Since the Industrial Revolution, the global market has long relied on a linear economy system, which involves extracting resources, mass-producing goods, and consuming them. However, this rapid growth has left severe issues, such as resource depletion and environmental pollution. In response, industries are looking to circular economy models that conserve resources, encourage reuse, and minimize waste. The textile industry, which drove exports and development during the 1950s and 1960s, is also advancing toward a sustainable future through low-carbon manufacturing technologies, recycled materials, and bio-based material innovations.

The Bright and Dark Sides of a Rapidly Growing Textile Industry

The textile industry has inevitably caused resource waste and environmental costs by consuming water, soil, and other resources. Chemicals used in yarns and finished products have led to pollution, and waste is generated at both the production and disposal stages. A significant amount of energy is also consumed to source materials and deliver products. According to Greenpeace and the World Federation of Horticulture (WFO), approximately 800 trillion liters of water are used annually in clothing manufacturing, and over 92 million tons of waste are generated during production processes.

▲ Source: Greenpeace and WFO (July 2022)

The fashion industry is also not exempt from issues related to plastics and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), a U.S.-based nonprofit environmental research organization, approximately 1.025 billion tons of carbon dioxide (as of 2019) were emitted during the processes of raw material extraction, yarn processing, and finished product manufacturing. About 70% of the carbon emissions from the fashion textile industry occur during synthetic fiber production, with polyester being a significant contributor. It takes up to 200 years for synthetic fiber clothing to fully decompose.

▲ Source: WRI (2019 Estimate)

The supply and consumption of clothing in line with trends, known as ‘Fast Fashion’, have pushed the fashion industry’s carbon emissions to account for 6–10% of global emissions (as of 2022). Including related industries like marketing and logistics, the impact grows even further. Additionally, fast fashion relies heavily on inexpensive polyester fibers to maintain cost competitiveness. Polyester sheds microplastics during washing or when incinerated/landfilled, leading to water pollution. Annual petroleum usage for polyester fiber production alone amounts to 70 million barrels.

In response, France passed the world’s first ‘Fast Fashion Restriction Law,’ set to take effect in March 2024. Similarly, numerous countries are introducing regulations. The European Union (EU), in preparation for the 2026 implementation of its Carbon Border Tax, has also taken steps to curb deforestation linked to textile production. Furthermore, the EU is advancing policies that hold producers accountable for waste collection and require transparent disclosure of what materials are used, by whom, and where and how products are made.

The Fashion Industry's New Pursuit of Sustainability

The global and domestic industrial sectors are increasingly recognizing the urgency of environmental issues and are exploring sustainable growth strategies. There is a growing trend of expanding the production of environmentally friendly and recycled materials that minimize environmental impact while fulfilling social and ethical responsibilities. These textiles are also being adopted by other industries, such as the automotive sector, for interior and exterior components.

▲ Source: Fortune Business Insights

The global sustainable textile market, valued at USD 48.9 billion in 2021 (4.9% of the total textile market), is projected to grow at an annual average rate of 8.5%, reaching USD 101.9 billion (7.2%) by 2030. According to the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), the textile industry is transitioning from the first generation of production reform, the second generation of material innovation, and the third generation of supply and consumption expansion into the fourth generation circular economy. Efforts are underway to shift the entire process of fashion production—including raw material production, manufacturing, marketing, logistics, distribution, consumption, collection, and recycling—towards environmental sustainability for future generations.

One prominent example is the emergence of three types of sustainable textiles—recycled, biodegradable, and bio-based fibers—created through eco-friendly and low-carbon production technologies and equipment innovations. These fibers offer numerous environmental benefits.

▲ Source: Korea Bio-Economic Research Center (August 2022)

The Impact of Clothing on Soil and Water Resources

Producing a single cotton shirt requires about 2,700 liters of water—an amount that could sustain one person for 2.5 years. Cotton cultivation, a primary raw material, consumes significant amounts of agricultural water and accounts for 24% and 11% of global insecticide and pesticide use, each, leading to soil and water pollution.

Additionally, producing 1kg of cotton fabric requires up to 3kg of chemicals. In the textile manufacturing process alone, including dyeing and finishing, over 8,000 types of chemicals are used. Among them, approximately 750 are harmful to human health, and around 440 are detrimental to the environment. In the United States, cotton fields, which account for just 1% of agricultural land, consume nearly 10% of all agricultural chemicals used nationwide, including synthetic fertilizers and soil additives.

▲ Sustainable Textile Manufacturing Process

On the other hand, recycled fibers eliminate the need for producing new raw materials. By directly reusing existing resources, they reduce the energy required for raw material extraction and mining. Also, compared to petroleum-based synthetic fibers, recycled fibers are more environmentally friendly. Utilizing discarded PET bottles reduces waste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled. This helps prevent air and soil pollution, positively impacting the living environment of plants, animals, and humans.

Changes are also being observed in water resource management. The fashion industry has been researching ways to reduce water consumption, especially since a significant portion of water usage outside of fiber production comes from dyeing and finishing processes. Statistics indicate that approximately 100–150 liters of water are required to dye 1kg of fiber. To address this, HYOSUNG has developed products like ‘CREORA Black,’ which allows diverse fabric styles, such as stripes and tone-on-tone designs, without requiring a separate dyeing process, thereby contributing to water conservation.

regen

A leading global brand of sustainable textile materials from HYOSUNG. Hyosung TNC focuses on achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy through regen, encompassing everything from raw material development and production processes to finished products.

Microplastics present another water-related issue. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 35% of marine microplastics originate from clothing. Globally, about 100 billion garments are produced annually, with 33 billion discarded. Of these, approximately 60% are made from synthetic fibers. Microplastics released during their decomposition find their way into marine organisms and, ultimately, humans, the top predators in the food chain.

From Waste to Plant-Based Raw Materials: A Journey of Possibilities

Hyosung TNC is actively addressing these issues through the 3R methodology: Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce. The company’s initial focus was on discarded fishing nets. Each year, approximately 640,000 tons of waste fishing nets are dumped into the sea, endangering 100,000 marine animals. These nets also release microplastics as they degrade.

In response, HYOSUNG developed ‘regen Ocean Nylon’ in 2007, the world’s first recycled nylon made from collected domestic and international waste fishing nets. This sustainable yarn boasts high resource circulation value and, thanks to proprietary technology, rivals the quality of conventional CREORA Nylon. In 2023, it was used in domestic outdoor S/S collections, recycling about 36 tons of waste fishing nets through this collaboration alone.

Plastics, which take roughly 500 years to fully decompose, are another significant concern. HYOSUNG has transformed such waste into ‘regen Polyester,’ a fiber made entirely from recycled PET bottles. Despite being made from 100% recycled materials, this fiber retains high functionality and has earned the world's first GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification. Producing 1 ton of regen yarn utilizes approximately 866 500ml PET bottles.

Furthermore, with the use of renewable raw materials, ‘regen BIO Spandex’ achieves carbon reduction right from the raw material stage. As the only domestic company to succeed in producing the three major sustainable fibers, HYOSUNG is paving the way for next-generation textiles, even including biofibers at the forefront of sustainable technology.

Recently, HYOSUNG has also attempted “Garment recycle” to maximize resource circulation. This method extracts yarn from waste fabrics to create new textiles or clothing items. The advantage is that even clothing waste, which was previously incinerated or landfilled due to technical difficulties such as dye removal, seam and label separation, can now be recycled. Although it has high costs and development challenges, Hyosung TNC is leading true zero-waste fashion through collaborations with various brands, such as MONTSENU.

HYOSUNG has made sustainability a corporate goal since the early 2000s and has dedicated itself to developing recycled fibers. In 2008, it produced regen Polyester, and in 2020, it declared a “Green Management Vision 2030” across the company, intensifying its commitment to sustainability.

Experts warn that the fashion industry could account for 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In this regard, HYOSUNG’s efforts to find the future of fashion through innovative R&D and production and distribution systems, without compromising on environmental issues, are noteworthy.