REWIND project to recycle and repurpose wind turbines
A new European project – REWIND research project – is set up to enhance circularity of end-of-life wind turbine blades in wind energy systems.
The REWIND project aims to enhance circularity of end-of-life wind turbines.
On a global scale, an estimated 2.5 million tons of composite materials are currently in use in wind turbines. By 2030, approximately 350 kilo tons of end-of-life wind turbine blades are expected to be decommissioned in Europe.
The 4-year REWIND project aims to develop critical technologies for dismantling wind turbine blades and implement new methods for composites repurposing and recycling for the construction and automotive industries.
Recycling the most degraded parts will separate the matrix from the fiber. The recycled fibers, after subsequent sizing, spinning, and weaving, along with new recycled resin from the solvolysis process monomer, will be used in the same wind sector. They will be used for manufacturing a wind blade part and a repair kit as demonstrators.
The research project is coordinated by AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre. AIMPLAS also leads thermal and chemical recycling tasks.
Catalyst pyrolysis and solvolysis methods will be developed to reduce processing temperatures and times. AIMPLAS is also in charge of repolymerization of recovered monomers from the organic fraction of solvolysis to obtain new recycled resins (epoxy, polyester and vitrimer resins).
It is funded by the European Union and includes 14 partners from Spain, France, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Greece.
