Last spring, Hyosung announced its partnership with sustainable materials leader, Geno, to produce Bio-BDO derived from sugarcane, powered by Geno’s proprietary BDO technology, at its Vietnam plant. Hyosung’s $1B investment in this intiative is already under development, with the potential of producing up to 50,000 tons of bio-BDO by the end of 2026. In advance of the Future Fabrics Expo London this June 24-25, where Hyosung will be exhibiting, we caught up with Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, Hyosung Global Sustainability Director-Textiles, to get an update on the developments.
Why did Hyosung opt to replace dent corn with sugarcane as the feedstock for regen™ BIO Elastane?
For this second generation of our bio-based elastane, there are three main benefits to upgrading from corn to sugarcane. Firstly, sugarcane has a higher yield per hectare than corn. Secondly, sugarcane is more effective at sequestering carbon than corn. Thirdly, sugarcane’s byproduct, bagasse, can be used as a renewable energy source, further reducing its carbon footprint.
Moving to sugarcane-based bio-BDO is part of our plan to support the textile industry in reducing carbon emissions by moving to more circular business models. Over time, it’s our aim to grow the bio-based proportion of our elastane sales.
Has the switch to the new raw material impacted the performance of the elastane?
There is no change in the characteristics or performance of the elastane itself. The only difference lies in the feedstock used to produce bio-BDO — transitioning from dent corn to sugarcane. The functionality and quality of the elastane remain consistent, allowing customers to enjoy the same high-performance product while benefiting from a more sustainable input material.
What are the strategic benefits of co-locating bio-BDO and Bio-elastane production in Vietnam?
Producing the bio-BDO in Vietnam means that for the first time the industry will have an integrated supply of bio-based elastane in one region, from raw material to fibre. This provides significant benefits to our customers such as faster speed to market, reduced development times and a more robust supply chain.
How is Hyosung approaching sustainable sourcing for sugarcane for the new regen™ BIO Elastane , and are there any updates on the partnerships?
We’re pioneering the use of sugarcane in elastane, creating a new value chain built on traceability, transparency, and certification—priorities for us and our customers. To support this, we needed a partner with deep expertise, strong value chain connections, and practical know-how. After thorough market research, we chose CZ (Czarnikow) for their direct links to farmers, logistical strength, and sustainability focus. Their VIVE platform also offers a robust third party-accredited system to trace the product from farm to factory.
