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• Environmental sustainability assessment of a recyclable wind turbine blade: Preliminary results

  A. Gamarra, P. ATANCE, Y. LECHÓN, R. CARNICERO, I. CRUZ, M. López-Manchado, R. Verdejo, J. Costa, J. FARJAS, D. TRIAS.

  Materiales Compuestos (2025). Vol. 09 - Comunicaciones MatComp25 (2025), (Núm. 2 - Reciclaje y Sostenibilidad), 51

  
  

  Abstract

  Recycling wind turbine blades is a key element in ensuring the sustainability of the energy transition. Conventional wind turbine blades made of epoxy-based composite plastics cannot be recycled and are mostly disposed of in landfills. This paper presents the environmental sustainability assessment of a blade manufactured with a new recyclable liquid thermoplastic resin. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology was applied to calculate the environmental footprint, including 16 impact categories, enabling a comparison between the environmental impact of a conventional blade and one based on the new recyclable resin. The results from the resin production stage showed that the innovative resin had a higher environmental impact than epoxy. For example, in the climate change category, the emissions were 7.89 kg CO₂ eq./kg compared to 3.99 kg CO₂ eq./kg. However, it is necessary to evaluate the full life cycle of the blade, including use phase, recycling process, resin recovery, and the manufacturing of new blades. The results of the full life cycle assessment of a blade manufactured with the recovered innovative material will be presented. The life cycle approach is essential for assessing novel material applications to support the sustainable deployment of renewable energy technologies, including circularity criteria.

  Abstract
  Recycling wind turbine blades is a key element in ensuring the sustainability of the energy transition. Conventional wind turbine blades made of epoxy-based composite plastics [...]

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