Earth? Employees of Hyosung Chemical’s Oksan Factory who care about environmental protection came together to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity. So they met up at a local zoo. Cheongju Zoo looks after nationally-protected species that cannot survive in their natural habitats. The zoo, designated in 2014 as “the man-made habitat for nationally-protected species” by the Ministry of Environment, is home to a total of endangered 18 species including Asiatic black bears, Japanese cranes and leopard cats. Our employees got actively participated in animal behavior enrichment activities in order to assist the animals in feeding, acting and using their instincts and senses in a natural way. What is animal behavior enrichment? Wild animals use most of their energy and time to search for food, hide from predators and defend their territories. On the other hand, zoo animals have far more free time and extra energy than they do in the wild because they are fed well-balanced meals at the zoo. As a result, some of them get stressed out and display so-called “stereotypical behaviors” including pacing back and forth in the same place, constantly shaking or scratching a certain part of their body. In order to maintain their physical and psychological health, zookeepers provide animal behavior enrichment so that animals can mimic as many wild behaviors as possible in their second home, the zoo. To broaden the animal's range of behavior within the limited space, they hide food in various places and ways, allow the animals to find it, and place different toys for them, enabling them to play, have fun, and exercise. Help nationally protected animals keep their natural habits! Hyosung Chemical employees gathered kudzu vines from around the zoo, and weaved them into a ball. They tossed the ball to Himalayan tahrs so that they would smell the vines, and roll and nibble on it as a way to relieve stress. To treat Endangered Wildlife Class 1 Asiatic black bears with a keen sense of smell, they scraped out the inside of ripe pumpkins and stuffed them with nuts, fruit and vegetables that bears enjoy. Playing with the pumpkins keeps the bears physically active as they pull the treats out of the pumpkins. Hyosung Chemical employees plan to visit the zoo regularly, and get actively involved in animal behavior enrichment to help these animals maintain their natural behaviors. “Green actions” at the factory beyond the zoo Hyosung Chemical’s products reflect their commitment to preserving biodiversity and the environment. The key is polyketone, a type of plastic that consumes carbon monoxide, one of the major air pollutants. Polyketone, the result of long years of research and development by Hyosung Chemical, uses carbon monoxide and olefin as its key ingredients, which are known to be the main factors of global warming. Generally, factories emit greenhouse gases in the process of manufacturing their products, but the production of polyketone reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast to other major materials which emit greenhouse gases in the manufacturing process, Hyosung Chemical’s new material, polyketone creates an opposite consequence, due to company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Hyosung Chemical is taking several actions to increase the quality of life for mankind, protect the ecosystem for peaceful coexistence of humans and nature, and cope with climate change. Eco-friendly plastics for lowering carbon monoxide Let’s learn more about polyketone, a leading eco-friendly material from Hyosung Chemical. Hyosung Chemical became the world’s first producer of polyketone, a new type of engineering plastic in 2013 and the first to commercialize it successfully two years later. Since it is made from carbon monoxide, which is a major air pollutant and olefin (ethylene, propylene), a type of petrochemical material, the more polyketone is produced, the more carbon monoxide and olefin are consumed, making it a smart material that contributes to improving the planet’s environment. Polyketone, the new material developed by Hyosung Chemical alone has lower global warning potential than other engineering plastics. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and objective reviews have found that this special material has CO2-reducing effects. Because of this property, polyketones are widely used in various fields. With the acquisition of FDA certifications for zero harm to the human body and safety, it is currently used as a key material for many household items including food conveyors, wrapping materials for cosmetics and beauty products and baby toys. Due to its superior features including shock, wear and chemical resistance, the scope of its application continues to widen to automobile connectors, electronic and electrical gears, and oil-drilling pipes. Energy-saving smart factory In 2020, Hyosung Chemical launched a smart factory system in 2020 that utilizes real time data on all production-related resources used in all factories, and analyzes the collected data to create an optimal production environment. An optimized operation in 2021 resulted KRW 11.7 billion in cost savings, including a higher yield and energy savings. The activities of Hyosung’s contribute to cost reduction, as well as reducing unnecessary resource use that would negatively impact on the environment, and preserving the environment by saving resources. In 2022, it reduced energy use and carbon emissions through system advancement, proactively responding to climate change. Make factories run on new renewable energy Hyosung Chemical uses steam produced by waste heat generated from burning waste at municipal waste incinerators near its factories to save energy at its factories, and installed photovoltaic power generation facilities within its factories. As a result, the company produced a total of 171,694kWh in 2021, while also planning to introduce more such facilities and gradually increasing the use of new renewable energy as a percentage of total energy use. Energy saving training for employees To raise awareness of the importance of responding to climate change, Hyosung Chemical provides its employees with group training every year for two hours on how to save energy. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, production, process, and technology teams of factories engaged in energy saving are taught how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a tangible manner. In addition, the company conducts an internal audit on greenhouse gas emissions once every year. The Environmental Safety Team distributes a self-evaluation sheet to each business division, and notifies areas of improvement and recommendations based on the results of the evaluation so that they are reflected and implemented at worksites. Hyosung Chemical strives to ensure no harm to the environment akin to polyketone. Hyosung Chemical’s efforts to upgrade the quality of life for mankind are not limited to making environmentally friendly products. Above all, it is actively involved in keeping the planet and environment clean by reducing the company’s carbon footprint throughout the entire manufacturing process. The company continues helps nationally-protected species at the zoo return to their natural habitats and live as nature intended. Hyosung Chemical contributes to the coexistence of nature and people in a better future. With Hyosung Chemical, the dream of coexistence comes true slowly but surely.
2023-05-26