Subtittle if needed. If not MONTH 2018 Published in Month 2018

Accelerating Blade Circularity May 2020

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity

Published May 2020

.org This report has been jointly prepared by WindEurope, Cefic and EuCIA through a collaborative cross- sector platform on wind turbine blade recycling. Notably, the report: • describes wind turbine blade structure and material composition; • highlights the expected volumes of composite waste, including wind turbine blade waste; • maps the existing regulations governing composite waste in Europe; • describes the existing recycling and recovery technologies for treating composite waste as well as innovative applications for using composite waste; and • provides recommendations for research and innovation to further enhance the circularity of wind turbine blades and design for recycling.

This report is intended for general information only and, whilst its contents are provided in utmost good faith and are based on the best information currently available, is to be relied upon at the user’s own risk. No representations or warranties are made with regards to its completeness or accuracy and no liability will be accepted by the authors.

We would like to thank members of WindEurope Sustainability WG for their dedicated review and input. In particular: , LM , TPI Composites, GE Renewable Energy, MHI , Vattenfall, Vestas, , EDF Renouvelables, Engie and Ørsted.

TEXT AND ANALYSIS: Marylise Schmid, WindEurope Nieves Gonzalez Ramon, Cefic Ann Dierckx, Cefic Thomas Wegman, EuCIA

EDITORS: Daniel Fraile, WindEurope Colin Walsh, WindEurope

DESIGN: Lin van de Velde, Drukvorm

PHOTO COVER: Damon Hong

MORE INFORMATION: [email protected] +32 2 213 18 11 CONTENTS REFERENCES 6.

5. 4. 3. 2. 1. INTRODUCTION

APPENDIX ADDITIONAL A. RESOURCES LEVEL RECYCLING TO NEXT THE TAKING BLADE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BLADE WASTE TREATMENTBLADE METHODS LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT MARKET OUTLOOKMARKET & INDUSTRY WIND THE COMPOSITES 5.3. CONCLUSION 5.2. 5.1. 4.3. EXISTING LEGISLATION 4.2. 4.1. INTRODUCTION 2.3. 3.2. 3.1. 2.2. 2.1. INTRODUCTION 1.3. CONTEXT 1.2. OBJECTIVES 1.1. COMPOSITE WASTECLASSIFICATION COMPOSITE WASTE: A CROSS-SECTOR CHALLENGE RECYCLING AND RECOVERY TREATMENT METHODS THE WASTEHIERARCHY FUTURE TRENDS INBLADEMATERIALS AN AGEING ONSHORE WIND FLEET BLADE STRUCTURE&MATERIAL COMPOSITION CROSS-SECTOR PLATFORM ...... 35 34 32 31 25 20 20 18 17 17 17 15 14 14 12 11 10 10 8 8 8 7 5 4 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

As the wind industry continues to grow to provide renew- Today around 85 to 90% of wind turbines’ total mass can able energy across the globe, we are committed to pro- be recycled [1], [2], [3]. Most components of a wind turbine moting a circular economy which reduces environmen- – the foundation, tower and components in the tal impacts throughout product lifecycles. To this end, – have established recycling practices. However, wind WindEurope (representing the wind energy industry), turbine blades are more challenging to recycle due to Cefic (representing the European Chemical Industry) and the composite materials used in their production. While EuCIA (representing the European Composites Industry) various technologies exist to recycle blades, and an in- have created a cross-sector platform to advance - ap creasing number of companies offer composite recycling proaches for the recycling of wind turbine blades, includ- services, these solutions are not yet widely available and ing technologies, processes, waste flow management, re- cost-competitive. integration in the value chain and logistics.

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 5 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Executive summary

Wind turbine blades are made up of composite materials rently working on a proposal for an international guide- that boost the performance of wind energy by allowing line for the dismantling and decommissioning of wind lighter and longer blades with optimised aerodynamic turbines. shape. Today 2.5 million tonnes of composite material are in use in the wind energy sector globally [1]. WindEurope Today, the main technology for recycling composite waste estimates around 14,000 blades could be decommis- is through cement co-processing. Cement co-processing sioned by 2023 [4], equivalent to between 40,000 and is commercially available for processing large volumes of 60,000 tons. Recycling these old blades is a top priority for waste (albeit not in all geographies yet). In this process the wind industry. This requires logistical and technologi- the mineral components are reused in the cement. How- cal solutions for disassembling, collection, transportation, ever, the glass fibre shape is not maintained during the waste management and reintegration in the value chain. process, which from a waste hierarchy perspective may be less preferred. WindEurope, Cefic and EuCIA strongly sup- Composite recycling is not solely a challenge for the wind port increasing and improving composite waste recycling industry but rather a cross-sector challenge. Blade waste through the development of alternative recycling tech- will represent only 10% of the total estimated thermoset nologies which produce higher value recyclates and ena- composite waste by 2025. The relatively low volumes of ble production of new composites. Further development composite blade waste make it challenging to build a re- and industrialisation of alternative thermal or chemical cycling business based only on this waste stream. Active recycling technologies may provide composite-using sec- engagement from all the composite-using sectors and tors, such as building & construction, transportation, -ma authorities will be required to develop cost-effective solu- rine and the wind industry, with additional solutions for tions and strong European value chains. end-of-life.

Existing European waste legislation emphasises the need Europe needs to invest on more research and innovation to develop a circular economy and increase recycling rates to diversify and scale up composite recycling technolo- to deal with unnecessary waste pollution and increase re- gies, to develop new, high-performance materials with source efficiency. At national level, , Austria, -Fin enhanced circularity, and to design methodologies to en- land and the Netherlands forbid composites from being hance circularity and recycling abilities of blades. At the landfilled. France is considering introducing a recycling same time existing treatment routes like cement co-pro- target for wind turbines in its regulatory framework due cessing must be deployed more widely to deal with the to be updated in 2020. Going forward there may be more current waste streams. Finally, the scientific understand- harmonisation of guidelines and legislation, which would ing of the environmental impacts associated with the be more efficient for the development of a pan-European choice of materials and with the different waste treatment market for recycling blade waste. The wind industry is cur- methods should also be improved (life cycle assessment).

6 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 CROSS-SECTOR PLATFORM

In 2019, WindEurope, Cefic (the European Chemical In- management, reintegration in the value chain and logis- dustry Council) and EuCIA (the European Composites tics. In particular, this cross-sector platform aims to- un Industry Association) created a cross-sector platform to derstand the potential of existing wind turbine blade recy- advance novel approaches to the recycling of wind tur- cling technologies and ensure recycling is factored in wind bine blades, including technologies, processes, waste flow turbine blade design. This report supports this effort.

“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 composites industries will enable us to do it the most effective way.”

- Giles Dickson, WindEurope CEO

“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.”

 - Marco Mensink, Cefic Director General

“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 & infrastructure.”

 - Roberto Frassine, EuCIA President

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 7 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Introduction

1.2 OBJECTIVES • provides recommendations for research and innovation to further enhance the circularity of wind The cross-sector platform conducted a series of -work turbine blades, including new materials and design shops in 2019 during which new examples of blade repur- for recycling. posing and recycling were presented. Since WindEurope’s 2017 publication on managing composite blade waste [5], This report supplies relevant and practical information on some Member States have also started to consider legisla- the subject and promotes the sustainable management of tion on decommissioning and on blade circularity. composite blade waste. Research on the subject is ongoing and with this comes the challenge of keeping up to date The objective of this report is to present the state-of- with the state-of-the-art. If you have further input please play in the recycling of composites used in wind turbine notify us at [email protected]. blades. The report is based on the findings of those recent workshops. Notably, the report: 1.3 CONTEXT • describes wind turbine blade structure and material composition; In 2019 wind energy supplied 15% of the EU’s electricity [6]. This number will continue to grow in the coming years • highlights the expected volumes of composite waste, (Figure 1). The EU’s binding target for increasing the re- including wind turbine blade waste; newable energy share to 32% by 2030, and its commit- ment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050, emphasises • maps the existing regulations governing composite wind power’s important role in the future energy mix. The waste in Europe; European Commission (EC), in their long-term decarbon- isation strategy to 2050, estimates that wind alone could • describes the existing recycling and recovery provide 50% of the EU’s electricity demand by 2050. And technologies for treating composite waste as well as importantly, this demand will be significantly higher than innovative applications for using composite waste; today’s level, as society increases the electrification of -en and ergy uses.

FIGURE 1 Gross annual installations in Europe

250 300

200 250

200 150 150 100 100 50 50 Gross installations (GW) 0 0 Cumulative capacity (GW) 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Offshore 1 1 30 16 32 2 36 2 2 34 Onshore 110 116 10 123 13 4 11 12 142 14 14 Cumulative 9

Source: WindEurope

8 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Introduction

In the future, a growing amount of wind turbines will start to be decommissioned, considering that: If countries enable the repowering of an increas- ing amount of old wind turbines, about 14,000 • The standard lifetime of a wind turbine is wind turbine blades could be decommissioned by approximately 20-25 years, with some wind turbines 2023 [4], equivalent to between 40,000 and 60,000 now reaching up to 35 years through lifetime tons. extension;

• There are increasing repowering opportunities i.e. The wind industry is committed to promoting a more cir- replacing old models with newer and more efficient cular economy and determining ways in which it can sup- models, that can increase electricity port this. A sustainable process for dealing with wind tur- output by a factor of 2. bines at the end of their service life is needed to maximise the environmental benefits of wind power from a life cycle Many of the wind turbines installed in the 1990s are of approach (Figure 2). To do so, the wind industry is actively a few hundred kW and are under 60m in hub height. If looking for industries and sectors that can make use of replaced by taller and more powerful turbines, the in- the materials and equipment decommissioned from wind crease in energy yields could be considerable. Indeed, the farms. And the wind industry wants to work with them to analysis of more than 100 repowering projects in Europe build capacities in wind turbine blade circularity, including has shown that, on average, the number of turbines de- through the development of new, more easily recyclable creases by a third whilst wind farm capacity more than structural design and materials. doubles [7].

FIGURE 2 The life cycle of a wind turbine

End of Life strategies Raw material extraction Decommissioning & waste treatment EOL

Repowering or life time extension (optional)

Manufacturing

Operation & Maintenance

Transportation & Installation

Source: WindEurope

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 9 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 2. COMPOSITES & THE WIND INDUSTRY

2.1 INTRODUCTION tions can be recycled into aggregate for building materials or road construction. In other countries, foundations may Today around 85 to 90% of a wind turbine’s total mass be (partly or fully) left in-situ where removal would lead can be recycled [1], [2], [3]. Most components of a wind tur- to higher environmental impacts or if the land owner has bine such as the foundation, tower and components in specified so. the nacelle have established recycling practices. And the raw materials of these components have enough value Wind turbine blades are more challenging to recycle, for secondary markets. For example, the steel in towers largely due to the composite materials used in their pro- is 100% recyclable [8]. It can be reused again without any duction. While various technologies exist that can be used loss of quality. Steel scrap is regarded as a valuable raw to recycle blades (see Section 5), these solutions are yet material for steel production. Because of its value, there is to be widely available and cost-competitive. This section a well-established market for steel scrap. describes turbine blade structure and material composi- tion highlighting recyclability properties. It also looks at Treatment of foundations during decommissioning differs future trends in blade design and material composition from country to country. In some countries, foundations aimed at improving blade circularity. need to be removed. The concrete from removed founda-

10 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Composites & the wind industry

2.2 BLADE STRUCTURE & a key barrier to further deployment in the wind pow- MATERIAL COMPOSITION er industry. Hybrids with a combination of glass and carbon fibre also exist. Wind turbine blades are made of composite material, consisting of various materials with different properties, 2. A polymer matrix e.g. thermosets such as epox- which boost the performance of wind energy by allow- ies, polyesters, vinyl esters, polyurethane, or ing lighter and longer blades with optimised aerodynamic thermoplastics. shape. Today 2.5 million tonnes of composite material are in use in the wind energy sector globally [1]. Although ma- 3. A sandwich core e.g. balsa wood or foams such as terial compositions vary between blade types and blade polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate manufacturers, blades are generally composed of the fol- (PET); lowing (Figure 3): 4. Structural adhesives e.g. epoxies, polyurethane (PUR) 1. Reinforcement fibres e.g. glass and carbon. Glass fi- bre represents the primary reinforcement material in 5. Coatings e.g. polyester (UPR), polyurethane (PUR); the composite components of wind turbine blades. Carbon fibre is also used in wind turbine blades (in 6. Metals e.g. copper or aluminium wiring (lightning the spar), but to a lesser degree. Carbon fibre’s supe- protection system), steel bolts. rior strength and higher stiffness offers many advan- tages over glass fibre but its higher cost per volume is

FIGURE 3 Generic cross-section of rotor blade

Spar Caps/Girders: Unidirectional (UD) Glass/Carbonfibre, supported by Epoxy, Polyester, Polyutherane or Vinylester matrix Shear Webs and Shell Panels: Multiaxial GFRP Sandwich laminates using Balsa/PVC/PET as core material and Epoxy, Polyester, Polyutherane or Vinylester as matrix systems Leading/Trailing Edge and Webs Bonding: Epoy/Polyutherane based structural adhesive Lightning Protetion Cable: Aluminium or Copper Surface Coating: Polyutherane based lacquer LEP (Leading Edge Protection): Polyutherane based lacquer/tape

Source: TPI Composites

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 11 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Composites & the wind industry

The combination of fibres and polymers, also known as 2.3 FUTURE TRENDS IN composites, represents the majority of the blade material BLADE MATERIALS composition (60-70% reinforcing fibres and 30-40% poly- mer matrix by weight). In many respects, composites are Table 1 presents future trends in blade materials aimed advantageous because they: at addressing current challenges. Blade material chal- lenges include stiffness optimisation, fatigue life, damage • Combine properties of high tensile strength at prediction methods and the production of light weight relative low density (high strength-to-weight ratio) to blade structures. Material selection is determined by withstand the mechanical load requirements and to price, process abilities, material integrity, geographical lo- optimally perform aerodynamically; cations with more hostile environmental conditions and the demand for longer wind turbine blades. Design and • Provide resistance to fatigue, corrosion, electrical and material selection processes is rapidly evolving in order thermal conductivity important for the long-expected to also consider the overall sustainability of the materials lifetime (20 to 30 years); chosen (life cycle assessment) including their impacts on recyclability and alignment with future recycling methods • Provide flexibility in design and manufacturing, [9], whilst meeting the cost and performance criteria at the allowing to optimise the aerodynamic shape of the same time. blade, resulting in high turbine efficiency; and Besides improving efficiencies in waste collection and • Enable high yields resulting in lower levelised cost of combining waste volumes, the high investment costs and energy. energy requirements seem to be a common limitation to a greater implementation and scale-up of novel composite At present, wind turbine blades are made of composites recycling technologies (see Section 5). Multiple projects based on thermoset polymers. These polymers become are ongoing to improve energy efficiency by reducing the cross-linked in an irreversible process. The cross-linking is process time required for the same amount of materials a key requirement for obtaining the desired performance and by increasing the material output of the processes. in terms of fatigue resistance and mechanical strength. This would translate into lower costs and allow a more ac- ceptable energy use whilst not offsetting the benefits of Thermoplastics, unlike thermosets, do not undergo the recycling materials. However, in order to make recycling crosslinking. Thermoplastics are therefore more easily technologies more efficient and sustainable, the devel- recycled in simple shapes and components as they can opment of these technologies needs to be coupled with be melted. They have the potential for easier recycling, material development [10]. though the structural design complexity of the blades makes it difficult. Furthermore, the mechanical- prop Material innovations should strive to have positive effects erties, durability and processability of thermoplastics in on the production, maintenance, lifetime and environ- comparable price ranges currently limit their applications mental footprint of the blades. European technological in blades compared to thermosets. platforms indicate that materials research for blades is an important research area [1], [11] and see accounting for sus- tainability and recycling as a strategic issue [12].

12 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Composites & the wind industry

TABLE 1 Active areas in material research for wind turbines blade

AREAS OF MATERIAL RESEARCH EFFECT Processing Process modelling aimed to optimise and accurately control the Increased lifetime, higher conver- Design curing processes of the composites sion efficiency

Incorporating automatised manufacturing processes to ensure Increased lifetime, higher conver- consistent material qualities and more robust manufacturing sion efficiency techniques

Process Promoting cost- and energy-efficient manufacturing processes for carbon fibre reinforced composites, since the material provides Enable manufacturing of longer enhanced mechanical properties. As a side benefit it is also finan- blades, hence increasing conver- cially more attractive to recover carbon fibre compared to glass sion efficiency fibre.

Introducing innovative resin/fibre combinations with improved Increased lifetime ductility and fatigue resistance

New infusible thermoplastic resins which are processed by in- mould polymerisation (rather than melt processing) and have Cost reduction better mechanical properties

Introducing nano-components as strengthening agents in matrix and coatings, whilst respecting HSE requirements and ensuring it Increased lifetime does not lead to more complex recycling methods

Investigating fibre architectures – combining high performance Enable manufacturing of longer glass fibres, carbon fibres and nano-engineered fibres to make blades, hence increasing conver- hybrid reinforcements sion efficiency Materials Investigating durable coating materials to ensure improved ero- Increased lifetime, higher conver- sion-resistance e.g. gel-coats, paint systems and tapes, resealable sion efficiency and self-healing coatings

Continued availability of raw materials and security of supply Development of bio-resins for improved performance, taking after depletion of fossil-based advantage of higher availability of bio-waste raw materials; Reduced carbon footprint

Developing 3R-resins – a new family of enhanced thermoset res- Increased lifetime; Improved ins and composites with better re-processability, repairability and recyclability recyclability properties

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 13 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 3. MARKET OUTLOOK

3.1 AN AGEING ONSHORE WIND FLEET

Figure 4 provides a picture of the ageing onshore wind bines that are over 15 years old, these countries respec- fleet. , Germany, Spain and the Netherlands are tively have 2.74 GW (~57%), 17 GW (~33%), more than the most mature wind energy markets. In terms of tur- 5 GW (~33%) and 0.6 GW (~21%).

Repowering project El Cabrito, Tarifa, Spain. Completed in 2018. It was 25 years old when dismantled and resulted with 87% fewer turbines with the same output capacity. Source: .

14 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Market outlook

FIGURE 4 Age of the onshore wind fleet in Europe

60

50

40

30

Capacity (GW) 20

10

0 Denmark France Germany Italy Netherlands Spain UK

0-5 years 15-20 years 30-35 years 5-10 years 20-25 years N/A 10-15 years 25-30 years

Source: WindEurope

3.2 COMPOSITE WASTE: A CROSS-SECTOR CHALLENGE

WindEurope estimates around 2 GW of wind energy ca- Composite waste amounts from the wind industry are ex- pacity could be repowered and another 2 GW could be pected to continue to increase (Figure 5). However, the fully decommissioned by 2023 in Europe [4]. This means wind industry produces far less composite waste than about 4,700 turbines (or 14,000 blades equivalent to be- other industries. Based on EuCIA estimates wind will tween 40,000 and 60,000 tons) could be decommissioned contribute 66,000 tons of thermoset composite waste in and would need to be sustainably disposed of. Recycling 2025. This is only 10% of the total estimated thermoset these old blades is a top priority for the wind industry. This composite waste (and less than 5% of the total estimat- requires certain logistics and technology in place to pro- ed composite waste combining thermoset and thermo- ceed to disassembling, collection, transportation, waste plastics). Other composite-waste-producing sectors are management treatment and reintegration into the value building & construction, electrical & electronics, transpor- chain. tation, marine, production waste, aeronautics, consumer and tanks & pipes sectors.

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 15 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Market outlook

FIGURE 5 Composite waste generation – sector trends (ktons/year)

1,000

900

800

700

600

500 Kilotons 400

300

200

100

0 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

Wind Total

Key assumptions: 20 years average lifetime for wind composites. First year of commercial use of wind composites is assumed to start in 2000. The analysis is based on global production figures of composites as supplied by JEC and assumes global composites production is the same as global composites consumption (based on thermosets only). It further assumes that as Europe’s GDP (including Turkey) is 22%, the European consumption of composites is 22% of the global consumption of composites. The extrapo- lation of certain market segments is unsure and therefore the extrapolation of the total line does not exceed year 2025.

Source: EuCIA, 2020

Composite recycling is a cross-sector challenge and not solely a challenge for the wind industry. Actually, the (low) volumes of composite wind blade waste make it chal- lenging to build a recycling business based mainly on this waste stream. All the composite-using sectors must work together to find cost-effective solutions and value chains for the combined volume of composite waste. The wind industry has already teamed up with Cefic and EuCIA as mentioned above.

16 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 4. LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

4.1 INTRODUCTION 4.2 COMPOSITE WASTE CLASSIFICATION This section maps the existing regulation for composite waste in the EU. Today, there is limited legislation regu- According to the European classification of wastes, com- lating treatment of composite or blade waste both at EU posite blade waste is most often categorised as plastic and national levels. In addition, existing national legisla- waste from construction and demolition with the code tion is not necessarily aligned at international level. This is 17 02 03. The following other codes are also used at na- not surprising at the moment, as wind markets have de- tional level: veloped at different paces. Decommissioning practice is • 07 02 13 waste plastic from organic chemical only starting to emerge in those countries with a mature processes; market and increasing decommissioning and repowering • 10 11 03 waste glass-based fibrous materials from activity. Generally, authorities use different regulatory- in thermal processes; struments to incentivise recycling. These include legally • 10 11 12 waste glass other than those mentioned in binding targets, landfill bans and/or taxes and require- 10 11 11 from thermal processes; ments for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) (the • 10 11 99 wastes not otherwise specified from latter particularly in other sectors). Going forward, there thermal processes; and may be more harmonisation of guidelines and legislation. • 12 01 05 plastics shavings and turnings from shaping This would likely be more efficient for the development of and physical mechanical surface treatment of metals a pan-European market for recycling blade waste. Ideally, and plastics. there would also be alignment with other sectors of com- posite recycling. The wind industry is ready to contribute to National authorities need to ensure the correct and suit- that discussion. In particular, the wind industry is currently able code is applied to blade waste. This would ensure working on a proposal for international guidelines for the efficient separate collection and sorting and help identi- dismantling and decommissioning of wind turbines. fy suitably authorised waste treatment options. Having a

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 17 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Legislative

waste stream that can provide clean composite of a single type in large quantities increases the efficiency of the- cho Country focus - Germany: A ban on directly landfill- sen waste treatment option. However, as shown above, ing waste with a total organic content higher than composite waste is often classified as plastic waste. It may 5% came into force in 2009. Considering blades therefore become mixed with other types of plastics. Hav- contain an organic part (due to the resin that glues ing a differing waste classification may also limit the poten- together the glass fibres), they cannot be landfilled. tial for a pan-European market for recycled composites. In response to this regulatory constraint a tech- nical solution was developed for handling bigger amounts of glass fibre-reinforced polymers waste 4.3 EXISTING REGULATION called the “cement kiln route” or cement co-pro- cessing. A cement co-processing plant was estab- To date, few regulatory requirements are in place for the lished in northern Germany which uses around composite waste sector. Nevertheless, there is a clear 15,000 tons of composite waste annually, 10,000 push towards more circularity in general at the European tons of which comes from wind turbine blades. The level as shown by the new EU Circular Economy Action plant has a total current capacity of 30,000 tons/ Plan (2020) [13]. The ‘European Strategy for Plastics in a year. Cost is around 150 EUR/t (gate fee). Circular Economy’ (2018) [14] stresses that the low reuse and recycling rates (less than 30%) of end-of-life plastics is a key challenge to be addressed. It sets out the vision Country focus - The Netherlands: Under the 3rd edi- for ‘circular’ plastics with concrete actions at EU level. The tion of the National Waste Management Plan land- strategy also stresses that the private sector – together filling of composite waste is banned ‘in principle’. with national and regional authorities, cities and citizens However, wind farm operators can benefit from an – will need to mobilise to fulfil this vision. So far the focus “exemption” if the cost of alternative treatment is has been on single-use plastics, microplastics, oxo-plastics higher than 200 EUR/t. According to a survey con- and plastics packaging and not on composite waste. ducted by WindEurope, the cost of mechanically recycling wind turbine blades in the Netherlands At the national level, four countries make a clear reference ranges between 500-1,000 EUR/t including ons- to composite waste in their waste legislation: Germany, ite pre-cut, transport and processing. Mechanical Austria, the Netherlands and Finland. These countries for- recycling itself costs between 150-300 EUR/t. This bid composites from being landfilled or incinerated (see means landfilling is still practised. Country Case Studies below). France is considering intro- ducing a recycling target for wind turbines in its regulatory framework (due to be updated in 2020) [15]. Regardless of such legislation affecting composite waste, the wind industry seeks to avoid landfill for blade waste EXISTING REGULATORY INCENTIVES treatment as per the EU’s waste hierarchy (Figure 6). It is actively seeking recycling alternatives, along with other LANDFILL BANS AND TAXES composite users.

Landfill bans or taxes, if well designed and correctly imple- EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY mented, can act as a driver to change industrial practices. They can dissuade disposal and stimulate more circular Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy ap- solutions. proach that has been used in other sectors to drive change in industrial practices. Producers are given a significant -re When comparing the cost of recycling composite waste sponsibility – financial and/or physical – for the treatment with the levels of landfill taxes for wind turbine blade or disposal of post-consumer products. For example, EPR waste, the tax level in some countries is considered too low exists today for electronic and electrical equipment un- to trigger substantial changes towards more recycling. der the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Direc- tive (2012/19/EU). The photovoltaic (PV) sector has also Member States have used landfill bans and/or taxes to in- adopted a similar scheme since 2014. centivise avoidance of landfill for different types of waste.

18 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Legislative context

In the UK, the PV Cycle Distributor Take-back Scheme Country focus - In Germany, UBA, the Federal En- (DTS) has received full government accreditation, enabling vironment Agency, commissioned a study on wind UK Distributors (i.e. any organisation selling PV panels for turbine decommissioning and waste management. private households) to carry out their collection and recy- Results from the study formulate recommendations cling obligations with a comprehensive support system at for the set-up of an efficient dismantling system in reasonable cost. This means any distributor must have a Germany [3]. This assumes among others to poten- procedure in place to take back PV waste. Distributors can tially include specific elements of product responsi- choose to set up their own free take-back operation or bility for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) join the PV CYCLE Distributor Take-back Scheme. including:

In other industries, EPR is taken into account by use of • “Information and labelling obligations re- Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). These decla- garding the material composition of the rotor rations provide information on material composition and blades; life cycle assessment, and can also provide dismantling in- • Separate processing with the aim of quality as- structions and recycling options. For example, the use of surance of recyclates and substitute fuels; EPD is established in the building and construction sector. • Obligation for high quality recycling or guaran- There is a European Standard describing the ‘core rules’ tee of disposal safety; for these documents (UNE EN 15804:2012+A1:2014 Sus- • Inclusion of manufacturer’s knowledge and tainability of construction works – Environmental product processing technologies adapted to prod- declarations – Core rules for the product category of con- uct-related technological change; and struction products). • Cause-related allocation of disposal costs and organisational obligations during disposal”. In France and Germany EPR for the wind industry has been discussed (see country case studies below). In gen- eral, wind turbine blades are very large structures and However, the report also highlights the following therefore, unlike batteries, computers and PV panels, they challenges speaking against the introduction of a are unlikely to become mixed with local/municipal waste specific product responsibility for rotor blades: streams. This is already recognised in the WEEE Directive • “Many wind turbine manufacturers are active where wind turbines are excluded because they are con- across Europe. An isolated regulation in -Ger sidered ‘Large Scale Fixed Installations’. many is possible but is at odds with the funda- mental idea of EU internal market; Country focus - In France, the Ministry for a Just • Format and storage location (manufacturer, and Ecological Transition commissioned a study on operator, authority) as well as competition rel- wind turbine circularity. The report, published in evance of the data collected; October 2019, recommended introducing EPR for • Long service lives of rotor blades are an obsta- blades [16]. EPR responsibilities already exist in 14 cle to an individual product responsibility; and sectors including end-of-life vehicles, end-of-life • The discussion on disposal options for [glass ships, tyres and unused medical drugs. reinforced polymers/carbon reinforced poly- mers] also extends to other products made of The new law on circular economy adopted on 10 such materials and may have to be addressed February 2020 extended EPR responsibilities to new more specifically for materials flows than for products such as toys, cigarettes, textiles for health- products”. care and building materials. Wind turbine blades Currently, there is no initiative for legislation in -Ger were not included in this new list. It was deemed many related to this issue. UBA is commissioning that EPR for wind turbine blades would not be ef- another study on the “development of decommis- fective in increasing blade recycling. Instead, joint sioning and recycling standards for rotor blades”. efforts between authorities and the industry were The study will start in 2020 and run for 20 months. deemed more likely to be successful.

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 19 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 5. BLADE WASTE TREATMENT METHODS

5.1 THE WASTE FIGURE 6 The waste hierarchy for sustainable blade waste HIERARCHY management

The European Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) Most prefered option defines basic concepts related to waste management. It emphasises the need for increased recycling and high- Prevention lights the reduced availability of landfill. It also establishes the waste hierarchy shown in Figure 6. Reuse

Repurpose

Recycling

Recovery

Disposal

Source: ETIPWind

20 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

PREVENTION performed since commissioning of the blade. This might lead to repair actions and reinforcement of certain areas. The wind industry is committed to sustainable waste man- DNV-GL has developed a standard for lifetime extension agement in line with the waste hierarchy. The first step is of wind turbines (DNVGL-ST-0262). And the International prevention of blade waste through reduction and substi- Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is currently developing tution efforts in design. For example: a standard for the through-life management and life ex- • Mass reduction resulting in less material to recycle; tension of wind power assets (IEC TS 61400-28). Finally, • Decrease failure rate and extend design lifetime. several European and North American companies have Testing and certification plays a crucial role here. established businesses for selling refurbished turbines Blade failures seen in the field are not always and components. triggered in the testing phase as past standards are not up to date for large blades (> 50m). More REPURPOSING recent testing and certification standards like DNVGL-ST-0376 and the upcoming IEC 61400-5 open Repurposing is the next step in the waste hierarchy. This potential for better design; and means re-using an existing part of the blade for a different • Design for easy upgrade of existing blade to new application, usually of lower value than the original. For versions, e.g. segmented/modular blades. However, example: these are not standard design yet. • Reusing the blades for playgrounds or street furniture [17], [18], [19], [20]. REUSE • Specific structural parts of the blade can also be repurposed for building structures e.g. bicycle The blade should be used and reused for as long as pos- shelters [21], bridge in Nørresundby, Denmark (yet to sible before waste treatment is needed. Routine servicing be built) [22], walkways, architectonic reuse [23]. and repair is required to achieve a blade’s design lifetime. For lifetime extension, a ‘remaining useful lifetime- as However, to date the repurposing examples represent sessment’ (i.e. a fatigue load analysis using SCADA data demonstration projects that are unlikely to be a large- or types of data) must be conducted, in combination scale solution for future expected volumes. with site inspections and review of maintenance actions

FIGURE 7 Examples of blade repurposing

A conceptual design of pedestrian bridge using A29 wind blades as main girders, Re-Wind research project [24]

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 21 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

FIGURE 7 Examples of blade repurposing

Bike shed in Aalborg, Denmark

Source: Re-Wind and Port of Aalborg, Denmark

22 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

RECYCLING & RECOVERY ergy after removing all individual components that can be used again. Section 5.2 describes the existing recycling Where repurposing is not possible, recycling and recovery and recovery technologies for composite waste. There is are the next options. Recycling means the blade becomes an increasing number of companies that offer composites a new product or material with the same or different func- recycling services. For an indicative and non-exhaustive tional use. Recycling requires energy and other resources list of companies active in that area, you may contact in order to convert the blade waste into something else. WindEurope at [email protected]. Recovery means turning waste into a fuel or thermal en-

FIGURE 8 Examples of products based on recycled blade composites (demonstrator projects) a) FiberEUse – Large scale demonstration of new circular economy value chains based on the reuse of end-of-life fibre reinforced composites

Cowl tool support (automotive), Maier

Modern urban furniture, DesignAustria Bathroom furniture, Novellini

Source: FiberEUse (H2020-CIRC-01-2016-2017, GA nº 730323)

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 23 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

b) Mechanically recycled fibres from wind turbine blades added as short reinforcing fiber to concrete

Precast concrete LEGO type blocks Precast concrete manhole module

Precast concrete New Jersey barriers

Source: Courtesy of TECNALIA Research and Innovation

c) Noise insulation barriers

Source: Miljoskarm

DISPOSAL

Disposing blades via landfill or incineration without ener- gy recovery are the least favoured waste treatment meth- ods because there is no material or energy recovery.

24 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

5.2 RECYCLING AND shown by the technological readiness levels (TRL) pre- RECOVERY TREATMENT sented in the tables below for each existing treatment method [1], [25]. The processing methods also vary in their METHODS effects on the fibre quality (length, strength, stiffness Today, the main technology for recycling composite waste properties), thereby influencing how the recycled fibres is through cement co-processing, also known as the ce- can be applied. ment kiln route. Composite materials can also be recy- cled or recovered through mechanical grinding, thermal The wind industry is pushing for the development and (pyrolysis, fluidised bed), thermo-chemical (solvolysis), industrialisation of alternative technologies to provide all or electro-mechanical (high voltage pulse fragmentation) composite-using sectors with additional solutions for end- processes or combinations of these. These alternative of-life. As such, the wind industry is involved in a number technologies are available at different levels of maturity of research & development projects (Appendix A). and not all of them are available at industrial scale, as

CEMENT CO-PROCESSING (CEMENT bust and scalable route for treatment of composite waste. KILN ROUTE) It also has a simple supply chain. Wind turbine blades can be broken down close to the place of disassembly thus In cement co-processing the glass fibre is recycled as a facilitating transport to the processing facility. Although it component of cement mixes (cement clinker). The poly- is very promising in terms of cost-effectiveness and effica- mer matrix is burned as fuel for the process (also called cy, in this process the fibre shape of the glass disappears refuse-derived fuel), which reduces the carbon footprint and therefore cannot be used in other composites appli- of cement production. Cement co-processing offers a ro- cations[26] .

TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES POINTS OF ATTENTION • Highly efficient, fast and scalable • Pollutants and particulate • Large quantities can be matter emissions (although processed appropriate mitigation • Capability to reduce CO 2 • Loss of original fibre’s physical exists in compliance with 9 emissions of cement manu- shape the Industrial Emissions facturing by up to 16% Directive) • Slightly increasing energy • So far only suitable for efficiency of cement glass-reinforced composites manufacturing • No ash left over

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 25 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

MECHANICAL GRINDING er material is extremely limited in thermoset composite applications (less than 10%). For re-use of the fibres as Mechanical grinding is a commonly used technology reinforcement in thermoplastic applications, the variation due to its effectiveness, low cost and low energy require- in composition and potential contamination with resin ment. It does however drastically decrease the value of particulates has a negative impact on reinforced thermo- the recycled materials. The recycled products, short fibres plastic resin manufacturing speed and thermoplastic resin and ground matrix (powder), can be used respectively as quality. This could be minimised if the separating and dis- reinforcement or fillers. Because of the deterioration of mantling processes were upgraded and could be suitable the mechanical properties, the incorporation level of fill- in cases where no more value retention is possible[26] .

TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES POINTS OF ATTENTION • Not competitive (yet) with use of virgin raw materials • Quality of recyclates compromised due to Glass fibre: 9 • Efficient and • Requires dedicated facilities the high content of other materials Carbon fibre: high throughput with closed area to limit • Up to 40% material waste generated during 6/7 rates dust emissions grinding, sieving and processing • Consequently, large volume applications not (yet) developed

26 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

PYROLYSIS Economic viability depends on the scale and re-use that the matrix-obtained chemicals can have. To date, this re- Pyrolysis is a thermal recycling process which allows the cycling technology is only economically viable for carbon recovery of fibre in the form of ash and of polymer matrix fibres. It is, however, not currently implemented at large in the form of hydrocarbon products. Although it allows for scale since the volumes of carbon fibre reinforced compos- the lowest value loss from industrial-scale technologies, ites are low. With the next generation of mega-turbines, there is still a loss of value. Matrices are turned into pow- the required weight reduction and mechanical properties der or oil, potentially useable as additives and fillers. The will enhance the preferred use of carbon fibre composites fibre surface is often damaged due to the high - temper and the market volume might grow accordingly. atures, resulting in a decrease in mechanical properties. Pyrolysis requires high investment and running costs [26].

POINTS OF ATTEN- TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES TION • Fibre product may retain • The bi-products (Syngas and oil) oxidation residue or char can be used as energy source or as • Loss of strength of fibre due base chemicals/building blocks to high temperature Pyrolysis: 9 • Easily scaled-up • Economically sound for • Decreased quality of the Microwave: 4/5 • Microwave pyrolysis: Easier to con- carbon fibre recovery recovered carbon fibres from trol. Lower damage to the fibre to date original material (lowest • Already used at commercial scale value loss in comparison for recycling carbon fibre compos- to other mature recycling ites technologies)

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 27 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

HIGH VOLTAGE PULSE be recovered from the process and obtaining quality fi- FRAGMENTATION bres requires high levels of energy, an issue that could be overcome by operating at higher rates. Compared to High voltage pulse fragmentation is an electro-mechani- mechanical grinding, the quality of the fibres obtained is cal process that effectively separates matrices from fibres higher; fibres are longer and cleaner[26] . with the use of electricity. However, only short fibres can

TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES POINTS OF ATTENTION

• Potential to be scalable • Only laboratory- and pilot-scale • Size of the available to treat large amounts of equipment are available installations might be 6 waste • Decreased quality of the recov- suboptimal to recycle • Low investments required ered glass fibres from original the current stock of wind to reach the next TRL material turbine

28 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

SOLVOLYSIS ical properties. Solvolysis is easily scalable but investment and running costs are high and it is still at a relatively low Solvolysis is a chemical treatment where solvents (water, TRL [26]. alcohol and/or acid) are used to break the matrix bonds at a specific temperature and pressure. Solvolysis offers To date, only the carbon fibres are recycled through sol- many possibilities due to a wide range of solvent, tem- volysis. However, it is not currently implemented at large perature and pressure options. Compared to thermal scale since the volumes of carbon fibre reinforced compos- technologies, solvolysis requires lower temperatures to ites are low. With the next generation of mega-turbines, degrade the resins, resulting in a lower degradation of- fi the required weight reduction and mechanical properties bres. Solvolysis with super-critical water seems to be the will enhance the preferred use of carbon fibre composites most promising technology since both fibres and resins and the market volume might grow accordingly. can be retrieved without major impacts on their mechan-

TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES POINTS OF ATTENTION • High energy consumption due • Recovery of clean fibres at to high temperature and high their full length pressure of some processes • Soup of resin chemicals • Uses large volumes of solvents, produced which can be although these are mostly recov- • To date only the carbon 5/6 used as chemical building ered and reintegrated into the fibres are recycled blocks process • Low risk solvents are used • Decreased quality of the recov- such as alcohols, glycols ered carbon fibres from original and supercritical water material

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 29 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

FLUIDISED BED

The unique characteristic of this process is that it can treat mixed material (e.g. painted surfaces or foam cores), and therefore could be particularly suitable for end-of-life waste [26].

TRL STRENGTHS DISADVANTAGES POINTS OF ATTENTION • More tolerant of contam- • Process-related emissions ination (although appropriate miti- • Recovery of energy or po- • More degradation of fibres than 5/6 gation exists) tential precursor chemicals solvolysis/pyrolysis • Scale-up still needs to be • High efficiency of heat developed transfer

30 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Blade waste treatment methods

5.3 CONCLUSION fibre (1-2 €/kg) does not make the recovery of fibre as standalone product economically competitive. However, The above highlights that while various technologies exist it is envisaged that the recovery of the whole composite to recycle glass fibre and carbon fibre from wind turbine materials into chemical building blocks will represent a vi- blades, these solutions are yet to be widely available at able route. This is based on the recovery of pyrolysis oils industrial scale and to be cost-competitive. In many cas- and of chemicals obtained through gasification, which is es, the recycled material cannot compete with the price happening in other large volume sectors and value chains of virgin materials. For example the price of virgin glass (i.e. plastic waste).

FIGURE 9 Estimated relative costs and values of composite recycling technologies

The size of the bars is indicative and varies among EU recyclers using the same process due to varying process parameters such as throughput rates/capacity, temperature/pressure and retention time in the reactor. Cost and value (€/Kg)

Fluidised Bed Solvolysis High Voltage Pulse Pyrolysis Mechanical Co-Processing Fragmentation Grinding

Process Costs Potential material value of carbon fibre Potential material value of glass fibre

Source: Bax & Company and ETIPWind

Today, the main technology for recycling composite waste The best strategy for wind blades is the one that com- is through cement co-processing. WindEurope, Cefic and bines design, testing (according to latest standards to de- EuCIA strongly support increasing and improving compos- crease repair and failure rates), maintenance, upgrades ite waste recycling through the development of alterna- (e.g. reinforcement) and the appropriate recycling tech- tive recycling technologies which produce higher value nology to ensure the maximal value of the material is re- recyclates (both in terms of resin and fibre) and enable trieved throughout its lifetime. It should also systemically production of new composites. Further development and allow the re-use of materials for the same or similar pur- industrialisation of alternative thermal or chemical recy- poses (e.g. allows polymer matrices to revert to mono- cling technologies may provide composite-using sectors, mers and avoids fibre damage during the process). Having including the wind industry, with additional solutions for a good understanding of the environmental impacts as- end-of-life. sociated with the choice of materials during design and with the different waste treatment methods at end-of-life through life cycle assessments will also help define the ap- propriate strategy.

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 31 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA 6. TAKING BLADE RECYCLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

As described in previous chapters, technologies for recy- • Increased research and innovation (R&I) funding is cling composites exist. Cement co-processing is commer- required to diversify and scale up composite recycling cially available for processing large volumes of waste (al- technologies. beit not in all geographies yet). In this process the mineral components are reused in the cement. However, the glass • R&I funding should also be earmarked for the fibre shape is not maintained during the cement manu- development of new high-performance materials facturing process. Alternative recycling technologies are with enhanced circularity (design for longer lifetime, at different levels of maturity and/or too expensive at reuse/repurpose and ‘from and for recycling’ the moment, which means not all are fully commercially approach). available yet. The wind industry is pushing for the devel- opment and industrialisation of alternative technologies • The scientific understanding of the environmental to provide all composite-using sectors with additional impacts associated with the choice of materials solutions for end-of-life products. As such, the wind indus- during design and with the different waste treatment try is involved in many research & development projects methods at end-of-life should also be improved (life (Appendix A). However, in order to succeed, it’s crucial to cycle assessment). consider the following:

32 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Taking blade recycling to the next level

The European Wind Energy Technology platform (ETIPWind) had produced a brochure [1] on blade recycling that pro- vides R&I recommendations for policy makers as repro- duced in the tables below. The SUSCHEM’s Strategic In- novation and Research Agenda [10] provides further R&I recommendations, particularly on the design approach.

END-OF-LIFE APPROACH: COMPOSITE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES OF EXISTING BLADES • Provide funding for research study comparing the economic viability of new recycling technologies, including market barriers associated with different end-users • Promote proliferation of existing treatment routes like cement co-processing and increase acceptance around Europe • Set up large-scale demonstration facilities to industrialise and scale up new recycling solutions for wind turbine blades • Provide funding to support new manufacturing processes using recycled materials from blades in other sectors e.g. for production of new composites • Establish a European cross-sectorial platform (including the building, transportation and energy sectors) to share best practices in recycling composites • Promote reinforcement of value chain for recycling of composite waste from all sectors

DESIGN APPROACH: DEVELOPMENT OF NEW MATERIALS FOR FUTURE BLADES • Earmark R&I funding for the development of new high-performance materials that are more easily recyclable • Support demonstration facilities to test and integrate newly developed sustainable materials into next generation wind turbine blades • Fund research into “smart” materials that enable better blade designs. In addition, embed sensors in turbine blades to enable material health monitoring and health forecasting capabilities • Establish a full-scale demonstrator of a next generation wind turbine using “smart” materials that help optimise main- tenance and increase lifetime • Encourage blade designers to consider recycling technologies and reuse options during the process of structural de- sign and materials selection

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 33 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA REFERENCES

[1] ETIPWind (2019) How wind is going circular: blade strategy-brochure.pdf [accessed 21 April 2020]. recycling. Available online at https://etipwind.eu/files/ reports/ETIPWind-How-wind-is-going-circular-blade-recycling. [15] http://www.consultations-publiques.developpement-durable. pdf [accessed 21 April 2020]. gouv.fr/projets-d-arretes-portant-modification-de-la-a2138. [2] García Sánchez R., Pehlken A. and Lewandowski M. (2014) On the sustainability of wind energy regarding [16] Ministère de la transition écologique et solidaire (2019) material usage. Acta Tehnica Corviniensis - Bulletin of Economie circulaire dans la filière éolienne terrestre en Engineering Tome VII. Fascicule 1 [January – March]. France. Available online at https://www.vie-publique.fr/ ISSN: 20167 – 3809. rapport/271067-economie-circulaire-dans-la-filiere-eolienne- terrestre-en-france [accessed 21 April 2020]. [3] Umvelt Bundesamt (2019) Entwicklung eines Konzepts und Maßnahmen für einen ressourcensichernden [17] https://www.superuse-studios.com/projects/ Rückbau von Windenergieanlagen. Available online at rewind-willemsplein/ https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/entwicklung- eines-konzepts-massnahmen-fuer-einen [accessed 21 April [18] https://www.superuse-studios.com/projects/wikado/ 2020]. [19] https://www.superuse-studios.com/projects/kringloop-zuid/ [4] WindEurope (2019) Market outlook to 2023. [20] https://groenomstilling.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk/ [5] WindEurope (2017) Discussion paper on managing etablering-af-bro-bygget-af-genbrugte-vindmoellevinger composite blade waste. [21] https://www.energy-supply.dk/article/view/699757/ [6] WindEurope (2020) Wind energy in Europe in 2019. vindmollevinge_far_nyt_liv_pa_aalborg_havn

[7] WindEurope (2020) Repowering Trends in Europe. [22] Erhvervsstyrelsen (2016) Etablering af bro bygget af genbrugte vindmøllevinger. [8] www.eurofer.be/Sustainable%20Steel/Steel%20Recycling.fhtml [23] Goodman, J. (2010) Architectonic reuse of wind turbine [9] Conti-Ramsden, J., Dyer, K. (2015) Materials innovations blades, SOLAR 2010 Conference, ASES, May 18-22, 2010, for more efficient wind turbines. Renewable Energy Phoenix, Arizona. Focus, 16(5-6), 132-133. [24] Suhail, R., Chen, J-F., Gentry, R., Taristro-Hart, B., Xue, Y. [10] SUSCHEM (2019) Strategic Innovation and Research and Bank, L.C. (2019) Analysis and Design of a Pedestrian Agenda: Innovation Priorities for EU and Global Bridge with Decommissioned FRP Windblades and Challenges. Available online at http://www.suschem.org/ Concrete. Available online at https://www.re-wind.info/s/ publications [accessed 21 April 2020]. Suhail-et-al-FRPRCS14-paper-176F-2019.pdf [accessed 21 April 2020]. [11] Asociación Eólica Empresarial. Observatorio Tecnológico (2016) Innovación en el desarrollo de palas [25] Bax & Company (2019). Wind turbine blade circularity: Technologies and practices around the value chain. [12] Janssen, L. G. J., Arántegui, R. L., Brøndsted, P., Gimondo, Available online at http://baxcompany.com/wp-content/ P., Klimpel, B. B., & Thibaux, P. (2012) Strategic energy uploads/2019/06/wind-turbine-circularity.pdf [accessed technology plan. 21 April 2020].

[13] European Commission (2020) Circular Economy Action [26] SUSCHEM (2018) Polymer Composites Circularity. Plan: For a cleaner and more competitive Europe. Available online at http://www.suschem.org/publications Available online at https://ec.europa.eu/environment/ [accessed 21 April 2020]. circular-economy/ [accessed 21 April 2020]

[14] European Commission (2018) A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. Available online athttps:// ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/plastics-

34 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA APPENDIX A. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

PUBLICATION Beauson, J., Brøndsted, P. (2016) Wind turbine blades: an end of life perspective. In Ostachowicz, W. McGugan, M., Schröder-Hinrichs, J., Luczak, M. (2016) MARE-WINT. New Materials and Reliability in Offshore Wind Turbine Technology, 421-432. Springer https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-39095-6_23 Beauson, J., Madsen, B., Toncelli, C., Brøndsted, P., Bech, J. (2016) Recycling of shredded composites from wind turbine blades in new thermoset polymer composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science & Manufacturing, 90, 390-399 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X16302299 Cherrington, R., Goodship, V., Meredith, J., Wood, B., Coles, S., Vuillaume, A., Feito-Boirac, A., Spee, F., Kirwan, K. (2012) Producer responsibility: Defining the incentive for recycling composite wind turbine blades in Europe. Energy Policy, 47, 13-21 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421512002819 Composites UK (unknown) End of life options https://compositesuk.co.uk/composite-materials/properties/end-life-options Composites UK (2016) Composites recycling – where are we now? https://compositesuk.co.uk/system/files/documents/Recycling%20Report%202016.pdf Correia, J., Almeida, N., Figueira, J. (2011) Recycling of FRP composites: reusing fine GFRP waste in concrete mixtures, Journal of Cleaner Production, 19:15, 1745-1753 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611001880 EuCIA (European Composites Industry Association) - Publications http://www.eucia.eu/publications/ EuCIA (2011) Composites recycling made it easy http://csmres.co.uk/cs.public.upd/article-downloads/EuCIA-position-paper-52816.pdf EuCIA (2011) Glass fibre reinforced thermosets: recyclable and compliant with the EU legislation http://csmres.co.uk/cs.public.upd/article-downloads/EuCIA-position-paper-52816.pdf Hao, S. Kuah, A.T.H., Rudd C.D. & Mao, J. (2019) A circular economy approach to green energy: Wind turbine, waste, and material recovery, Science of the Total Environment, 702:135054 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337004611_A_circular_economy_approach_to_green_energy_Wind_turbine_waste_and_ma- terial_recovery Jensen, J.P. (2019) Evaluating the environmental impacts of recycling wind turbines, Wind Energy, 22(2), 316-326 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/we.2287 National Composites Network (2006) Best practice guide: end of life options for composite waste https://compositesuk.co.uk/system/files/documents/End of Life Options.pdf Oliveux, G., Dandy, L., Leeke, G. (2015) Current status of recycling of fibre reinforced polymers: review of technologies, reuse and resulting properties. Progress in Materials Science, 72, 61-99 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0079642515000316 Pickering, S. (2006) Recycling technologies for thermoset composite materials—current status. Composites Part A: Ap- plied Science and Manufacturing, 37(8), 1203-1215 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359835X05002101 Psomopoulos, C.S., Kalkanis, K, Kaminaris, S, Ioannidis, G.Ch. & Pachos, P. (2019) A Review of the Potential for the Recov- ery of Wind Turbine Blade Waste Materials, Recycling, 4(1), 7 https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/4/1/7

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 35 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Appendix A. Additional resources

Rybicka, J., Tiwari, A. & Leeke G.A. (2016) Technology readiness level assessment of composites recycling technologies, Journal of Cleaner Production, 112(1):1001 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303824455_Technology_readiness_level_assessment_of_composites_recycling_technologies Shuaib, N.A., Mativenga, P.T., Howarth, J., Pestalozzi, F. Woidasky, J. (2016) High VVoltage Fragmentation and Mechanical Recycling of Glass Fibre Thermoset Composite. CIRP Annals of Manufacturing Technology, 65(1), 45-48. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000785061630107X Superuse Studios (unknown) Blade Made https://issuu.com/2012architecten/docs/blademade Ribeiro, M., Fiúza, A., Ferreira, A., Dinis, M., Meira Castro, A., Meixedo, J., Alvim, M., (2016) Recycling Approach towards Sustainability Advance of Composite Materials’ Industry. Recycling, 1, 178-193 http://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/1/1/178/pdf Windpower Engineering & Development (2016) Reaching retirement: recycling aging turbine blades https://www.windpowerengineering.com/recycling-wind-turbine-blades/ Yazdanbakhsh, A., Bank, L., (2014) A Critical Review of Research on Reuse of Mechanically Recycled FRP Production and End-of-Life Waste for Construction. Polymers, 6, 1810-1826 http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/6/6/1810/pdf

PUBLICALLY FUNDED PROJECTS AIRPOXY Introducing a novel family of ground-breaking thermoset composites that preserve all the advantages of conventional thermosets, but can also be easily processed and repaired and even recycled. Date: 2018-2022 - https://www.airpoxy.eu/ ReDisCoveR Transform the UK’s wolrd leading composite end-of-life academic and commercial capabilities into a fully functioning and interconnected supply chain as the fledging market expands exponentionally. Date: 2019 - https://www.nccuk.com/work-with-us/cross-catapult-projects/rediscover-composites/?popupclosed=true R3FIBER Thermal recycling process: technical and economic feasibility of R3FIBER process, obtaining high quality glass and carbon fibres in a self-sustained process. Date: 2018 - https://www.bcircular.com/r3fiber/ ECOBULK Large-scale European initiative which will demonstrate that re-using, upgrading, refurbishing and recycling composite products is possible, profitable, sustainable and appealing. The project selected products in the furniture, automotive and building sectors as demonstrators. Date: 2017-2021 - https://www.ecobulk.eu/ FiberEUse Large scale demonstration of new circular economy value-chains based on the reuse of end-of-life fiber reinforced com- posites. Date: 2017-2021 - http://fibereuse.eu/ Re-Wind Compare sustainable end-of-life reuse and recycling strategies for composite material wind turbine blades using Geo- graphic Information Science (GIS) platform coupled with environmental, economic and social Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA). Date: 2017-2019 - https://www.re-wind.info/ ReRoBalsa Recycling of rotor blades in order to recover balsa wood/foam for the production of insulation materials. Date: 2017-2019 - https://www.wki.fraunhofer.de/en/departments/hnt/profile/research-projects/Recycling-of-rotor-blades.html Developing a concept and measures for resource saving dismantling of wind turbines 19 month project to develop a circular economy approach for end-of-life onshore wind turbines. Date: 2017-2019 - https://ramboll.com/media/environ/supporting-a-major-circular-economy-project-in-the-german-wind-energy-sector

36 Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA Appendix A. Additional resources

Dreamwind Investigating new ways to recycle and manufacture reusable composite materials for wind turbine blades via bio-based resources and stimuli-responsive materials. Date: 2016-2020 - http://www.dreamwind.dk/en/ NANOLEAP Developing demonstrators and business cases for new applications of secondary raw materials stemming from composite waste streams. Date: 2015-2018 - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/646397 WaliD Wind blade using cost-effective advanced lightweight design, part of the project has been designing approaches for recy- clable rotor blades. Date: 2015-2017 - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/309985 LIFE BRIO Project Optimising procedures for the dismantling of wind farms, taking into account the proper management of composite waste from blades, as well as developing policy and legislative recommendations to the European Commission. Date: 2014-2017 - http://www.lifebrio.eu/index.php/en/ ForCycle Recycling of composite parts from plastics with matrix materials. Date: 2014-2016 - https://www.ivv.fraunhofer.de/en/recycling-environment/recycling-of-plastic-composites/forcycle.html EXHUME Development of new and resource efficient composite recycling and re-manufacturing processes in collaboration with industry. Date: 2013-2016 - https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/case-studies/exhume Genvind Innovation Consortium Demonstrated how composite waste can be applied in different products, components and structures which were based on cradle-to-cradle philosophies. Date: 2012-2016 - https://www.dti.dk/genvind/35154 SELFRAG CFRP Development of a high voltage pulse fragmentation process for the recycling of thermoset composite materials. Date: 2012-2014 - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/106311/reporting/en SUSRAC Mechanical recycling of aircraft composites using grinding and identification of novel applications. Date: 2011-2013 - https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/101279/reporting/en Recycling of Waste Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic with Microwave Pyrolysis Recycling FRP thermosets via microwave pyrolysis. Date: 2011-2012 - http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.createPage&s_ref=LIFE07%20 ENV/S/000904&area=2&yr=2007&n_proj_id=3308&cfid=35676&cftoken=f9a755eebb6457c1-BA9893A6-9033-00C6-0E8F85F614A- 2DAD6&mode=print&menu=false EURECOMP (Recycling Thermoset Composites of the SST) Recycling FRP thermosets via solvolysis. Date: 2009-2012 - http://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/54152_en.html REACT (Re-use of Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics by Selective Shredding and Re-activating the Recyclate) Recycling FRP thermosets via mechanical processes. Date: 2003-2005 - http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/68366_en.html

Accelerating Wind Turbine Blade Circularity - 2020 37 WindEurope – Cefic - EuCIA

Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, founded in 1972, is the voice of large, medium and small chemical companies across Europe, which provide 1.2 million jobs and account for about 17% of world chemicals production.

Cefic members form one of the most active networks of the business community, complemented by partnerships with industry associations representing various sectors in the value chain. A full list of our members is available on the Cefic .

Headquartered in , the European Composites Industry Association (EuCIA) represents European national composite associations as well as industry-specific sector groups at EU level. With the support of its members EuCIA is actively contributing to building an economically and environmentally sustain- able European composites industry. EuCIA closely monitors relevant standards and legislation, actively communicates the ways in which composites contribute to a more sustainable world, and promotes educational activities. Our initiatives aim to enable the healthy growth and continued competitiveness of more than 10,000 companies and an estimated 150,000 employees involved in composites manufac- turing across Europe.

WindEurope is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind power in Europe and worldwide. It has over 400 members with headquarters in more than 35 countries, including the leading wind tur- bine manufacturers, component suppliers, research institutes, energy associations, de- velopers, contractors, electricity providers, financial institutions, insurance companies and consultants. This combined strength makes WindEurope Europe’s largest and most powerful wind energy network.

Bluepoint Building, Rue Belliard 40, 1040 Brussels, Belgium 80 Bd A. Reyers Ln., 1030 Brussels, Belgium Rue Belliard 40, 1040 Brussels, Belgium T +32 2 436 93 00 T +32 370 89 06 T +32 2 213 1811 · F +32 2 213 1890 cefic.org eucia.eu windeurope.org