Siemens Gamesa launches recyclable wind turbine blades - a 'milestone' in renewable energy

However, the company has not yet said which sizes the recyclable onshore blades will be available in or when, nor how many recyclable onshore blades it’s produced so far.

The recycled material can be used in construction, consumer goods

Before the launch of Siemens Gamesa’s RecyclableBlade in 2021, blade recyclability was a difficult problem for the wind industry to solve. The complex production process for blades, involving composite materials including resin, glass, and carbon fibers, made disposal at the end of the wind turbine’s lifecycle challenging. As per reports, only around 85 percent of a wind turbine could be fully recycled, and many blades were sent to the landfill upon decommissioning.

The RecyclableBlade recovery process uses a mild acidic solution to separate the materials at the end of the wind turbine’s lifetime. Those materials can then be recycled for use in other industrial applications like construction, consumer goods, or the automotive industry.

The company's announcement is another feather in its hat. Siemens Gamesa continues to actively work toward its Sustainability Vision, where a "core target" is fully recyclable wind turbines by 2040 at the latest.

"We are driving the wind industry towards full circularity with our commitment to make wind power as sustainable as it can be at every stage of its lifetime. Together with our customers and our suppliers, we want wind power solutions from Siemens Gamesa to continue to help countries around the world meet their net-zero carbon emission goals," said Tim Dawidowsky, Siemens Gamesa COO and Chief Sustainability Officer.

Calling for a Europe-wide ban on the landfill for blades

Siemens Gamesa is also working with industry body WindEurope and other major industry players in calling for a Europe-wide ban on blades ending up in the landfill.

The RecyclableBlade technology was developed in Aalborg, Denmark, the blades were manufactured in Hull, UK, and the nacelles were produced in and installed from Cuxhaven, Germany.

"RecyclableBlade technology will help reduce raw material extraction by creating the potential for secondary markets for the reclaimed material, with the job creation that this could provide as an additional benefit in local markets," said Marc Becker, CEO of the Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit.