Function and fashion are teaming up to create uniqueness and added value.

Function and fashion are working more closely than ever before to create uniqueness and added value. However, at the foundation of today’s cutting edge developments lies fiber – the core ingredient that is quietly driving big changes in the apparel industry.

And behind much of the research and development is Hyosung, a Korean company with a history of pioneering a wide range of fiber innovations. What makes Hyosung unique is our ability to co-develop fibers. Through this we can achieve fibers that work better together in terms of processing, aesthetics or even value,” said Ria Stern, Global Marketing Director.

“We can work throughout the entire textile value chain so we can work with brands and retailers on new concept developments and also work the idea through with their suppliers to commercialize new innovations.” Fiber manufacturing, including Mipan fine nylon and creora brand spandex plus specialty polyester, nylon and spandex products, accounts for about 17 percent of Hyosung’s annual US$12 billion in revenue, making it a key part of their overall corporate business.

This has fueled extensive fiber research at the company’s Seoul headquarters and at their new Textile Development Center at their plant in Jiaxing, China.

We have seamless, hosiery, covering, knitting and weaving equipment and can readily develop new prototype fabrics,” said Ms. Stern. These fabrics are integrated into Hyosung’s workshop services in Hong Kong and China.

 

Solution Driven Innovation

Innovation is important, but it is that innovation which solves problems or drives demand that is meaningful to the apparel industry. Hyosung has tackled these challenges and developed winning products such as “creora Color+” dyeable spandex that works with their fine denier Mipan nylon to eliminate ‘grin through’ issues in fabrics.
Another innovation is creora Power Fit, a spandex product that was developed to work better with the polyester that is popular in many sportswear applications, especially those that feature compression.

We engineered our creora Power Fit product to work better with polyester as it can be dyed and finished at higher temperatures to provide enhanced color and wash fastness,” explained Ms. Stern.

One of our most recent developments, creora easy scour, came from a problem that one of our customers was having in eliminating knitting oils and dyeing/finishing high quality, fine gauge fabrics. We developed a new proprietary finish that is easier to remove, with less water and/or chemical usage and results in an improved fabric,” she added.

 

Not Just Smart, Fast Too!

As more companies adopt the fast fashion model suppliers are under more pressure to deliver orders with shorter lead times. Hyosung is able to support its customers’ need for increased speed to market by having manufacturing plants for creora spandex in all major sourcing locations including China, Vietnam, Korea, Brazil, and Turkey, as well as warehouse facilities in other locations.

 

Better Information, Better Decisions

Comprehensive and accurate market intelligence is critical for an innovative and responsive company like Hyosung. Inside Fashion plays a key role in providing market insights and analysis, said Ms. Stern.

Inside Fashion provides important business insights on global brands, economic outlook and retail sales. I particularly like the Next Big Thing section, as well as all the visuals and trends.

It’s an outstanding global resource that helps Hyosung, and specifically helps me, to do my job better,” she said.

 

It All Comes Down To Excellence

Our secret to success really comes down to our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our products and services. This is enhanced by our multi-fiber position and our willingness to work with our customers in whatever way they want to work,” said Ms. Stern.

This strategy has also proven to be a success for Hyosung’s customers.

We’ve been able to help a major brand develop offerings and source new fabrics for a new category. We’ve also been able to help a direct customer grow by introducing them to new target brands/retailers,” she added.