Eight in ten runners say a brand's commitment to sustainability has some influence on their purchasing decisions, according to a runner survey conducted by U.S. running publication Runstyle in partnership with consumer research platform MESH01. Hyosung TNC, a global textile materials company, says it is helping brands respond to that demand by providing support from yarn development through product development.

Official Partner at Save Race 2026

Hyosung TNC participated as an official partner in Save Race 2026, a 10km charity run held on November 7 in Yeouido, Seoul, supplying official running apparel made with its recycled textile brand, regen™.

The event was co-organized by KakaoBank and the Korean Committee for UNICEF. regen™ featured across the official running kit, from shirts and windbreakers to bags and running belts. All participation fees at the charity run support children affected by the climate crisis, and organizers noted that wearing apparel made from discarded resources added another layer of meaning to participants' involvement.

At the event, Hyosung TNC operated a booth themed “Even Discarded Materials Can Run Again,” showcasing how discarded materials are transformed through production processes into recycled yarn and finished products. The booth also offered programs that allowed participants to take part directly in resource collection.

Runners on the Apparel

A participant in Save Race 2026 said, "After running 10km in a shirt made with recycled materials, I found it lightweight and comfortable to move in. This experience has made me want to pay closer attention to the materials used in my running apparel, including recycled yarns like regen™, when making future purchases."

A preference for recycled materials was also reflected in a survey conducted by Hyosung TNC at its on-site booth during the event, where 77.5% of respondents said they would choose running apparel made with recycled yarn if the price were the same.

Earlier Use at SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26

Running event organizers are increasingly choosing regen™, according to the company. SM Entertainment, a K-pop entertainment company, previously incorporated regen™ ASKIN, a functional recycled yarn, into the official race shirts for SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26.

What regen™ Is

regen™ is Hyosung TNC's recycled textile brand, made from discarded resources such as PET bottles, fishing nets and manufacturing byproducts. Its product portfolio includes recycled polyester, nylon and spandex yarns supplied to global sportswear and fashion brands.

As the developer and manufacturer of regen™, Hyosung TNC says it supports brand partners from yarn development through product development, helping them bring finished products made with regen™ to market more quickly. The company says the official race apparel demonstrates how functional performance and recycled materials can be incorporated into product development through a deep understanding of textile materials.

Building on its experience at running events, Hyosung TNC plans to further expand the applications of regen™ across sportswear, athleisure and other apparel and fashion products in collaboration with global sports and fashion brands and event organizers.

CEO Statement

“Runners were able to see for themselves, simply by wearing the apparel, that even discarded materials can run again,” said Chang Hwang Lee, CEO of Hyosung TNC. "Since great running apparel starts with the yarn, we aim to be the closest partner to brands throughout the journey from yarn development to finished products, helping them move forward with recycled materials."

About the Company

Hyosung TNC describes itself as a sustainable textile solutions provider delivering continuous innovation to the global textile industry. It says it is one of the world's leading spandex manufacturers, offering a broad range of stretch textile solutions through its CREORA® and regen™ brands.

The company says it is also expanding the transition toward more sustainable materials through bio-based spandex using sugarcane-derived feedstock and an integrated bio-based value chain, and supplies high-performance nylon and polyester solutions designed to combine functionality with sustainability.