Genesis uses volcanic rock and recycled newspapers in the GV80 SUV

Genesis, the luxury arm of Korean automaker Hyundai, has made it abundantly clear that its design prowess is a major focus. From the signature rotating spherical selector lever in the GV60 to the ambient lighting across the range, Genesis vehicles stand out in a crowded market. Adorned with an updated logo similar to that of super-luxury brand Bentley, the 2025 Genesis GV80 appeals to those with high-end tastes and a price tag that’s more palatable to the masses.

With the launch of the 2025 Genesis GV80 SUV, the brand is taking its interior game to a new level with sustainable materials. The GV80’s comfortable cabin is finished in a unique material that conveys Genesis’ intentions, including the use of fibers made from basalt, a volcanic rock, and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic from things like single-use water bottles. Another interior option is what the automaker calls “Newspaper Wood,” which consists of pressed, recycled newspapers topped with thin pieces of real wood.

Here you can read more about Genesis’ unusually produced materials and how they are made.

Molten rocks and plastics

Basalt is an igneous rock that forms as fiery volcanic lava. Geologists call basalt an extrusive rock, meaning it comes from magma that bubbled up from beneath the Earth’s surface. Genesis Senior CMF (Color, Materials and Finishes) Designer Grace Kim says the decision to use basalt fabric as a decorative garnish was primarily driven by a desire to replace the commonly used carbon fabric and use something more inspired by nature.

“When we discovered fabric made by melting and weaving basalt rock into a pattern similar to carbon fiber, we were immediately drawn to its similarity and functionality,” says Kim. “It is 100 percent basalt rock yarn, melted at very high temperatures and wound into thread.”

However, she explains that because basalt dust is mainly used for building materials, it had no aesthetic appeal. To address this, Genesis designers experimented with different patterns and incorporated recycled PET yarn into the weaving process to enhance the decorative aspect. Before being woven into the mixture, plastic bottles are washed, disinfected and ground into flakes, then melted and spun into yarn.

Dr. Peng-Cheng Ma, professor at Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains how basalt fibers are made in Research functions magazine.

“The not quite microscopic strands of basalt fibers are created by heating basalt, a common volcanic rock, to 1500°C and spinning the molten rock through a fine nozzle,” he says. “The resulting material is then usually woven into a heat-resistant fabric, or used to strengthen materials. When used to reinforce polymers, the resulting material is cheaper than carbon fiber and stronger than fiberglass.”

The resulting look is striking, and knowing that it is made from natural resources makes it more interesting. Genesis says it is considering expanding the application to other vehicle models.

Finding new ways to use newspapers

Newspapers may not be as prevalent as they were a decade ago due to the rise of online publications, but there is still plenty of newsprint floating around that can be recycled. Genesis put it to work in the GV80 as another interior trim option, and previously used it in the G90 flagship sedan.

The GV80 Newspaper Wood introduces several innovations that deviate from traditional wood finishes, showcasing high-quality design and minimizing environmental impact by recycling waste resources, Kim says. Newspapers are subjected to heat and pressure with layers of colored wood and can be cut at different angles to create varied design patterns.

“Departing from the conventional use of natural wood veneers common among luxury brands, we looked for ways to protect wood resources,” she explains. “By combining neutral-toned wood veneers with recycled newspapers, we achieved the elegant design reminiscent of natural wood. The faint yet visible text on the newspaper adds a unique element.”

On the exterior of the GV80, Genesis has named a series of colors after cities around the world: Alta White (the snowy peaks of Utah); Uyuni White (the salt flats of Bolivia); Savile Silver (London fashion line); Makalu Gray (a peak in the Himalayas); Capri Blue (the island off the coast of Italy) and Storr Green (Isle of Skye, Scotland). Vik Black took nearly 100 iterations before the design team was satisfied, Kim says, and it was named after a volcanic area in Iceland known for its basalt sand beach. Note that there is no red; that shade is reserved for the upcoming GV80 coupe, which will feature an electric supercharger.

The whole package is a continuation of Genesis’ ambition to differentiate itself from its competitors in the SUV segment. It’s no surprise that the GV80 accounts for almost half of the brand’s SUV sales, and that’s only going up.