Recycling Techniques

Wind turbine recycling techniques include mechanical grinding, pyrolysis, solvolysis, and cement co-processing. The recycled materials can be used to make new products, such as cement, textiles, and railroad ties.

Mechanical recycling

• Cutting and dismantling: Blades are cut and dismantled into raw fiberglass material
• Shredding: The raw fiberglass material is shredded into fine and coarse particulates
• Mixing: The particulates are mixed with other fillers, such as rock or plastic
• Forming: The mixture is formed into thermoplastic fiberglass pellets or panels

Thermal recycling

• Pyrolysis: The blade is heated to remove the resin and recover the fibersl
• Fluidized bed oxidation: The blade is treated in a fluidized bed to remove the resin and recover the fibers

Other recycling techniques

• Solvolysis: A chemical recycling technique for wind turbine blades
• Creative reuse: Wind turbine blades can be repurposed for creative uses, such as in playgrounds or pedestrian bridges

Recycling wind turbine blades can help reduce waste and conserve resources. Companies are also developing new blade technologies that are more recyclable.