Hyosung Begins Commercial Bio-BDO Production In Vietnam
Hyosung TNC has begun commercial production of bio-based 1,4-butanediol (bio-BDO) in Vietnam, completing an integrated production network that connects sugarcane-derived raw materials to finished bio-based spandex.
The facility has an initial annual capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes. As part of a planned US$1 billion investment, the company intends to increase capacity in phases to 200,000 tonnes per year, depending on market demand.
The plant produces bio-BDO by fermenting sugars derived from sugarcane. The material is supplied to Hyosung’s Dong Nai operations, where it is converted into PTMG, a key intermediate used to manufacture regen™ BIO spandex.
Hyosung said bio-BDO is chemically identical to conventional BDO and enables the use of renewable feedstocks while maintaining the stretch, recovery and quality of the finished fibre. The company added that connecting the production stages across southern Vietnam is intended to improve supply reliability and production efficiency while reducing transportation requirements.
Hyun-Joon Cho, Chairman of Hyosung, described bio-based materials as a core pillar of the group’s long-term growth. Hyosung TNC commercialised corn-based regen™ BIO spandex in 2022.
The fibre is used in applications including sportswear, intimate apparel, swimwear and denim. According to the company, sugarcane sourcing and traceability are verified through the VIVE Sustainable Program, while bio-based content is certified under SGS’s Environmentally Evaluated Product Scheme.
Beyond textiles, Hyosung TNC plans to supply bio-based chemical intermediates for thermoplastic polyurethane used in automotive interiors and PBAT resin used in biodegradable plastics.
