Exploring BIO Spandex

BDO is the technical name for butanediol, a chemical traditionally made from fossil fuels and a major ingredient in the manufacture of spandex. Through proven plant-based Geno™ BDO technology, which ferments sugars derived from sugarcane to replace the fossil raw materials such as coal, Hyosung can build upon the successful launch of its extensive range of certified regen™ BIO Spandex products already adopted by leading global activewear brands.

Hyosung’s partnership with Geno establishes the world’s first fully integrated manufacturing site for bio-based spandex from renewable raw material to fiber. The project will fast track the production of BIO BDO with an annual capacity of 50,000 tons in the second half of 2026 – with the aim of expanding capacity up to a total of 200,000 tons/year to meet expected industry demands of BIO-based spandex. 

Its technology enables greater supply chain resilience, performance, and sustainability impact for many of the world’s largest brands and suppliers. For more than two decades, Geno has been scaling technology to enable the production of sustainable materials derived from plant- or waste-based feedstocks instead of fossil fuels. It has commercialized sustainable alternatives to commonly used ingredients and materials across several industries to include beauty, apparel, automotive and homecare including lululemon, Unilever, Kao, and L’Oréal.

According to Yoo, there are no differences in the physical properties of regen™ BIO Spandex compared to spandex made with fossil fuels. Hyosung anticipates up to 80% reduction for its regen™ BIO Spandex products produced in its Vietnam plant by 2026. This number is based on industry data and internal metrics. After the product launch, the company will provide a comprehensive third-party LCA incorporating full data.