Did you know lyocell fibre is being used in tyres? Heard a...

Did you know lyocell fibre is being used in tyres?

Heard a mention in a Youtube video with the Pirelli DIABLO ROSSO IV motorcycle tyre using it (3 Motorcycle Tires to Transform Handling - Best of 2022, FortNine - from 2:06).

Turns out Kumho Tire have been using proprietary Lyocell fibre as a replacement for cellulose-based rayon since 2007 in certain more environmentally friendly product lines.

Hyosung Advanced Materials have the Korean patent titled "Lyocell tire cord and method for manufacturing the same"

"In a statement, Kumho said, " it has developed new products which incorporate a new environmentally friendly material known as Lyocell for the first time. Used in the production of tyre cord for ultra-high performance (UHP) products, Lyocell can minimise environmentally hazardous materials produced during the manufacturing process. The first tyres incorporating the new material are to be released in Europe early in 2007."
- https://www.european-rubber-journal...oneers-use-of-rayon-replacement-fibre-lyocell

"Other Reinforcing Materials (Lyocell tire cord, Chafer, etc.)
We have developed the world's first environment-friendly Lyocell tire cord which can replace the rayon tire cord used in high-performance tires, and we also produce chafer, a flexible fabric that binds the bead wires of tires. Both products have excellent form stability."
- http://www.hyosungadvancedmaterials.com/en/business/tire_rein_forcement.do

"DIABLO ROSSO IV - Rear tyres from 190/55 ZR 17 above
PIRELLI engineers developed a racing-like structure, derived from World Superbike Championship expertise: DIABLO ROSSO™ IV features a 3-wire strand Lyocell structure which translates in a deformation ratio considerably lower than usual for street tyres. The net result of this is superb traction during full-throttle acceleration, regardless of the lean angle."
- https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/motorcycle/catalogue/product/diablo-rosso-iv

"The rear sizes 190/55 ZR 17 and above, equipment to superbike and hypernaked motorcycles that can exceed 200 horsepower, feature a three-stranded Lyocell structure, which is characterized by a significantly lower deformation ratio compared to structures normally used in road tires. The innovative Lyocell carcass is a technology developed thanks to the experience gained by Pirelli in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. The result is a new structure that can offer greater resistance to the stress generated in corner entry and during harsh acceleration."
- https://blog.motorcycle.com/2021/02...ils-on-pirellis-new-tire-the-diablo-rosso-iv/