A tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a support structure and a tread band arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the support structure. The support structure comprises at least one reinforcing layer including a plurality of hybrid reinforcing cords (10) each having a metallic wire (21) twisted together with a multifilament textile yarn (22) comprising a plurality of filaments (23). In any cross section of each of said hybrid reinforcing cords (10), the metallic wire (21) is at least partially embedded in the filaments (23) of the multifilament textile yarn (22).

An apparatus for forming a rope matrix having seaweed propagules embedded therein is provided and may include an intertwining assembly configured to intertwine at least three ropes at a braiding point to form a rope matrix. Further, the apparatus may include a conveying device configured to introduce seaweed propagules adjacent to the braiding point and to enable embedding of the seaweed propagules within the rope matrix while the rope matrix is being formed. Further, the apparatus may comprises an offtake assembly configured to move the rope matrix, with the seaweed propagules embedded therein, out of the apparatus.

A tyre for vehicle wheels comprises a support structure and a tread band arranged in a radially outer position with respect to the support structure. The support structure comprises at least one reinforcing layer including a plurality of hybrid reinforcing cords (10) each having a metallic wire (21) twisted together with a multifilament textile yarn (22) comprising a plurality of filaments (23). In any cross section of each of said hybrid reinforcing cords (10), the metallic wire (21) is at least partially embedded in the filaments (23) of the multifilament textile yarn (22).