High Value-added New Materials: Hyosung's Representative in the Textile Industry

2023.08.01

Over the past half-century, Hyosung has consistently embraced evolution and innovation to meet the demands of the times and solidify its intrinsic value. Through its unique and pioneering technologies, Hyosung has emerged as an industry leader, driven by a relentless pursuit of growth opportunities through ongoing research and development. Hyosung’s relentless efforts have resulted in numerous achievements, especially in aramid, polyketone, carbon fiber, and eco-friendly fiber regen. Due to these groundbreaking achievements, Hyosung has become a world leader in high-value-added new materials. Today, Hyosung proudly presents its fiber technology, a promising driving force for Hyosung's future growth.

 

Regen: Eco-friendly Fiber for the Eco-friendly Era

To address the climate crisis and promote sustainability, Hyosung develops and manufactures eco-friendly fibers. As environmental concern rises, fashion brands increasingly embrace sustainability while reducing petroleum usage, minimizing landfill waste, and facilitating resource circulation. Even before the recent uptick in environmental awareness, Hyosung was at the forefront of eco-friendly fiber innovation. Currently, Hyosung operates the eco-friendly fiber brand, "regen," which offers 100% recycled fibers. As a leading provider of synthetic fibers with and unwavering focus on sustainability, Hyosung excels at producing spandex, nylon, and polyester- the three major synthetic fibers.

Hyosung's regen brand encompasses diverse recycled fiber products, including regen Nylon, which upcycles nylon waste generated during production, and regen Ocean Nylon, crafted from discarded fishing nets recovered from the ocean. Additionally, Hyosung introduces eco-friendly functional yarns, such as regen Askin, regen Cotna, regen Robic, and regen Aerolight, seamlessly merging eco-friendliness with functionality. These exceptional fibers find applications across sportswear, outdoor wear, and functional clothing, dispelling any notion that eco-friendly materials compromise performance.

In addition to recycling fibers, Hyosung concentrates on eco-friendly raw materials. regen Bio-Based, an innovative fiber product from Hyosung, uses bio-based materials to achieve significant carbon reduction effects, surpassing conventional environmentally friendly standards. The world's first regen Bio-Based, made from natural materials extracted from corn rather than traditional coal, has been pioneered by Hyosung. As a result of this groundbreaking approach, coal, and petroleum-based raw materials are reduced, while renewable resources are promoted.

 

                                               

Unlocking New Possibilities with Eco-Friendly Fiber regen

Hyosung's eco-friendly are widely used in high-performance outdoor apparel, uniforms, functional workwear, IT products, and electronics that require multiple high-strength and high-performance fibers. Among recent noteworthy developments are dust-proof suits made from regen, a fiber derived from PET bottles collected from various locations, including local governments near Hwaseong and Suwon, including Samsung Electronics' semiconductor businesses.

These regen-based dust-proof suits are worn at Samsung Electronics semiconductor sites, offering dust-proof capabilities and environmental sustainability.  By using eco-friendly fibers like regen Askin (coolness), regen Robic (durability), regen Aerosilver (antibacterial properties), regen Xanadu (stretchability), and regen Aerocool (rapid absorbency and drying), these suits meet a wide range of environmental requirements. In producing dust-proof suits for Samsung Electronics' semiconductor facilities, a pivotal moment to challenge the misconception regarding eco-friendly fibers and their compatibility with high-quality, functional apparel. Despite preconceived notions, this venture illustrates the expanded potential of eco-friendly functional fibers.

Hyosung creates dust-proof suits with enhanced functionality using PET bottles collected from Samsung Electronics' semiconductor facilities and surrounding areas. Hyosung has already successfully incorporated regen into corporate uniforms for Hyundai Heavy Industries, POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, CGV, and Lotteria. Building upon this success, the introduction of regen dust-proof suits catalyzes the broader application of eco-friendly functional apparel beyond uniforms.

 


 

Carbon Fiber: Stronger Than Steel, the Dream Material

Hyosung has successfully developed high-performance carbon fiber, widely acknowledged as the "next growth engine" and the "dream material," establishing it as a key driver for future growth. With a carbon content exceeding 92%, carbon fiber is four times lighter than steel, possessing ten times the strength and seven times the elasticity. Its exceptional attributes, including outstanding corrosion resistance, conductivity, and heat resistance, position it as an ideal lightweight substitute for steel. Hyosung embarked on carbon fiber development in 2008, achieving a groundbreaking milestone in 2011 by becoming the third company globally and the first in Korea to independently develop carbon fiber, following Japan and the United States.

This success led to the introduction of the esteemed high-performance carbon fiber brand, TANSOME®, solidifying Hyosung's reputation for technological prowess. Furthermore, Hyosung expanded its carbon fiber facility in 2020 and accomplished the development of ultra-high-strength carbon fiber in 2022. While conventional carbon fiber has already surpassed steel in strength by tenfold, the ultra-high-strength carbon fiber surpasses steel by over 14 times, positioning it as a remarkable variant. The independent development of carbon fiber and the breakthrough in ultra-high-strength carbon fiber have garnered significant attention due to their wide-ranging applicability across industries and their pivotal role in advancing lightweighting initiatives.

 

The Infinite Possibilities of Carbon Fiber: A Versatile Material

Carbon fiber, known as a dream material, is lighter than steel yet boasts high strength and exceptional properties, making it applicable across various industries. It is hailed as a revolutionary material capable of driving lightweight and propelling industrial advancements. We will examine its role in different industries, resulting in weight reduction and encouraging industrial advancement.

Carbon fiber plays a important role in weight reduction in the automotive industry, particularly with the rise of electric and hydrogen vehicles as eco-friendly alternatives. Carbon fiber’s remarkable properties enable vehicles to shed unnecessary weight without compromising structural integrity. Carbon fiber is particularly useful in high-pressure CNG tanks for CNG buses, hydrogen storage containers for hydrogen electric vehicles, and storage solutions for hydrogen refueling stations. Adding carbon fiber to these components increases their strength while reducing their weight, enhancing fuel efficiency, and significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

The remarkable applications of carbon fiber also extend to the aerospace industry, including satellite launches. Hyosung has unlocked tremendous potential for aerospace advancements in developing ultra-high-strength carbon fiber. In addition to aircraft fuselages and components, this cutting-edge material also finds use in space projectiles manufactured by Boeing, a leader in the aerospace industry. The ultra-high-strength carbon fiber is a crucial and indispensable material for propelling the space industry forward, offering unprecedented strength, elasticity, and a significantly lighter weight compared to conventional materials like aluminum. During the recent rocket launch for the Nuri satellite, the carbon composite payload fairing safeguarded the satellite.

Carbon fiber has become an essential material in several industrial sectors, including wind power development, transportation vehicles with high-pressure vessels, high-voltage wires with wire cores, and civil engineering and architectural reinforcement with carbon fiber sheets. Its versatility plays a vital role in boosting the potential for future industrial growth. Carbon fiber is crucial in enhancing the potential for future industrial development across industries like aviation, transportation, and construction. Carbon fiber may seem distant from our daily lives, but it is already integrated into products we commonly encounter. Carbon fiber is present in sports and leisure goods like snowboards, golf clubs, fishing rods, bicycles, and surfboards. This enables us to experience its technological advancements without even realizing it.

 


 

Over its half a century of existence, Hyosung has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to research and development, delivering exceptional and groundbreaking technologies. As a result of this relentless pursuit, Hyosung has earned the distinction of being the first Korean company to develop carbon fiber. Founded in the chemical fiber industry, Hyosung continues to develop innovative high-value-added materials and fibers. Our success is not a coincidence but the result of Hyosung's unwavering commitment to crafting environmentally friendly functional fibers to shape a sustainable future. Hyosung has laid the foundation for future industries by independently pioneering the development of carbon fiber, cementing its commitment to creating a better tomorrow through continuous technological advancement. As Hyosung's research and development endeavors continue, we eagerly await the unveiling of new materials and innovations that will transform the way we live in the future.