Innovative project introduces 100% recyclable wind turbine blade

Recycling wind turbines at the end of their lifecycle has long posed a significant challenge for the wind power industry, mainly due to the large volumes involved, the costs of recycling, and the nature of their composite materials, which are difficult to recycle using traditional methods Thanks to a groundbreaking initiative launched in September 2023, known as the ZEBRA (Zero wastE Blade ReseArch) project, a 100% recyclable wind turbine can now become a reality. 

A group of leading companies, including Arkema, along with Canoe, Engie, LM Wind Power, Owens Corning, and Suez, have collaborated to develop eco-friendly solutions for wind power, specifically the design and manufacture of a 100% recyclable blade made from thermoplastic resin. 

Thanks to its physical-mechanical properties combined with its complete recyclability, confirmed by a large number of test results, this resin developed by Arkema will enable the wind energy sector to take a major step forward, in particular by enabling to include this criterion in the tender specifications. Additionally, the resin’s chemical recyclability ensures that it can be used indefinitely while retaining the same properties as a virgin resin, aligning with the principles of the circular economy. 

Discover how this innovation can achieve 100% recyclable wind turbine blades: 

Arkema is also part of the consortium of MMATwo project, which developed a new value chain for PMMA waste and a new technology to process different types of PMMA waste, including the most challenging waste, into high quality regenerated monomer. PMMA is a well-established polymer known for its optical properties, such as high light transmission.