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 certified 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 targets, to include products made from renewable resources such as bio-based and bio-degradable materials.
The Pioneer of Post-Consumer Recycled Nylon: regen Nylon, Embarking on a Sustainable Future
Back in 2007, Hyosung TNC recognized the significance of sustainability and took preemptive action, pioneering the development of the world's first post-consumer recycled nylon made from discarded fishing nets collected from the ocean. This innovative initiative marked the first step towards our sustainable future – our journey towards developing 100% recycled fibers.
regen Ocean Nylon: GRS-Certified Post-Consumer Recycled Nylon Made from Discarded Fishing Nets
Every year, about 640,000 tons of discarded fishing nets are left in the oceans, threatening around 100,000 marine creatures*. (*site source at end of regen ocean nylon section) These abandoned nets, left adrift for extended periods, become contaminated with various impurities making recycling challenging. However, with Hyosung TNC’s technological expertise, a chemical recycling method has been applied to revert the discarded nets back to their raw material, enabling them to be reprocessed into nylon once again. As a result of this innovative technology, regen Ocean Nylon maintains the same performance as conventional CREORA Nylon while contributing to the preservation of the ocean environment by recycling discarded fishing nets.
regen Nylon: Transforming ‘waste’ into ‘nylon’.
regen Nylon is a GRS-Certified, 100% pre-consumer recycled product made by recycling waste unavoidably generated during the production process. It ensures exceptional product quality and high functionality through Hyosung TNC's world-class nylon manufacturing technology.
Sustainable Solutions: regen Nylon’s Unique Value
1. Reduction in resource consumption and carbon emissions
regen Ocean Nylon and regen Nylon have been subjected to third-party verification through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure actual carbon reduction impact. The production of one ton of regen Ocean Nylon results in approximately 73% carbon reduction and roughly 76% decrease in the use of fossil oils compared to production of conventional Nylon. Producing one ton of regen Nylon leads to approximately 93% carbon reduction and about 95% decrease in the use of fossil oils compared to the production of conventional nylon.
2. GRS Certification (Global Recycled Standard)
The transparency and traceability of regen Nylon's raw materials, production, and sales structure are validated through third-party certification by the Textile Exchange's GRS Certification.
3. Elevated Innovation: Functional regen Nylon
Hyosung TNC is leading the way in introducing cutting-edge products through development of a wide range of functional 100% recycled Nylon. Our offerings, such as regen Ocean Robic, regen Robic (high-tenacity recycled nylon) and regen Aqua-X (cool touch recycled nylon), promote sustainability and provide exceptional performance - ushering in a new realm of capabilities. We are continuously involved in ongoing research to create additional diverse functional recycled nylon offerings, aiming to achieve innovation and sustainability hand in hand.
4. 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 Nylon. This program verifies whether regen Nylon has been incorporated within final fabrics and end-use garments by including traceable materials into the yarn.