Like BTS, Hyosung’s Homegrown ‘Bulletproof’ Brand ALKEX® to Go Global
BTS, the K-pop icon group that grew into a global pop icon of the century, has topped global music charts including the US Billboard, UK Official Chart, and Japan’s Oricon. The artist has recorded the No.1 in global music sales. BTS which stands for “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” is actually about making a statement: To be resistant to ‘bullets’ of hardships, stereotypes, and pressure the younger generations around the world are suffering. As BTS protects the youth with its music, Hyosung Advanced Materials’ aramid brand, ALKEX® helps assure people’s safety as it is a key material in bulletproof jackets, helmets and vehicles. Hyosung’s aramid brand ALKEX® that ensures everyone’s safety The super fiber aramid is polyamide with over 85% of amide bond (-CONH-) formation, which makes it bullet resistant. It is five times stronger than steel and 19 times more flexible than nylon. Boasting fire-retardant quality and the same tensile strength as that of nylon, it can sustain extremely high temperatures as high as 500°C. Aramid comes in two forms: meta-aramid and para-aramid. Hyosung Advanced Materials produces meta-aramids that account for the majority of the global market. Hyosung has developed aramid yarn back in 2003 based on its proprietary technology and succeeded in commercialization in 2009. ALKEX® is a combined word of an ancient Greek word ‘ALKE’ (the strength that protects you) and the English word ‘X’ representing words like ‘extreme,’ ‘expert’ and ‘extraordinary.’ The name itself represents Hyosung’s commitment to providing high-quality products that go beyond expectations of customers. Hyosung Advanced Materials is a total solution provider, offering various products that cater to a wide range of customer needs based on new technology and know-how from its business lines. The company engages in production and sales of industrial materials ranging from aramids to various tire reinforcement materials to the carbon fiber TANSOME®. A ‘good’ fiber not only stops bullets but also cares for the environment Of course, mankind’s safety and comfort through technology always comes first in everything we do at Hyosung. But we also care for the environment and our next generation. Hyosung runs a pre-chemical treatment facility for wastewater treatment to process up to 2,000 tons of high strength wastewater every day. The wastewater undergoes the pre-treatment process of storage tank, neutralization tank, oxidation tank, reaction tank and sedimentation tank before entering wastewater treatment facility. Aramid in everyday life What are the areas this super fiber is applied to? It is mainly applied in areas designed to protect human and objects such as bulletproof materials, reinforcement materials for vehicles, hose, belts and tires, fiber optic cables and rope reinforcements, and safety gloves. For its outstanding bulletproof functionality, aramid materials are used as core materials for bulletproof jackets, vests, helmets and vehicles. It is no exaggeration to say the history of bulletproof jackets has begun with the development of aramid. As such, its standing in the bulletproof industry is unparalleled. It is also used for anti-blade and anti-spike purposes to protect the body from sharp objects, for example aramid gloves. Being light and fatigue resistant, it shines when applied to mechanical rubber goods, or MRG, which require heat resistance and durability (e.g., reinforcement for tire, hose, belts). Its application is continuing to expand with recent increasing adoption in fiber optic cables, which has been growing in demand due to the expansion of 5G technology. Hyosung aramid going global Hyosung has continued to invest in advanced materials as the company’s future growth engine. As part of such efforts, it has expanded its aramid production facility in 2021 to scale up supply of the fiber. Hyosung Advanced Materials has stepped up its output of aramids from 1,200 tons/year to 3,700 tons/year in a bid to increase its global market share. Hyosung Advanced Materials participated in Milipol Paris 2021, an international defense industry exhibition to showcase ALKEX®’s super stab-resistance and bulletproof functionality as well as lightweight bulletproof jackets and helmets built on newly developed high tenacity yarns. As such, Hyosung has put strenuous efforts to meet the needs of global customers with its unparalleled products to grow into a global leader in aramid material.
2023-01-18
Efforts to Curb Temperature Rise Below 1.5 Degrees, the Danger Line for Global Warming
Leaders from across the world gathered in Paris in December 2015. Their nationalities and cultures differed, but they had a single goal in mind: To curb temperature rise caused by global warming. There had been numerous meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change before this one, but they all had ended without any resolution due to conflicting interests. However, this time was different, because everyone at the table knew what was at stake: the imminent and urgent necessity of addressing climate change. With the Paris agreement adopted, the world is pulling together to curb down the temperature rise to below 1.5 °C. Hyosung as a global citizen is also playing its part. It is envisioning a carbon neutral future by promoting hydrogen, a clean energy source. By 2025, Hyosung plans to secure hydrogen production technologies driven by blue and green hydrogen that emits lower or zero greenhouse gas in a bid to build a clean hydrogen ecosystem. Based on such technologies, development and demonstration of carbon-reduction technologies will be pursued accordingly. By 2030, a total of 1 trillion Won (equivalent to 1 billion USD) will be invested to achieve technological self-sufficiency when it comes to development and utilization of hydrogen energy. This is also expected to help Korea reduce carbon emission by 10%. To this end, key affiliates of Hyosung Group are putting efforts to build the hydrogen value chain of production, storage, distribution, supply and consumption. Why is holding global warming to 1.5 °C such a big deal? 1.5 Degrees, the Danger Line for Global Warming According to the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C’ released by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2018, a 1.5°C global warming above pre-industrial levels will put the humanity as a whole and our home planet Earth in grave danger. Can you imagine the North Pole without ice? A 1.5°C average temperature rise would increase the probability of an iceless summer to every 100 years. A 2°C rise would mean the probability increase to once every ten years. An iceless Arctic Ocean will absorb a larger proportion of sunlight and in turn further accelerate global warming. This will mean higher temperature, more frequent heavy rain and flooding. If an iceless North Pole meets with heavy rain, it will lead to sea level rise to inundation of coastal residential areas. Marine ecosystems will be no exception. Especially, habitat-forming species such as coral reefs compared to their mobile counterparts will take the hardest hit. A 1.5°C rise in temperature could wipe out as much as up to 90% of coral reefs in the world. Without coral reefs, maritime biodiversity will be significantly destroyed which will then affect the world’s fish ecosystem. It is expected the global overall fish catch will decline 150,000 tons per annum. Remember the dire heat waves and droughts that hit around the globe last summer? A 1.5°C rise is estimated to bring such deadly heat waves to 14% of the global population at least once every five years. While we hesitate, the global temperature is fast approaching a 1.5°C rise. If we do not take action now, what was taken for granted will disappear very quickly, and there will only be regrets when the nature and ecosystem are destroyed. Let’s take a look at how Hyosung is partaking in building a carbon-neutral future driven by hydrogen. Hyosung, a Hydrogen Superhero Affiliated companies of Hyosung have been pulling together to commercialize hydrogen to replace fossil fuel, in order to build the hydrogen value chain of production, storage, distribution, supply and consumption. Liquid hydrogen is at the front line of Hyosung’s such efforts. As one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Korea, Hyosung has partnered with a global gas name Linde to jointly build Hyosung Hydrogen and Linde Hydrogen Energy. Linde Hydrogen Energy which will be responsible for production of hydrogen is to build the world’s largest liquid hydrogen facility with an annual capacity of 13,000 tons with an aim to kick off in May 2023. This facility will process enough hydrogen to fuel 100,000 cars. Hyosung Hydrogen will be leading the global expansion and distribution of the hydrogen production with an aim to expand its liquid hydrogen refueling stations up to 30 by the time the facility is built. The main driver of the entire hydrogen businesses pursued at the conglomerate is Hyosung Heavy Industries. Based on its experience of building a nation-wide network of CNG filling stations since 1999, the company has been the leading player in domestic hydrogen refueling stations. As of today, it has built 25 hydrogen gas stations across major cities in the country with 16 more in pipeline. Hyosung Heavy Industries is also a leader in wind power turbine and ESS. Its 50MW capacity ESSs require top notch technology as they are often directly connected to important facilities such as national grid and large-scale factories. Hyosung Heavy Industries supplies ESS to major electricity names from England and South Africa. Hyosung Chemical is responsible for production of hydrogen gas. It sells 12,000 tons of hydrogen gas extracted during the process of propylene, the key material for plastic production. Starting from next year, Hyosung Chemical is to supply liquid hydrogen jointly with Linde. When liquefied, hydrogen gas volume is reduced to 1/800, making storage easier and storage capacity larger. In turn, liquid hydrogen refueling stations require only 30% of the space required for hydrogen gas stations. All in all, supply of this by-product hydrogen with price competitiveness is expected to facilitate a hydrogen economy. Hyosung TNC and Hyosung Advanced Materials supply materials required for hydrogen storage tanks. Nylon for tank liners from Hyosung TNC and carbon fiber for tank structure from Hyosung Advanced Materials are critical for safe hydrogen transportation. Carbon fiber is also used in fuel tanks in hydrogen vehicles. Time to get used to charging, not refueling A future where we fill our cars not with gasoline or diesel but with hydrogen at gas stations is just around the corner. It will not end there. Electricity supplied to homes and buildings will be based on hydrogen, while fossil fuel power stations will be replaced with hydrogen fuel cell power plants. This will significantly cut down emission of air pollutants into the air. Steel mills will also be able to produce steels on carbon-free hydrogen energy. We already have witnessed how changes can bring about positive results amid the pandemic. Border lockdowns led to economy contraction but ironically the pandemic improved our environmental situations. Less vehicle travels and lower industrial production meant lower emission of greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide and air pollutants. According to the World Meteorological Organization, since the pandemic PM2.5 (fine particular matters) have declined as much as 40% in Africa, South Americas and South Asia. Hyosung hopes the clean blue sky we enjoyed during the pandemic is here to stay. In the face of the villain greenhouse gas that is inflicting the world, our superhero Hyosung continues on its fight to prevent global warming from reaching a 1.5 °C rise.
2023-01-16
Liquid Hydrogen to Take Renewable Energy to a Whole New Level
The water that makes Earth a majestic blue marble An image of Earth taken from a distance in space resembles a blue marble thanks to water that accounts for 75% of earth’s surface. Water is the most essential element for life on earth which has not been found in any other planets in the solar system. Without water, there is no life on earth and a drop of water holds a renewable energy source that could make or break the future of humanity: Hydrogen. Hydrogen, a green energy source that will replace fossil fuels Many scientists believe ever since humanity started to use fossil fuels greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere has increased which in turn has pushed up overall temperature of earth. What can be done for a sustainable future of our planet Earth? Of course, most of all we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, the traditional energy consumption methods that heavily rely on fossil fuels make it challenging to achieve net-zero emissions. That is where hydrogen comes in. The renewable energy source does not emit carbon dioxide when it is put to produce energy. Hyosung has been taking the lead in building an energy ecosystem built on hydrogen. Green energy source, liquid hydrogen Hyosung has long been paying attention to hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels. Hydrogen contains three times the energy of gasoline and it is easy to store and transport with ensured safety and convenience, as its raw material is water. When it’s burned it produces no harmful emissions; its only byproducts are nitrogen and water. In a bid to enhance efficiency in hydrogen distribution, Hyosung has been involved in turning gaseous hydrogen into liquid one. Hydrogen stays in the liquid form at a temperature of minus 253 degrees in Celsius which can be easily stored and transported as its volume is just 1/800 that of gaseous hydrogen, and also offers better energy efficacy. Liquid hydrogen refueling stations require less space than that of gaseous ones, saving costs for construction. They also require less operational costs thanks to high-efficient low electricity pumps and also offer higher energy density. Hyosung to expand hydrogen distribution with liquid hydrogen Hyosung is to increase its liquid hydrogen production and distribution. As our economy transitions into hydrogen economy, there will be more hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and commercial hydrogen cars such as hydrogen buses and trucks on the roads. Thus building an efficient liquid hydrogen supply system of storage and transport is a must. Hyosung is to build a liquid hydrogen plant in the near future. To build a world’s largest liquid hydrogen plant Built on its 20-year long technology in gas plants, Hyosung has secured the number one position in hydrogen charging stations in Korea. It has recently joined hands with Linde Group, a global industrial gas name, to build the world’s largest liquid hydrogen factory on a 30,000m2 site in its Ulsan Yongyeon factory with daily capacity of 30 tons. The plant will kick off its operation in May 2023 to start supplying liquid hydrogen from the second half of the year. This plant will produce up to 13,000 tons of liquid hydrogen per year, enough to fuel 100,000 hydrogen vehicles for a year. It aims to increase production capacity to 90 tons/day and 39,000 tons/annum by 2030. Bringing hydrogen close to everyday life Four liquid hydrogen charging stations are currently being built in Geoje, Ulsan, Gyeongsan and Gwangyang with an aim to expand the national network of charging stations up to 30 by the time the plant in Yongyeon is completed in construction. At recharging stations, liquid hydrogen allows much faster refills ― it takes far shorter time for the liquid to be pumped out than for the gas to be compressed. Liquid hydrogen recharging stations require less upfront investment and maintenance costs. At a time of contingency, they can be readily fixed through the national maintenance system. Aims to grow global with its hydrogen roadmap Hyosung has been emerging as a leading player in the global hydrogen industry backed by technology built in Hyosung Heavy Industries and Hyosung Chemical, and experience and knowhow acquired through joint ventures with global names. Hyosung aims to expand hydrogen’s use in transportation is evolving in all areas of mobility spanning passenger vehicles, buses, trucks, heavy machinery, airplanes, drones as well as vessels and submarines. It also plans to build a strong hydrogen value chain of production, storage, transport, supply and consumption with its green and blue hydrogen production. Please stay with Hyosung as it continuously works on its hydrogen roadmap to grow into a world’s leading hydrogen provider.
2022-11-25
The Hidden Story Behind Power Transformers: Hyosung’s Commitment to the Environment
It is nearly impossible to imagine a life without electricity, as most people cannot live without electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and refrigerators. What if the power went out on a hot summer day? It will be tough for anyone to survive even a single day. No one would deny that electricity is one of the most essential parts of our lives. But not many people would know the role of the power transformer in bringing this indispensable electricity to our lives. Yes, we know what power plants are. But what are power transformers? Transformers are for transforming electrical power from one voltage to another. They also come in the form of voltage converters we see daily in our homes, such as 110V/220V converters and utility pole transformers. Power transformers in power plants or substations, the ones we do not usually bump into, transform voltages in the hundreds of thousands of volts range. As such, they are very crucial to our lives but, in a way, being taken for granted. Indeed, not many of us appreciate that there is a ‘hidden’ green technology in transformers designed to protect the environment: Insulating oil. Ester filled Transformer The oil in transformers acts as an insulant to prevent arcing between parts of the transformer. Committed to sustainable development and environment protection, Hyosung Heavy Industries has developed ester oil transformers to minimize environmental impact and prevent fires and explosions, which are risks transformers filled with mineral oil often carry. Hyosung has supplied over 180 ester oil transformers to countries in Europe and the Middle East, contributing to environmental protection. This eco-friendly ester oil is less toxic, slower in soil penetration, and faster in biodegradability compared to traditional mineral oil. All of which means a lower risk of fire or explosion. The ester oil transformers can be extensively used, ranging from offshore wind farms and substations to underground substations in cities and renewable power plants without much concern for environmental impact. The fire point of ester oil is above 300°C, much higher than that of mineral oil, ensuring fire resistance. As such, ester oil transformers do not require extra space for installation of fire protection facilities, or allowances of safety distances and thus fewer costs. Additionally, their life cycles are much longer than that of conventional transformers. Hyosung Heavy Industries has signed long-term ester-filled power transformers supply contracts with the British Transmission Operator. The UK is a leading country in insulating oil applications. Furthermore, Hyosung, being widely recognized for its technology and safety, has contracted to supply the eco-friendly transformers in sophisticated markets, including France. Hyosung Heavy Industries, a leader in the transformer market in Korea Hyosung Heavy Industries developed the 154kV transformer for the first time in Korea in 1969 and the 765kV extra-high-voltage transformer in 1992, the sixth of its kind in the world and the first in Korea. As a global leader, Hyosung Heavy Industries supplies a wide range of transformers up to 765kV and 1,500MVA, and with both core form and shell form technology, it offers a wide range of solutions to customers. Going beyond international technical specification requirements Hyosung Heavy Industries designs, manufactures and tests its transformers in line with international technical specifications such as IEC, ANSI, IEEE, NEMA, BS, JIS, and JEC, and Hyosung supplies them to over 85 countries. As a total power solution provider, Hyosung has produced over 6,000 units of power transformers in its Changwon production facility. With its dust-proof clean room facilities, Hyosung’s transformer manufacturing process ensures temperature and humidity control and thus supreme quality control. Its highly trained process operators and technicians conduct additional tests to ensure stable production, an extra layer of process that befits Hyosung’s standing as a leading transformer provider worldwide. Transformers are indispensable for changing voltage in power lines for everyday usage in average households. And behind them lies Hyosung’s technology and commitment to the environment. As such, Hyosung’s dedication to the environment continues behind the scenes.
2022-11-21
Don’t Judge a Tire by Its Maker!
The growing semiconductor chip shortage has directly translated into a lack of new vehicles. Customers who are tired of waiting increasingly turn to used cars. When buying a used car, one of the first things one might do is to change tires, as they are easily disposable. Choosing the right tire is critical to safety and drivability. Of course, the tire brand name would be one of the critical criteria in selecting the right tires, but one also needs to look further into what they are made of. Did you know that Hyosung’s technology is embedded in tires indispensable to our daily lives? Embedded in the tire - reinforcement materials One might think that tires are made of rubber but that’s not the case. There are a lot of reinforcement materials inside tires that ensure better safety, lifespan and drivability. Here are some of them: ① Tread: the rubber on the circumference that makes contact with the road ② Carcass: the inner layer of the tire which helps in absorbing load and shock ③ Belt: located between tread and carcass, belts resist punctures and help treads and carcasses to stay safe when driving. ④ Cap ply: Cap ply helps tires hold shape and keep them stable at high speed. ⑤ Bead: the reinforced section that comes in contact with the rim and prevents air leakage from within the tire There are so many reinforcement materials in tires. The carcass has polyester tirecords, belts have nylon tirecords and steel cords, and the bead has bead wire as reinforcement materials. Hyosung Advanced Materials manufactures all of these materials with its unparalleled technology and production capacity. Tirecords built on green materials Hyosung’s polyester tirecords (PET) enjoy nearly 50% of market share in the world and Hyosung Advanced Materials has long maintained its number one position in the global market for over 20 years. As the leading player, Hyosung continues to put efforts and investment into green product development. Hyosung Advanced Materials has begun the development of recycled PET products using waste plastic bottles since 2020, and has now completed its commercialization. This product can contribute to reducing environmental degradation by cutting down on landfill volume and carbon emissions. Compared to conventional tirecords, it emits 44% less greenhouse gas. Hyosung has also developed bio-PET yarn from ethylene glycol extracted from sugar canes or corns. This contributes to a 16% cut in greenhouse gas emission compared to existing polyester tirecords. Hyosung’s commitment to a net-zero society is also manifested in its lyocell tirecords made from wood. Hyosung Advanced Materials has succeeded in the development and production of lyocell tirecords extracted from wood in a bid to replace rayon tirecords optimized for high speeds under which durability is the key. It uses raw materials extracted from wood and thus when put into production it does not emit carbon bisulfide or sulfureted hydrogen. In turn it does not require water treatment for processing the harmful materials, meaning less water contamination caused by the production process. For these reasons, global tire makers around working on carbon emission cut are turning to lyocell tirecords that promise a 30% cut in greenhouse gas emission. Hyosung Advanced Materials continues on its journey to sustainability on the steady rolling tires The Company’s journey does not end there. Hyosung Advanced Materials has been leading the world in carbon neutral green management by investing in R&D on high strength and lightweight products. The aim is to contribute to cutting greenhouse gas emission and energy consumption while further enhancing the durability of tires. As a reliable supplier of the materials to the world’s top tire makers, Hyosung Advanced Materials will continue on its efforts in R&D and technology development.
2022-11-18
Meet regen® - A Cornerstone to the Circular Economy for Plastics
Eco-Friendly Trend in the Fashion Market Fashion is one of the most expressive ways to identify oneself. Although there are considerations when buying clothes, such as design, color, practicality, and comfort, young people use fashion to reflect their thoughts, values, and personal preferences. Recently, environmentally friendly products have gained interest globally and become a trend in the fashion industry, especially among Generation Z. Due to the emerging eco-friendly fashion trends in textiles, the consumer have begun to pay attention to eco-friendly fiber. Such fiber reduces carbon emissions to protect the global environment by limiting fossil fuel consumption throughout the cycle of production, distribution, and purchase. regen®, Hyosung’s eco-friendly fiber brand is 100% recycled fibers, and is recently leading this trend. regen® Sources its Raw Materials from 100% Used PET Bottles The ‘OECD's Global Plastics Outlook’ states that plastic waste will triple from 353 billion tons in 2019 to 1.14 billion in 2060. Are there any contingency plans to reduce the amount of plastic waste? The answer could be discovered in the plastic waste itself. Hyosung TNC launched its textile business in the 1960s and has contemplated resolutions to reduce plastic waste by recycling them. The company found a clue from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, a standard waste product. PET bottles are created from polyester, thus, they can be recycled into polyester yarn, one of the synthetic fibers produced by Hyosung TNC. In 2008, Hyosung TNC became the first and foremost recycled polyester fiber provider in Korea, successfully presenting their recycled polyester fiber after five years of R&D. It is called “regen®,” which abbreviates the word regeneration. regen® recycles products that have been used and discarded, to create an entirely new product. Transformation of post-consumer waste PET bottles into regen® starts from collecting and thoroughly cleaning used bottles. Then, the cleaned bottles are crushed and melted into plastic chips, the size of a small rice grain. These chips are then melted and extruded at high temperature, transforming the waste plastic bottles into regen®, a 100% recycled polyester yarn. Since recycled yarns use waste bottles as the raw material, maintaining the same quality as existing virgin product is highly challenging. However, Hyosung TNC made a breakthrough with their superior technology. regen® demonstrates quality at par with existing standard polyester yarn, featuring an even, luxurious appearance; it also maintains vivid colors when dyed. regen® minimizes not only microplastic waste but also reduces plastic waste in landfills, reducing additional carbon dioxide emissions which could have come from burning used bottles. One ton of regen® yarn requires about 66,000 500ml plastic bottles; hence, it is one of the most representative types of eco-friendly yarn technology. regen® Ocean, regen® Seoul, and regen® Jeju: Named after the Origin of Used PET bottles Hyosung TNC strives to reduce plastic waste in the ocean. Hyosung TNC reinforces its recycling technology for post-consumer PET bottles, launching regen® Polyester and regen® Ocean Polyester. As for the regen® Ocean Polyester, it is strictly sourced from discarded waste bottles collected from the seashore within 200 meters or 10 km from the coastline, where there is no waste collection facility nearby. In other words, it either utilizes the floating waste PET bottles collected in the ocean or submerged waste – ocean waste that cannot be reached from the facility on the shore. In collaboration with Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority, regen® Ocean Polyester was developed from recycled PET bottles and yarns discharged from vessels near the port area. The regen® Ocean Polyester has been accredited the Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) certification for the first time in Korea from the Control Union, a prestigious eco certification body in the Netherlands. Hyosung TNC also introduced regional editions that specify the regions where the waste PET bottles were collected. Since 2020, the company has been producing regen® Seoul and regen® Jeju, utilizing recycled PET bottles collected from the city of Seoul and Jeju, respectively. regen® Ocean Nylon Protects the Marine Environment by Recycling Discarded Fishing Nets One of Hyosung TNC's recycled yarns, regen® Ocean Nylon, is “the world's first technology of its kind.” This eco-friendly yarn from waste fishing nets is a recycled fiber that requires more advanced technology compared to regen® Polyester. Hyosung TNC is profoundly interested in the aquatic ecosystem, recognizing that 46% of discarded garbage into the sea is waste fishing gear, such as fishing nets and lines. Abandoned fishing nets do not decompose well in the sea and endanger sea creatures. To help save the sea creatures, Hyosung TNC developed regen® Ocean Nylon, the world's first post-consumer recycled nylon fiber made by recycling waste fishing nets collected from the ocean. Hyosung TNC plans to facilitate marine environment protection by increasing regen® Ocean Nylon sales and introducing recycled yarns in more diverse fields. Contributing to Creating a Virtuous Cycle for Plastic – Regen Has It Covered Hyosung TNC’s regen® products are examples of post-consumer recycled (PCR) products used by end-users and recycled into entirely new products. These products of Hyosung are currently leading the economic cycle of the textile industry. As a sustainable fiber that contributes to reducing waste, the regen® products directly practice circular economy by recycling used resources. regen®, pursuing both environmental protection and high-quality performance, is used in various fields, from outdoor to fashion brands to the automobile industry, through collaboration with leading global brands. regen® is the cornerstone of circular economy for plastics that contribute to creating a healthy environment. For consumers who value eco-friendliness and sustainability, please remember regen® when shopping.
2022-11-16
Hyosung’s Commitment to Green Management: The Numbers Speak for Themselves
The uprising trend for future-oriented business: ESG Concerns about climate change, global warming, and depleting resources have brought the idea of a new growth paradigm to the fore. Once foreign to many, the word ‘sustainable growth’ has become the uprising trend for future-oriented businesses. ESG, the acronym for Environmental, Social, and Governance, now has become a critical business milestone in their business direction. At the same time, it is also true that some businesses conveniently chose to jump on the bandwagon to claim that they have adopted ESG management just because sustainability is in fashion. Here we have a company that has advanced our life for humanity; its business mission leading in various activities designed for environmental protection and carbon neutrality. That is no other than Hyosung, a leader in technology. To minimize its corporate footprint, Hyosung has been dedicated to sustainable growth by developing products and technology designed to facilitate the hydrogen economy and develop resource recycling technology and eco-friendly materials. And we at Hyosung stand by our numbers. Our environmental research and development investments are estimated to be over KRW104.3 billion (USD75 million), and our registered patents are over 3,310. Hyosung’s mission to sustainable management, ‘Green Management Vision 2030' The most notable eco-friendly activities pursued by Hyosung include its initiative called ‘Green Management Vision 2030.’ The initiative has four targeted goals of greenhouse gas reduction, development of eco-friendly technology and expansion of subsequent markets, building a green company culture, and enhancing stakeholder trust. Hyosung has pursued subsequent strategies alongside its company-level climate change strategy for sustainable management. 1) Greenhouse gas reduction In line with the nationally determined contribution target set forth by the ROK government in 2021, Hyosung has renewed its commitment to greenhouse gas reduction from a 20.5% cut in 2017 to a 14.5% cut in 2018 under its Green Management Vision 2030. As such, the company has established a mid-and-long term reduction plan across the whole business encompassing planning, research, and production. On top of this, the risk management process on climate change is now in place to identify risks and opportunities that climate change brings and to update risk management status annually for the sake of ESG management. 2) Development of eco-friendly technology and expansion of subsequent markets Based on the goal of developing eco-friendly technology and expanding subsequent markets under Vision 2030, Hyosung has put the utmost effort into R&D in technology and product development to secure new growth engines and accomplish sustainable growth. Let’s take a look at some of those examples. ■ A key renewable energy technology, energy storage system or ESS that enables storage of electricity for future use Energy storage system or ESS, which helps save electricity for future use, is emerging as one of the most important facilities for the energy industry and electricity of the future as renewable energy power generation is growing in share. Hyosung offers a whole life-cycle service on ESS encompassing customized consulting, system building, and post-management. Our technology has received rave reviews from electricity powerhouses in Europe. Hyosung Heavy Industries signed a contract in 2021 to supply 50-megawatt energy storage systems to U.K. energy infrastructure investment company Downing LLP. With this deal, Hyosung is providing a total ESS solution to the UK that will involve designing, supplying, and a 10-year maintenance service. It is noticeable that the ROK company’s proprietary technology has been recognized by the UK, a country that has been leading the world’s efforts in carbon neutrality and a transition to renewable energy. ■ Insulating materials such as transformer and gas insulated switchgear replaced with green products Hyosung Heavy Industries, a leading provider of electric equipment such as transformers and gas-insulated switchgear that are key to the electrical grid, has led the efforts to develop and commercialize green insulating materials. Hyosung has developed an eco-friendly transformer using ester oil as alternative insulation, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing safety against fire. Hyosung has been supplying this eco-friendly transformer to overseas markets such as Europe and the Middle East. The company also developed 170kV Gas Insulated switchgear utilizing Novec gas blending in 2021 and plans to adopt it to newly built power transmission plants and projects designed to replace outworn facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in electric power systems. ■ To build a large-scale liquefied hydrogen plant to expand the hydrogen business Committed to carbon neutrality, Hyosung Chemical and Hyosung Heavy Industries have been proactively pursuing the hydrogen business. With an existing hydrogen charging system, Hyosung supplies a charging system for passenger and commercial vehicles and plans to provide dedicated charging stations for heavy machinery in line with the hydrogen fuelization efforts for excavators and forklift trucks. In addition, Hyosung is constructing the world’s largest liquefied hydrogen plant designed to improve the efficiency of hydrogen storage and transportation. Liquefied hydrogen offers much better efficiency in storage and transportation thanks to its higher density than that stored in the air. Hyosung plans to contribute to facilitating hydrogen mobility by proactively producing liquefied hydrogen. In response to the growing trend in sustainable mobility and transition to the hydrogen economy, Hyosung joined hands with the world’s leading gas name Linde Group to build a 13,000-ton liquefied hydrogen plant by 2023 with an estimated investment of KRW300 billion (USD215 million). It will be built on the site of Hyosung Chemical’s Yongyeon factory. ■ TANSOME®, lighter but stronger than steel Hyosung Advanced Materials developed TANSOME®, carbon fiber 10 times stronger than steel. It is one of the essential materials for producing fuel tanks for hydrogen vehicles. The carbon fiber-based high-pressure tanks are much lighter while promising better fuel efficiency. Hyosung sees a future where its TANSOME will be critical in green energy and the automobile industry where weight reduction is imperative. ■ Low carbon lyocell tire cords Hyosung Advanced Materials has developed lyocell tire cords derived from woods used for high-speed vehicles for its durability. Using materials with minimum pollution impacts, unlike conventional materials such as rayon and nylon tire cords which generate pollutants including carbon bisulfide and sulfureted hydrogen, lyocell tire cords offer 30 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions. ■ Eco-friendly engineering plastic material, polyketone Based on its proprietary technologies developed in 2013, Hyosung Chemical produces engineering plastic POKETONE™. Made of carbon monoxide (a leading cause of air pollution), Hyosung’s polyketone uses 0.5 tons of carbon monoxide for 1 kg of Poketone production. The material is approved by the US FDA for its non-toxic characteristics and thus has been widely used for kids’ toys, food processing conveyors, and cosmetic packaging. It is now being adopted in new sectors such as automobiles, electric and electronic gear, and drilling pipes. Especially, Polyketone is safe and durable for its impact and abrasion resistance, and ductility. It is a semi-permanent material that doesn’t require the replacement of components and thus offers higher sustainability than general or disposable plastic materials. As a leading eco-friendly plastic material, Polyketone also offers lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to other engineering plastics and is proven through LCA or life cycle assessment and other external reviews to be effective in reducing CO2 emission. Hyosung Chemical has expanded its application to broader areas such as building materials, automobiles, household items, and leisure goods. ■ Recycled polyester yarn created from post-consumer PET bottles, regen® With plastic waste emerging as a global issue, Hyosung TNC developed 100 percent recycled polyester yarn from discarded PET bottles ‘regen® polyester’ back in 2008. The textile powerhouse Hyosung TNC’s regen® polyester offers the same level of quality and performance as conventional polyester materials. It is loved by leading fashion names worldwide for its outstanding quality and stable supply thanks to Hyosung’s extensive global network. It also offers 60 percent less CO2 emissions than other polyester products. Hyosung TNC has been producing ‘regen® ocean nylon’ since 2007, a recycled nylon yarn from fishing net waste that accounts for a large percent of ocean waste. These eco-friendly yarns, regen® polyester and regen® ocean nylon, contribute to sustainability and circular economy by dramatically reducing landfill waste and CO2 emissions. As a leader in the circular economy for the textile industry, Hyosung offers global best practices in quality and stable supply. ■ Bio-based spandex The global number one spandex provider Hyosung TNC learned from the Life Cycle Assessment that materials before they are put into the manufacturing process, have the biggest environmental impact. To address this, the company has developed bio-based spandex to supply them for global leading fashion brands. It is currently working on biodegradable polyester yarn development as part of its effort to diversify its bio yarn portfolio. 3) Sustainable corporate culture In 2021, Hyosung ran an internal idea competition for energy saving and greenhouse gas reduction. Out of the 211 ideas submitted, ranging from energy consumption saving in business sites to product development, 10 passed the thorough deliberation process, and the selected ones have all been implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Assembly lines at Hyosung TNC are all in the process of transitioning to low carbon energy consumption. It uses waste supplied from incineration facilities nearby as a renewable energy source while using biogas produced from an anaerobic digestion system installed in its factories. Hyosung also ran an internal campaign last year to do away with disposable goods in the workplace. Since 2021, paper cups for water coolers in the company have been removed, and instead, it supported employees’ purchase of tumblers. In 2020 alone, it is estimated that around 190,000 paper cups were used at the headquarters of Hyosung TNC. Thus, we believe that by simply cutting down on our use of paper cups daily, we can reduce our CO2 emissions by up to 2 tons per annum. 4) Enhancing stakeholder trust Hyosung has shown an outstanding performance in the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) scores, the most trusted assessment of businesses’ climate change response. In the 2020 CDP Climate Change Awards, Hyosung Advanced Materials was awarded Carbon Management Honors Club, an award for the top five performers, and Carbon Management Sector Honors for the top-notch CDP scorers in respective sectors. CDP is a not-for-profit organization based in London, UK, that discloses environmental impact information such as climate change strategy, CO2 emission, and carbon management of major listed businesses in 91 countries. What we have here is just part of a much larger story regarding Hyosung’s commitment to sustainable management. We at Hyosung believe the future for a fully sustainable Hyosung is just around the corner, with all members of the Hyosung family being committed to a better life for humanity. Hyosung continues to trailblaze daily to honor its carbon reduction commitment to identify sustainable new growth engines and protect our environment.
2022-11-14
Without Packaging, Delicious Deliveries Are Not Possible
Not all plastic is the same! Hyosung Chemical manufactures plastic films that are used in packing instant foods we often purchase. However, can the same packaging be used for all foods? No, it cannot. Different plastic films may need to be used, considering the types and characteristics of the food and its cooking methods. What packaging materials should be used to keep food safe for a long time? Hyosung Chemical, which leads the plastic film industry, will give you the right answer. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to lockdown in many regions where people had to prepare all meals at home. As the pandemic continued, people became tired of cooking their meals every time and started to look for a convenient way to enjoy their food, such as ready-to-eat or pre-cooked products. As a result, savory, suitable home meal replacement (HMR) products have been in high demand even in the third consecutive year of the pandemic. Grand View Research, a global research firm, reported the size of the packaged food market as 14.386 trillion dollars in 2021, predicting an annual growth of 5.1% on average from 2022 to 2030. There are various criteria for selecting pre-cooked food products. Packaging is one of the essential elements for selection because the freshness of food depends on it. Packaging methods vary depending on the type of food, such as sweets, soup, pre-cooked curry or rice, and sandwiches. It is common to utilize plastic films for packaging pre-cooked products. Hyosung Chemical's Film PU produces and supplies PET and nylon films under the Filmore brand. Let’s take a close look at the types of plastic films Hyosung Chemical manufactures. Remember, not all food packaging is the same! Packaging Materials vary by Foods Films are primarily divided into nylon and PET films as packaging materials. In the food industry, nylon films are commonly used for frozen and refrigerated foods, retort foods, easy adhesion, and pharmaceutical packaging; PET films are for general packaging, including food packaging. Hyosung Chemical produces both of these films. Hyosung Chemical’s nylon films can be produced in different thicknesses for different uses, depending on the needs of individual clients. These films also have excellent oxygen barrier properties, making them suitable for packaging food and pharmaceutical products that need long-term storage. Hyosung Chemical's nylon films have been accredited as non-toxic in Korea, the United States, and Japan, assuring consumers of the safety of use. Nylon films for general packaging are used for packaging frozen foods, manufactured meat (ex. ham), and the lid of instant rice products. These films are suitable for maintaining the freshness of the food for a long time since they boast excellent oxygen and gas blockage. In addition, the outstanding printability and durability make these films effective for products prone to tearing or breakages, such as ice, seafood, and frozen foods. Nylon films are used for packaging retort food because of their high-temperature, high-pressure resistance. Retort food is a product that can be heated and eaten in a packaged state, such as instant curry or sauce. Thus, the nylon films used to package retort food protect the product and its contents from deformation with excellent resistance against heat and pressure. Hyosung Chemical's nylon films can protect retort food from oxygen and gas with its impressive thickness, superior adhesion strength, and outstanding durability. The easily adhesive nylon films used for the packaging of instant rice, fresh noodles, and capsules are coated on one side to improve their printability and packaging adhesion compared to other films. Hyosung Chemical, the only domestic supplier of easily adhesive nylon films, manufactures products with enhanced adhesion and gas barrier properties. These films are typically used for general food packaging, instant rice or tofu packaging lids, and spout pouches or bottoms for pouch packaging. Pharmaceutical nylon films are mainly used for packaging capsules or pills. You may have experienced taking out a medicine by pressing the convex part from the plastic package. The package is called blister packaging or packs, made of pharmaceutical nylon films. These films feature excellent durability and moldability. Hyosung Chemical, which produces such high-quality nylon films, is leading the industry in the domestic nylon market and the global market. With their excellent gas and moisture barrier, Hyosung Chemical's PET films are widely used in general packaging, including foods, snacks, retort food, instant coffee packets, and packaged sauce. These films have outstanding adhesion, making them suitable for products that need to be boiled or sterilized at high temperatures using hot water or a microwave. Hyosung Chemical's PET films for general packaging have good printability and adhesion with uniform thickness and heat resistance. Also, these films' versatility makes them valuable in a wide range of foods (confectionery, coffee mix, or retort food packaging that should withstand high temperature and pressure) and non-food packing (detergent refill pouches, cosmetic packaging, etc.). Hyosung Chemical - an R&D Leader of Exceptional Films for Optics and Windows, as well as Food and Daily Necessities PET films strongly reflect light and resist long-term heat, making them useful in various fields. PET films are suitable for optical films in electronic devices such as smartphones, desktops, and computer screens that we use all the time. Optical films are thicker than other films, which blocks harmful substances from electronic devices and increases resistance to external scratches. These films are also crucial in adequately adjusting screens' contrast ratio. PET films for vehicle windows and buildings provide thermal insulation and UV protection. High-gloss sheets for decorative sheets applied to home appliances like refrigerators and washing machines prevent scratches from daily use. Hyosung Chemical also produces PET films for lamination, advertisements, and general usage. Hyosung Chemical produces industrial, optical, and nylon PET films for general packaging at four different locations (domestic and overseas), establishing a research institute for consistent R&D. Even in the food sector, Hyosung Chemical has never stopped its research and development in unique film functions such as antibacterial and antioxidant films as well as films to keep food fresh. Hyosung Chemical has also laid a foothold for growth and increased customer satisfaction by its foray into film fields such as optical, process release, and window applications. Hyosung Chemical uses eco-friendly materials and never stops developing new technologies. This is what makes Hyosung Chemical recognized as the leader in the global film market and a future thriving firm. If you plan to buy a pre-cooked food product today, look closely at the packaging description. If you can recognize the type of film or the raw materials used to package your food, you will be able to enjoy your dinner with a new perspective of the world of packaging.
2022-11-11
Rise High, creora®
The unparalleled global leader in spandex Recent muggy summer weather has pushed many people to turn to outdoor activities or a dip into the pool. More people are thus opting for ‘athleisure’ clothing. Hyosung’s creora® is the main driver behind the casual clothing trend. The spandex brand has continued in the number one market share position for ten years. You might be surprised to discover that creora® is at the core of almost all major sportswear products we use daily. From latecomer to forerunner: Early investment in assembly lines for high-performance products and locally customized marketing paid off Hyosung was the first Korean company to develop this spandex technology back in 1992. Known as the ‘memory chip of textile,’ spandex can stretch up to five to eight times longer than its original length without any change to its original form. Its everyday application ranges from sportswear and underwear to socks and even masks. Though it was a latecomer in the global market, Hyosung dreamed big to create “the world’s best spandex that ushers in a creative 21C’ and named it ‘creora®’ – a combination of two words: ‘creative’ and ‘ora'. And 20 years later, the rest is history. As early as the late 1990s, Hyosung recognized the importance of having an extensive global reach and establishing assembly lines in countries such as China, Vietnam, Turkey, and Brazil. The goal was clear: A stable supply of various products that meet the needs of different customers in different markets at the time they want. Having these production lines ready early and focusing on developing high-performance products has paid off in distinguished stretch, recovery and comfort. It joins with textile businesses and global apparel names to identify market trends and build longer-run business partnerships. In warmer weather, Hyosung proposed products made of yarns with anti-bacterial and UV cut properties. In places like Brazil, known for its love for vivid colors, the company’s customized marketing strategy provides textiles with excellent dyeing properties. Fabric that fits like your own skin Various products are available under the creora® brand that comes in varying characteristics and meet different needs. creora® Power-Fit is a spandex with high power and excellent heat resistance, maintaining its fabric power even at high temperatures or re-dyeing. This offers outstanding deeper color and better fastness dyed with dispersed dyestuff, with excellent stretch recovery. Additionally, it fits like your own skin offering comfort in daily activities and sports. creoa® highly prevents spandex degradation by chlorine elements often used for swimming pool sterilization. It offers higher chlorine resistance than that of general spandex, and thus is applied to swimwear to improve fabric durability. creora® Fresh is a spandex product that possesses excellent deodorizing and durability attributes. Because it effectively removes odors caused by post-exercise sweat, creora® Fresh is always pleasant to wear and leaves you with a refreshing feeling. Additionally, creora® Color+ with the unique color fastness and creora® Black with a deep and exclusive black color also make the color of fabrics deeper and offer comfortable support for the body movements. creora®, rise high with the wings of sustainability As an unparalleled market leader for over 10 years, creora® continues to fulfill its commitment to sustainability through its ESG management. creora® eco-soft enables heat setting at a low temperature compared to common spandex and requires minimal energy consumption when producing yarns, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions. A production of 10,000 T-shirts with 250g/yd (4% spandex) can cut at least 120kg worth of CO2. regen® spandex, a 100% recycled spandex is made from reclaimed industrial waste. It contributes to preserving our environment while offering a similar level of functionality to new spandex despite being produced from recycled material. creora®’s commitment to preserving environments geared toward sustainable yarns will only grow with time. Shortly, it plans to develop a detailed vision for developing bio-based yarns and reducing oil consumption. At the same time, it aims to further consolidate its position as the number one spandex by expanding its market share to 34% by 2026. creora® will only continue to rise higher.
2022-11-10
The Charm of Circular Economy Captivated the World, Turning Waste into Treasure
Abnormal weather conditions that hit the world last summer are a cause for concern. The United Kingdom, known for its cool summer, suffered heat waves as high as 40 degrees in Celsius, so much so that its schools had to close. Greenland lost 18 billion tons of ice in just over three days. The US suffered the most severe heat wave in 90 years, where 28 states out the 50 went around with excessive heat warnings. With these widespread abnormal weather conditions, awareness of the environment has been raised. As such, attention to a circular economy about protecting the environment against climate change has grown accordingly. The circular economy is a must for carbon neutrality The circular economy is a model adopted by Europe designed to avoid the existing linear model where raw materials are mined for production and used products are thrown away after use. In a circular economy, we reuse the used raw materials in every possible way. A successful transition into this renewable energy-based economy is the key to achieving carbon neutrality. Production and disposal of product waste are responsible for 45% of greenhouse gas emissions. In a circular economy, we should be able to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly and thus able to achieve net zero. We have a long way to go. According to the OECD, out of the 15% of plastic waste collected for recycling, only 9% was recycled in 2019. Half of the plastic waste ended up in landfills, nearly 1/5 incinerated. We desperately need an economic model that enables upcycling. Global efforts to build a circular economy We are witnessing international efforts being placed forth for a circular economy. The EU announced the New Circular Economy Action Plan in March 2020, making all plastic packaging recyclable or reusable. The Fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) also agreed to develop an international agreement on plastic pollution prevention by 2024. Korea is no exception: It is pursuing legislation requiring over 30% of PET bottles to be made of recycled materials by 2030 under the K-Circular Economy Implementation Plan for Net Zero, announced in December last year. Biden administration has pledged to succeed President Obama’s renewable energy and energy efficiency policy and promoted the Green New Deal alongside implementation plans for a carbon tax and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The US is now back to the Paris Agreement as of January 20th, 2021, and is set to achieve net zero across the whole economy by 2050 with its Clean Energy and Infrastructure Plan. Multinational companies are also playing their role, and here are some of the examples of those corporates that are pursuing a circular economy as well as environmental protection. The American recycling company TerraCycle introduced LOOP in 2019, a circular platform built on recyclable packaging materials. LOOP offers normal goods such as shampoo, detergents, toothpaste, and food such as ice cream and chocolate in stainless containers and glass or aluminum bottles. Customers returned the containers after they consumed the products for recycling, similar to milk delivery services when used milk bottles were collected and returned for reuse. The platform, designed to reduce plastic container waste, is currently available in the US, Canada, and the UK. In France, known as smoker’s haven, a start-up, Cy-Clope, has launched a cigarette butt recycling service based on circular economy. A single cigarette butt can pollute 500 liters of water, taking as long as 12 years to decompose. The French start-up collects cigarette butts from the streets and recycles them, and its collecting container can hold up to 10,000 cigarette butts, eventually recycling 100%. Cigarette filters are recycled as plastic materials, while the rest are used for compost. Hyosung, a leader in circular economy with its post-consumer PET bottle-based fiber ‘regen®’ A company has been there at least a decade earlier than TerraCycle and Cy-Clope. Hyosung TNC, a chemical fiber affiliate of Hyosung Group, introduced the first Korean recycled polyester fiber regen® in 2008. The yarn is created from post-consumer PET bottles, not existing petrochemical materials. 50 plastic bottles of 500ml are used for one kilogram of regen. As it doesn’t consume petrochemical materials, it also contributes to saving up our limited resources from the earth. International fashion names are using regen® to produce eco-friendly clothing and bags. Since its inception in 1966, when its mother company Tongyang Nylon was established, Hyosung has led new material development R&D efforts in Korea over the past 60 years. Hyosung regen® has acquired Control Union’s Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certification in 2009 and Eco-Mark from the Japan Environment Association for its contribution to sustainability in the textile industry. Hyosung’s 100% recycled polyester fiber leading ocean protection With its dedication to protecting the ocean, a vital buffer against climate change's impacts, Hyosung noted that 80% of ocean waste is plastic. At the same time, 1/3 of them are generated from vessels. Marine debris is collected and disposed of via incineration, creating another layer of environmental degradation. Hyosung’s solution to this problem is ‘regen ocean polyester’ recycled from marine waste. It has acquired the Ocean Bound Plastic certification, the first of its kind for a Korean company. Ocean-bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste recovered from areas up to 50km inland from waterways or 200meters from rivers and thus often not subject to inland waste or recycling system. Hyosung’s regen ocean polyester is made from PET bottles found in the ocean and waterways, fully meeting the strict standards of the OBP. Thus, Hyosung truly fulfills the spirit of “recycling” by collecting those pollutants from the ocean and ‘recycling’ them. The company has developed a thorough process for the recycling process and specification management for quality control. Hyosung TNC takes sustainability and circular economy seriously and has made its regen products one of the key growth engines for the company’s future. World’s first recycled nylon from fishing net waste Building on its advanced nylon technology, Hyosung TNC has introduced a recycled nylon fiber from ocean waste to contribute to building a new circular economy model. Nearly out of the 8 million tons of plastic waste being dumped into the ocean, 640,000 tons are from fishing net waste. Hyosung’s regen ocean nylon, launched in 2007, is the world’s first recycled nylon fiber made from fishing net waste. Turning discarded fishing net waste into high-quality yarns is quite challenging because the marine debris, after being soaked in the salty waters, often comes with many impurities and thus making it tricky to extract caprolactam, a key material for nylon yarns. So much so that there are only two companies in the world with their proprietary technology of nylon recycling. Hyosung TNC was the first company to introduce recycled nylon worldwide based on its decades-old technology and R&D efforts. The company has signed MOUs with Korean local governments such as Busan City and South Jeolla Province in 2021 to expand its regen ocean nylon to increase the capacity to 150 tons per month. We at Hyosung spare no effort in resource sustainability and environmental protection Hyosung offers other recycled fibers such as regen® spandex, recycled spandex from reclaimed waste. regen® spandex is the only commercially available recycled spandex that can be applied for various use and is naturally in high demand. It is made with pre-consumer waste from the company’s virgin creora® spandex yarn manufacturing process. Hyosung’s unparalleled commitment to a circular economy is proven by its decades-long focus on research and technology since the 1960s when it opened its first research center. With its entire portfolio of regen polyester recycled from PET bottles, regen ocean polyester made with PET bottles found in waterways, regen ocean nylon made from fishing net waste, and regen® spandex from reclaimed textile waste, Hyosung continues its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection for the sake of a better life for humanity.
2022-11-08