South Korean conglomerate Hyosung, has partnered with carbon-negative materials company Origin Materials, in order to industrialize sustainable high-value specialty materials.

On the project, Hyosung Advanced Materials, a Hyosung industrial materials firm, will collaborate with Origin Materials.

In order to obtain sustainable carbon-negative materials from Origin Materials, including PET and a hybrid polymer PET/F (a blend of PET and FDCA) for use in spandex applications in the garment sector, among others, Hyosung Advanced Materials inked a multi-year capacity reservation agreement.

The collaboration will make use of Origin's unique technological platform, which has the ability to transform carbon from sustainable wood leftovers into valuable materials while also absorbing carbon.

The products are part of a larger sustainability initiative by Hyosung Advanced Materials to combat climate change with an emphasis on carbon neutrality and environmentally friendly business sectors. Hyosung Advanced Materials attained the position of Honors Club in carbon management at the ceremony awarding the CDP Climate Change Korea Award in 2020 and received an "A" rating from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) in honor of its efforts in combating climate change.

Origin Materials co-CEO, Rich Riley, said that partnering with Hyosung Advanced Materials is a critical milestone in their mission to transition the globe to sustainable materials. They are delighted to develop high-value products for use in a variety of end markets and applications, including batteries, automobiles, and clothes. The possibility for collaboration is astonishingly broad. Together, they can increase the use of Origin's technology and advance the global transition to sustainable materials that are currently underway.

Young Joon Lee, vice president at Hyosung, said that they’re thrilled to be a partner with Origin Materials to take this journey to Net Zero jointly through this unique technological research and commercialization initiative. Hyosung's business plan places sustainability at its core, and they are confident that their solid relationship will propel them both to the top of the renewable materials industry leadership ladder.