The EU-funded REFRESH project has shown that glass fibres recovered from decommissioned wind turbine blades can be reused in new blade components. The study involved CETMA (Italy), Gjenkraft AS (Norway), Cormatex (Italy) and ÉireComposites (Ireland), who processed thermally recycled fibres into a nonwoven mat and applied it in a non-structural section of a new blade.
The prototype section measured approximately 1.0 m by 1.5 m and allowed a direct comparison between laminates made from recycled and virgin glass fibre. Tests confirmed that mechanical properties of the recycled material were close to those of commercial virgin fibres.
REFRESH is now scaling up the recycling process and developing additional applications for recovered materials. CETMA is collaborating with Gees Recycling on secondary raw materials, with Tecnalia on the use of recycled glass fibre in 3D printed concrete, and with ETAT9 on repurposing cut blade parts into new products. Life cycle assessment and costing are conducted by RINA Consulting, and a blockchain platform enables tracking of materials through the value chain.
Image courtsey Cormatex
