On the 18th, Huvis (CEO Kim, Suk Hyun, 079980), specializing in chemical and fiber materials, had its “Non-Fluorinated Water-Repellent High-Strength Yarn” selected as a Next-Generation World-Class Product at the “2025 World-Class Product Certification Award Ceremony” hosted by MOTIE (the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) and organized by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency). This brings Huvis’ total number of World-Class Products to 16, comprising eight World-Class Products and eight Next-Generation World-Class Products.

World Class Products are selected annually by MOTIE and KOTRA with the goal of making businesses competitive and revitalizing exports by discovering and fostering products that can compete in the global market. The selection is made in two segments: i) Current World-Class Products holding a global market share within the top 5 or exceeding 5%; and ii) Next-Generation World-Class Products with high potential to grow into World-Class Products within the next 7 years.

The Huvis’ product selected as a Next-Generation World-Class Product is the world’s first industrial non-fluorinated water-repellent high-tenacity yarn. High-tenacity yarn is a strong industrial fiber used in products that are exposed to the outdoors for long periods of time, such as outdoor billboards, building exterior materials, and tents. Water-repellent processing is essential in these products to prevent contamination and moisture. However, water-repellent products treated with perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) have been criticized as “forever chemicals” because they are virtually impossible to break down naturally and can accumulate in the human body.

This non-fluorinated, high-strength, water-repellent yarn achieves outstanding water repellency, strong durability, and excellent color retention without using PFAS. Notably, the European Union (EU) has announced a complete ban on PFAS use starting in 2026, which is expected to lead to a surge in demand for PFAS-free, eco-friendly materials.

“Selecting this non-fluorinated, high-strength, water-repellent yarn as a next-generation, world-class product recognizes Huvis’ technological prowess and eco-friendliness in the global materials market, where environmental regulations are intensifying,” says Park, Sung-yoon, head of the Huvis R&D Center. “Moving forward, Huvis will contribute to elevating the status of K-materials in the global market through technological innovation and enhanced R&D capabilities.”

Huvis has maintained a portfolio of multiple World-Class Products since its first selection in 2001, including LMF adhesive fibers for automotive applications, PPS fiber “Zeta One,” Short Cut Fiber “Minimax,” and cooling PE fiber “Duralon.” (End)


[Photo] Kim, Jin-wook, head of the industrial materials team at Huvis, poses for a commemorative photo at the 2025 world-class product certification award ceremony.