Collaboration with the European Chemical Industry Council and the European Composites Industry Association

WindEurope is teaming up with two other European industry bodies to advance novel approaches to the recycling of wind turbine blades.

The cross-sector platform has been set up with the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and the European Composites Industry Association (EUCIA).

WindEurope said that in the next five years 12,000 wind turbines are expected to be decommissioned, therefore “broadening the range of recycling options is critical for the industry’s development”.

Learnings from wind turbine recycling will then be transferred to other markets to enhance the overall sustainability of composites, the partners said.

WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “Wind energy is an increasingly important part of Europe’s energy mix.

“The first generation of wind turbines are now starting to come to the end of their operational life and be replaced by modern turbines.

“Recycling the old blades is a top priority for us, and teaming up with the chemical and compositors industries will enable us to do it the most effective way.”

Cefic director general Marco Mensink said: “The chemical industry plays a decisive role in the transition to a circular economy by investing in the research and development of new materials, which make wind turbine blades more reliable, affordable and recyclable.

“Innovation is born from collaboration and we look forward to working together to advance wind turbine blade recycling.”

EUCIA president Roberto Frassine said: “The wind energy sector has always been at the forefront of using composites as they are instrumental to sustainable energy generation.

“With this collaboration we hope to set a great industry standard that ultimately will also help customers in other industries like marine and building and infrastructure.”