Woolmark and Hyosung have developed eight Merino-blend fabric qualities using regen™ BIO Spandex and translated them into six apparel pieces. For performance apparel buyers, the news is a useful signal about stretch wool, but it is not yet a ready-made sourcing specification. The next step is to request swatches, full compositions, test results and commercial terms for the particular fabric you want to use.
Quick answer: what was announced?
In an October 2026 update, The Woolmark Company said the eight developments contain up to 79% Merino wool alongside Hyosung’s regen™ BIO Spandex. Woolmark described the intended combination as wool’s warmth, temperature regulation and odour resistance with the stretch, recovery and shape retention of spandex. It did not publish individual fabric constructions, prices, minimum orders or delivery dates. “Up to 79%” is a maximum within the group, not the composition of every fabric.
What performance apparel buyers should check
| Announcement | What it tells you | What to request before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Eight fabric qualities | Several material routes were developed. | A swatch and technical sheet for each shortlisted quality. |
| Up to 79% Merino wool | At least one quality can have a high wool share. | Exact fibre percentages for the chosen quality and finished garment. |
| regen™ BIO Spandex | Stretch fibre partly made from renewable resources. | Applicable bio-based content, chain-of-custody documents and claim wording. |
| Six apparel pieces | The fabrics have been demonstrated in garments. | Construction details, wash performance, available sizes and production status. |
Hyosung describes regen™ BIO Spandex as partly made from renewable resources. That does not make the whole garment bio-based or biodegradable. Request documentation for the exact yarn and fabric before using a sustainability claim on packaging or a product page.
Why Merino and elastane can work together
Merino is attractive for next-to-skin layers because comfort can change as a wearer moves between effort and rest. Woolmark’s published thermoregulation research discusses this stop-and-go use case. Adding elastane may help a close-fitting garment move and recover, but the outcome depends on the fabric construction, finishing and care process. A blend’s performance should be measured on a finished sample rather than inferred from its fibre names.
This matters most for base layers, training tops and travel-ready pieces that need both next-to-skin comfort and shape retention. It does not mean the same fabric is right for every sport. A high-output running top, a winter mid-layer and an everyday performance polo have different needs for weight, drying behaviour and stretch.
A practical testing plan for a new collection
Start with the end use
Write a short brief: activity level, climate, fit, target weight, stretch direction, logo method and care expectations. For a fitted base layer, ask about stretch and recovery after repeated laundering. For a polo, examine collar stability, surface appearance and comfort under daily wear. For a jacket liner, check abrasion and layering behaviour.
Compare a finished sample with your current fabric
Test against the fabric you already buy. Review hand feel, opacity, pilling, shrinkage, colourfastness and shape after wash. If moisture management is central to your claim, agree on a test method and acceptance threshold before sampling. Ask for the laboratory report, not only a marketing summary.
Confirm the commercial route
Ask who supplies the yarn and finished fabric, which qualities are available for bulk orders, minimum order quantity, sample cost, colour development options and lead time. The announcement establishes a development partnership; it does not confirm that all eight fabrics can be ordered immediately in every market.
Merino blend or established synthetic performance fabric?
The answer depends on the brief. A Merino-elastane concept may suit a premium line where fibre story, next-to-skin feel and recovery justify development and testing. For a price-sensitive teamwear program or a tight event deadline, an established performance fabric may be easier to specify and replenish. Compare GOWDL’s custom polyester T-shirt options with its ready-stock quick-dry polo as practical alternatives. These products are polyester-based; they are not the Woolmark–Hyosung Merino fabrics.
FAQ
Are all eight fabrics 79% Merino wool?
No. Woolmark said up to 79%. The precise composition of each quality was not published in the announcement.
Does “BIO Spandex” mean the garment is plastic-free?
No. It remains a spandex fibre. Hyosung says the product is partly made from renewable resources; the bio-based proportion and any environmental claim should be checked for the exact material supplied.
Can a buyer put the Woolmark logo on a garment made from these fabrics?
Not automatically. Woolmark branding requires the relevant licence and product testing. Confirm eligibility and approval through Woolmark’s certification programme before making a label claim.
Developing a performance apparel range? Send GOWDL your use case, target fabric properties, quantity and delivery window. We can discuss a custom development brief or an available performance style, then confirm material sourcing and sample feasibility before you place an order.
