regen® Spandex
regen: Initiating a New Journey to Reduce Carbon Footprint
With strengthened global unity and responsibility in response to climate change, the expansion of carbon reduction regulations centered around the EU and individual countries is interconnected with our product sustainability initiatives.
Commencing in October 2023, the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Policy (Carbon Tax), applied on a trial basis, imposes taxes on the carbon emissions embedded in all products imported into the EU. This regulation aims to minimize the social costs of climate change. Furthermore, the heightened awareness of sustainability among nations, corporations, and individuals necessitates enhanced transparency in the handling of both ecological and human rights aspects deriving from raw materials.
Taking responsibility for our society’s sustainable future, Hyosung TNC has assumed a leading position in the development of eco-friendly products to help reduce harmful carbon emissions among various industries.
To support our position, we have launched a rebranding initiative to enhance the market presence of our existing ‘regen’ recycled product brand. Through this rebranding program, we are broadening the scope of our sustainable product line beyond recycled products, which contribute towards carbon reduction to include products made from renewable resources such as bio-based and bio-degradable materials.
Spandex Waste's Triumphant Return
In the production of spandex, waste is unavoidably generated. If left untreated, it could become industrial waste, burdening the environment. We turned this problem into an opportunity, which led to the creation of 'regen Spandex'. Hyosung TNC was the first company to launch a 100% pre-consumer recycled spandex made with the reclaimed waste from our manufacturing process. regen Spandex offers the same performance as our conventional CREORA® spandex. By recycling previously discarded resources and reducing environmental impact, regen Spandex plays a pivotal role in the production of products with certified sustainable benefits.
The Choice for Sustainability: The Unique Value of regen Spandex
1. No.1 for Global Capacity
Due to the nature of recycling waste from the spandex manufacturing process, the supply of pre-consumer material recycling is inherently limited. As a global leader in spandex production, Hyosung TNC currently produces regen Spandex at its largest facilities in China and Vietnam. Moreover, there are plans to expand the production of regen Spandex to other Hyosung TNC factories located in India, Turkey, and Brazil in the future.
2. regen Spandex : 66% Reduction in Carbon Emissions
regen Spandex has been subjected to third-party verification through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure its actual carbon reduction impact. The production of one ton of regen Spandex results in approximately 66% carbon reduction compared to conventional spandex. This reduction is equivalent to planting around 889 pine trees over a period of 30 years. (does this comparison seem inspiring enough? – agreed. We need to find a more inspiring example)
3. RCS Certification (Recycled Claim Standard)
The transparency and traceability of regen Spandex's raw materials, production, and sales structure are validated through third-party certification by the Textile Exchange's RCS Certification.
4. Elevated Innovation: Functional regen Spandex
Hyosung TNC is leading the way with the development of cutting-edge products such as our broad range of functional recycled spandex. Our offerings, such as regen Black (Black post-consumer recycled spandex) and regen Highclo (Chlorine-resistant recycled spandex), not only provide clear sustainable benefits compared to conventional products, but also provide exceptional performance, bringing forth a new dimension of capabilities. We are continuously involved in ongoing research to create additional diverse functional recycled spandex offerings, aiming to achieve innovation and sustainability hand in hand.
5. R-SCAN: Hyosung TNC’s Unique Traceability Certification
Hyosung TNC operates a proprietary recycling traceability program called R-Scan, ensuring even greater reliability and transparency in the use of regen Spandex. This program verifies whether regen Spandex has been incorporated within final fabrics and end-use garments by incorporating traceable materials into the yarn.