“We create biodegradable fabrics that decay 60% in 180 days and over 80% in 2 years when buried.”
This is the key message emphasized by Seo Young-hoon, the CEO of Oneighty. Oneighty is a startup that manufactures biodegradable eco-friendly fabrics. Seo, who worked in the fabric division of Hyosung, founded the company in 2021. He said, “I determined that we could develop highly biodegradable eco-friendly fabrics and apply them in various fashion and industrial sectors.”
After about three years of research and development, Oneighty developed its biodegradable fabric last year. Seo said, “We not only incorporated biodegradable eco-friendly accelerators into the fabric manufacturing process but also researched the process of burying the fabric and decaying it for a long time of one year while developing the product.”
Oneighty's biodegradable eco-friendly fabric decays in 180 days when buried, and over 80% decays in 2 years. Recently, the company delivered products to the Jeju region. Seo said, “Jeju is a region where it's difficult to transport waste out due to its characteristics, so biodegradable fabric is essential, and our business direction aligns well.”
Currently, the clothing and fashion markets are transitioning to eco-friendly materials in response to climate change. However, there is a focus on creating a brand image of ‘our company is an environmentally conscious corporation’ rather than actual changes. Seo said, “It is time for fashion corporations to move beyond marketing and become truly eco-friendly corporations that consider the future of humanity,” adding, “We will lead this trend.”
Currently, clothing fabric manufacturing has shifted to Southeast Asian countries. However, since about three years ago, the manufacturing of biodegradable eco-friendly fabrics has started in the United States, and Europe and China are also keeping pace. Seo emphasized, “Korea needs to rapidly adapt to these market changes.”
Seo plans to strengthen domestic operations while also expanding into the U.S. and European markets. At the same time, there is a goal to develop and produce functional biodegradable fabrics for sports, aimed at creating fabrics that are cool in summer and warm in winter.
Seo said, “Research and development on warm biodegradable fabrics for winter is nearing completion.” Oneighty has secured an investment of 300 million won based on its growth potential.
Meanwhile, Seo has pilot experience as well. After leaving Hyosung, he entered an academy in the U.S. to become a pilot, a childhood dream, and obtained a pilot's license in a year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and there were no places to work.
Seo remarked, “Looking at the clothing and fashion industry from a distance, I was able to find opportunities (biodegradable eco-friendly fabrics) within that industry.”