Woolmark and Hyosung TNC have collaborated on a new performance fabric combining Merino wool with regen™ BIO Spandex. Presented at Preview in Seoul 2026, the development brings together natural and functional fibres to address the demands of modern performance apparel.

The combination is designed to provide comfort, breathability, freedom of movement and shape retention. Merino wool contributes natural warmth, thermoregulation and odour resistance, while regen™ BIO Spandex provides stretch and recovery and uses raw materials derived from renewable resources.

Eight fabric qualities showcased in Seoul

At Hyosung's booth, the companies presented six apparel pieces incorporating eight different fabric qualities. The collection included 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.

Manufactured by Grubig, a Woolmark supply chain licensee, the fabrics contain up to 79% wool blended with regen™ BIO Spandex or Hyosung's recycled regen™ functional nylon and polyester fibres.

The development demonstrates how natural and synthetic performance fibres can be combined to meet different functional requirements in apparel applications.

Bryan Fry, Chief Executive Officer at Woolmark, commented:“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 fibres, 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,” says Bryan Fry, Chief Executive Officer at Woolmark.

Collaboration to expand into recovery wear

Beyond the fabrics presented in Seoul, the partnership establishes a framework for further joint product development and commercial opportunities involving natural and functional fibres.

The next phase will initially focus on recovery wear, combining wool yarns with Hyosung's expertise in performance fibres. Future collaboration may also include research and development across yarns, fabrics and finished products, supported by technical development and product performance validation.

Jae woo Lee, Vice President of Fabric/Dyeing PU at Hyosung TNC, explained: “This collaboration brings together complementary expertise in natural and performance fibres to explore new possibilities for recovery wear,” said Jae woo Lee, Vice President of Fabric/Dyeing PU, 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.”

Further information: Hyosung TNC