Woolmark and Hyosung TNC have combined Merino wool and regen BIO spandex in a new performance fabric for performance apparel, shown at Preview in Seoul 2026. The fabric brings together two fiber types to meet the demands placed on performance apparel, which needs to be comfortable and breathable while allowing freedom of movement and retaining shape.
The Merino wool fiber provides natural warmth, thermoregulation and odor resistance, while regen BIO spandex provides stretch and recovery and uses raw materials made from renewable resources.
Six apparel pieces incorporating eight fabric qualities were displayed at Hyosung’s stand. These comprised two short sleeve crew-neck tops, a short sleeve zip-neck top, a long sleeve crew-neck top, a hooded top and a long sleeve quarter-zip top. The fabrics were manufactured by Grubig, a Woolmark supply chain licensee, and contain up to 79% wool blended with regen BIO spandex or Hyosung’s 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 fibers, 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,” said Bryan Fry, chief executive officer at Woolmark.
“This collaboration brings together complementary expertise in natural and performance fibers to explore new possibilities for recovery wear,” said Jae woo Lee, vice president of Fabric/Dyeing PU at 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.”
The collaboration creates a framework for companies exploring joint product development and commercial opportunities with natural and functional fibers. It will initially focus on recovery wear combining wool yarns with Hyosung’s expertise in performance fibers. Future collaboration may include research and development across yarns, fabrics and finished products, supported by technical development and product performance validation.
Hyosung TNC describes itself as a sustainable textile solutions provider. According to the company, it is a leading spandex/elastane manufacturer by market share, supplying a broad range of stretch fiber offerings under its Creora and regen brands. It is also advancing lower-impact materials with sugarcane-derived BIO elastane, supported by an integrated bio-based value chain. Its specialty nylon and polyester provide functional and sustainable fiber solutions for the textile market.
Woolmark describes itself as the global authority on wool. Through its industry relationships, it promotes wool as a natural fiber and an ingredient in premium textile products.
