Bringing the Value of Recycled Materials to the Influence of K-pop
Hyosung TNC supplied its recycled performance yarn regen™ ASKIN for the official race shirts at SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26, hosted by SM Entertainment.
- SM Entertainment artists and fellow participants wore shirts made with recycled yarn during the event.
- regen™ ASKIN’s cooling, quick-drying and UV protection features supported race-day performance.
- At the on-site booth, visitors learned how PET bottles can become yarn, and shared the technologies they want in future performance wear.
SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyosung TNC, a leading textile materials company, joined SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26 as main sponsor, held on Oct. 3 at Wangsan Marina in Incheon. The company applied regen™ ASKIN, its recycled functional polyester yarn, to the event’s official race shirt.
Hyosung TNC’s on-site experience booth at SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26, held on October 3, 2026, in Incheon, South Korea.
As demand for recycled materials continues to grow across fashion and sports, the event offered an opportunity to showcase their practical use in performance apparel. Artists from SM Entertainment and other participants wore the official race shirts during the run, putting the recycled material to use in a real-world running environment.
Recycled Material, Without Compromising Performance
regen™ ASKIN combines recycled content with performance features designed for running. Cooling and moisture management with quick-drying properties help keep runners comfortable during physical activity, while UV protection and enhanced opacity add everyday practicality. Participants and artists from SM Entertainment wore the same official shirt on the course, putting Hyosung TNC’s technology to work in a real running environment.
Engaging Directly with Consumers
Hyosung TNC operated an on-site experience booth that welcomed many visitors. The booth introduced how PET bottles can be turned into yarn, and invited visitors to share their running experiences and the functions they would like to see in future performance apparel. The company plans to use this feedback as a reference in developing future functional materials.
Ahead of the event, Hyosung TNC also held a field-testing session with Stone of 262WAVE, a well-known figure in Korea’s running community, and Hyosung TNC employees who run regularly. Stone and the employee runners returned on race day to take part in the event course together.
“We believe that creating opportunities for people to experience recycled materials firsthand is key to encouraging their wider use. SMTOWN RUN CLUB 26 provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate the performance of our recycled yarn in a real-world setting. We will continue engaging with consumers to better understand their needs and reflect their feedback in our future material development.”
— Chang Hwang Lee, CEO, Hyosung TNC
About Hyosung TNC
Hyosung TNC is a sustainable textile solutions provider delivering continuous innovation to the global textile industry. As one of the world’s leading spandex manufacturers, the company offers a broad range of stretch textile solutions through its CREORA® and regen™ brands, backed by differentiated technology and quality.
Hyosung TNC is also expanding the transition toward more sustainable materials through bio-based spandex using sugarcane-derived feedstock and an integrated bio-based value chain. In addition, the company supplies high-performance nylon and polyester solutions designed to combine functionality with sustainability.
Working with global customers and partners, Hyosung TNC continues to develop innovative material solutions for the evolving needs of the textile and fashion industries.
