Hyosung, a comprehensive fibre manufacturer based in South Korea, is well known for its spandex brand, creora. The company established the brand back in 1992 and is constantly developing new products to meet the needs of customers through R&D.
This year, the brand has showcased its new products at several exhibitions, including ISPO Munich and Interfilière Paris, has introduced new sustainable fibres, and spoken with the Indian prime minister about plans for expansion.
Earlier this year, Hyosung announced its plans to build the company’s first spandex plant in Maharashtra State in India.
The Indian market for spandex grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 16% between 2012 and 2017, and growth is expected to reach 12% by 2020, according to Hyosung.
Maharashtra is a key region for textile production in India. The plant will create jobs and boost the regional economy, as well as spur the development of businesses in the state such as weaving, knitting and sewing.
“India is one of the world’s largest textile markets and we expect remarkable growth in the Indian consumer market,” says Hyun Joon Cho, chairman, Hyosung, during a meeting with Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister.
“With the Indian government’s full support for our new plant, I sincerely hope that Hyosung and the Indian economy will grow together.”
An initial investment of US$100m will be used to expand Hyosung’s creora brand share of India’s spandex market to 70%, and the company aims to finish the factory by 2019.
Sustainability
In addition to its business expansion, this year Hyosung has been showcasing its sustainable fibre innovations.
Hyosung has a dedicated product development team focused on reducing energy and water usage and waste regarding fabric manufacturing. The company is also a holder of the Global Recycle Standard certificate and contributes to landfill waste reduction.
One of the company’s leading sustainable fibres is creora eco-soft. Creora eco-soft is a low heat set, energy-saving spandex. It can be used in woven as well as knit denim constructions and it is the ideal spandex to use in combination with other sustainable fibres such as organic cotton and Tencel Lyocell for softness and lighter weight fabrics.
“We offer creora eco-soft low heat set spandex for sustainability as less energy is required in finishing and it can be used for new styling options,” says Mike Simko, global marketing director.
At the Munich Fabric Start exhibition, Hyosung also launched its latest collection of creora Fit² fabrics with enhanced performance features for smart denim.
The line was developed to meet consumer demand for second-skin fit with 360° comfort. The technology capitalises on superior heat-setting performance of creora eco-soft low heat set spandex for 4-way stretch development with reduced shrinkage and better recovery.
“For 2019-2020, we see sustainability and performance as key trends in the denim market, along with new garment designs,” adds Simko. “Smart denim, with the addition of functional yarns for enhanced performance, is of interest for added value to the consumer.”
Lifestyle fabrics
The brand is also expanding in the European clothing market with functional and trendy premium textile products, demonstrated by its recent exhibit at Interfilière in Paris, France, this summer. Hyosung showcased both its lifestyle and sustainable fabrics for swimwear, lingerie and activewear.
A number of the brand’s products were on show, including a new range of creora Color+ dyeable elastane. This range has higher power for deeper, darker colours with better compression in new shapewear, bras and activewear pants.
Additionally, the new collection of creora eco-soft with dope-dyed modal for loungewear and yoga garments, and a new collection of creora Fresh for multifunctional base layer and shapewear were exhibited.
Speaking at the exhibition, Joon Cho, said: “Creora is truly a number one spandex brand. We plan to keep raising product quality and step up marketing to fulfil customer satisfaction in every aspect such as the latest trends and styles, eco-friendliness and sensibility, not to mention improving quality and functionality further. Spandex clothes are not our destination. We plan to take the lead in the markets of new clothing and textiles.”
Meanwhile, at this year’s ISPO Munich expo, Hyosung launched MIPAN regen aqua-X, a recycled cooling nylon. Used in combination with creora Color+, it’s particularly relevant for running, cycling and aerobics, and with creora highclo for swim and triathlon wear.
“As consumers seek multi-functional, comfortable apparel to support their active lifestyles, we continue to partner with global brand and retailers to provide customised innovative fibres, fabrics and garments,” says Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, EMEA marketing director, Textiles Performance Group.
“In addition, with sustainability and increased speed to market a minimum expectation, Hyosung helps customers integrate textile trends and fibre innovation through our new fabric development centre to create prototype fabrics and garments.”
