Huvis (CEO Kim, Suk Hyun, 079980), specializing in chemical and fiber materials, announced on the 12th that it has completed the development of the world’s first industrial “non-fluorinated water-repellent high-tenacity yarn” in response to global environmental regulations and demand for eco-friendly materials.

The high-tenacity yarn is a high-strength industrial fiber used in building exterior materials, outdoor billboards, tents, and other applications. Due to its exposure to various outdoor environments, it requires water-repellent processing to prevent the moisture absorption and contamination of the fabric. The product developed by Huvis does not use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which were widely used in traditional water-repellent processing methods, and is therefore called PFAS-free or non-fluorinated water-repellent yarn.

PFASs have been widely used in various industries due to their excellent water-repellent and heat-resistant properties; however, they are known as a “forever chemical” because they are virtually impossible to break down naturally and can accumulate in the human body. Accordingly, the European Union (EU) is strengthening its chemical control through the REACH Regulation,* planning to impose a complete ban on PFASs starting in 2026. Once the regulation comes into full effect, demand for eco-friendly materials to replace PFASs is expected to increase rapidly.

Huvis’ non-fluorinated water-repellent high-tenacity yarn is a product that has been developed to respond to these global regulatory trends. It contains no PFASs, yet offers excellent water repellency and durability, and is characterized by its ability to maintain its color and strength even after long-term exposure to outdoor environments. Huvis plans to conduct quality tests on the product and begin commercial sales within this year.

“The development of this non-fluorinated water-repellent high-tenacity yarn will serve as a stepping stone to preemptively capture the global market for eco-friendly industrial materials beyond Korea.” said Kim, Suk Hyun, CEO of Huvis. “We will continue to respond proactively to global regulations through the development of eco-friendly and differentiated materials, leading the market with our unrivaled technological competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, Huvis began commercial production of Ecoever LM, the world’s first chemically recycled LMF, last year and is expanding its product portfolio to meet global trends for eco-friendly industrial materials, including P-POL, a PET material for automobiles that replaces polypropylene(PP).

*REACH Regulation: A regulation that requires the registration, assessment, authorization, and restriction of chemicals manufactured or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year within the EU, which came into effect on June 1, 2007.


[Photo] Huvis’ world’s first industrial non-fluorinated water-repellent high-tenacity yarn