Woolmark and Hyosung TNC combine Merino wool and regen™ BIO Spandex in their latest performance fabric for performance apparel applications.
Showcased at Preview in Seoul 2026, the fabric innovation brings together complementary performance fibres. The latest combination responds to the multiple demands placed on performance apparel, to be at once comfortable and breathable with freedom of movement and shape retention. The Merino wool fibre provides natural warmth, thermoregulation and odour resistance, while regen™ BIO Spandex provides stretch and recovery while using raw materials made from renewable resources.
Six apparel pieces incorporating eight fabric qualities were showcased at Hyosung's booth including:
- Two short sleeve crew-neck tops
- Short sleeve zip-neck top
- Long sleeve crew neck top
- Hooded top
- Long sleeve quarter-zip top
Manufactured by Grubig, a Woolmark supply chain licensee, the fabrics contain up to 79% wool blended with regen™ BIO spandex or Hyosung recycled regen™ functional nylon and polyester.
“Working alongside Hyosung provides an opportunity to rethink how performance textiles are created. By combining the performance advantages of Merino wool and Hyosung’s portfolio of performance fibres, manufacturers can explore performance apparel that balances next-to-skin comfort and breathability with the stretch and shape retention that the category requires.This opens potential for natural fiber blends in the performance wear category and, in the future, the recovery wear category ,” says Bryan Fry, Chief Executive Officer at Woolmark.
The collaboration creates a framework for companies exploring joint product development and commercial opportunities with natural and functional fibres. As a next step, the collaboration will initially focus on recovery wear combining wool yarns and Hyosung's expertise in performance fibres, future collaboration may include research and development across yarns, fabrics and finished products, supported by technical development and product performance validation.
“This collaboration brings together complementary expertise in natural and performance fibres to explore new possibilities for recovery wear,” said Jae woo Lee, Vice President of Fabric/Dyeing PU, Hyosung TNC. “By working across yarn, fabric and garment development—and validating performance at each stage—we aim to turn promising material concepts into practical, commercially viable product solutions.”
To learn more about Hyosung’s portfolio of performance fibers, visit https://hyosungtextile.com/en
About Hyosung TNC
Hyosung TNC is a complete sustainable textile solutions provider that produces world-class products, providing continuous innovation to the textile industry. Hyosung is a leading manufacturer of spandex/elastane by market share supplying the broadest range of stretch fibre offerings supported by exceptional technology and quality under its CREORA® and regen™ brands. The company is advancing lower-impact materials with sugarcane-derived BIO Elastane, pairing trusted performance and resilient supply with an integrated bio-based value chain.
Hyosung’s specialty nylon and polyester provide functional and sustainable fibre solutions that are essential to today’s dynamic textile market. Hyosung is a proud Textile Exchange Partner-level Member. Visit our website, and our blog at blog.hyosungtnc.com for all the latest trend, event, and product updates. Hyosung TNC can also be found on Instagram @hyosung_textiles and on LinkedIn at Hyosung Performance Textiles.
About the Woolmark Company
Woolmark stands as the global authority on wool. Through extensive industry relationships, it promotes wool as the ultimate natural fibre and premier ingredient in premium textile products. The Woolmark Logo is one of the most recognised and respected brands, representing quality and pioneering excellence from farm to finished product.
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