Hyosung TNC has begun commercial production of bio-based 1,4-butanediol (bio-BDO) in Vietnam, establishing an integrated supply chain connecting sugarcane-derived feedstocks with its regen BIO spandex manufacturing.
The facility has an initial annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes, with phased expansion planned to reach 200,000 tonnes depending on market demand. The project forms part of a planned US$1 billion investment.
Integrated Production From Sugarcane to Spandex
The facility produces bio-BDO by fermenting sugars derived from sugarcane, replacing the fossil-based feedstocks used in conventional BDO production.
The material is supplied to Hyosung’s operations in Dong Nai, southern Vietnam, where it is converted into polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMG), an intermediate used to manufacture elastane. The PTMG is subsequently processed into regen BIO spandex.
By connecting these stages within Vietnam, Hyosung aims to strengthen supply reliability, improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce transportation requirements.
According to the company, bio-BDO is chemically identical to its fossil-derived counterpart, allowing it to be incorporated into elastane production while maintaining the required stretch, recovery and quality characteristics.
The resulting fibre targets sportswear, intimate apparel, swimwear and denim applications.
Renewable Feedstocks and Material Verification
Hyosung says sugarcane sourcing and traceability are verified through the VIVE Sustainable Program, while bio-based content is certified under SGS’s Environmentally Evaluated Product Scheme.
These credentials address feedstock sourcing and renewable content. The use of bio-based raw materials should not, by itself, be interpreted as a claim that the finished elastane is biodegradable.
Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho described the integrated production system as a strategic platform for the group’s future growth. The investment follows the company’s commercialisation of corn-based regen BIO spandex in 2022 and its development of recycled fibres using PET bottles and discarded fishing nets.
Read more: Speedo Launches Ocean Flex Swimwear with Hyosung TNC Recycled Textile Innovation
Applications Beyond Textile Fibres
Hyosung also plans to supply bio-based chemical intermediates for thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), including applications in automotive interiors, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), a polymer used in biodegradable plastics.
The company is presenting its bio-based elastane developments at international industry events, including the Textile Exchange Conference and Performance Days. It also plans to participate in Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, on 27–28 October.
The Vietnam investment expands Hyosung’s manufacturing scope from finished stretch fibres into the renewable chemical intermediates used to produce them.
