BLADE2CIRC: Pioneering Circular Wind Turbine Blades with Reversible Polymers, Bio‑Based Fibers & Enzymatic Recycling

Source | BLADE2CIRC project

The EU-funded BLADE2CIRC project has completed its first 24 months out of the complete 42-month timeline. It continues to advance the development of a new generation of high-performance wind turbine blades specifically designed for circularity, using innovative bio-based composite materials and design solutions that facilitate disassembly at end of life.

By combining advanced polymers, sustainable fibers and innovative recycling strategies, BLADE2CIRC aims to reduce environmental impact and foster a more sustainable wind energy sector. As project coordinator, the Aitiip Technology Center (Zaragoza, Spain) guides the consortium toward tangible scientific results and pilot-scale developments.

Reaching this stage marks a key milestone. In recent months, the BLADE2CIRC consortium has made significant progress across multiple technological areas, including:

• Developments in reversible polymer chemistry, led by 
  Specific Polymers (Castries, France), are enabling the simulation of dynamic vitrimer systems capable of reorganizing their chemical structure, paving the way for more recyclable materials while optimizing research efficiency.

• The University of Limerick (Ireland) has successfully scaled up the production of lignin-based fibers, producing multifilament yarns suitable for reinforcing composite materials.
• Centexbel (Ghent, Belgium) has developed initial fabric prototypes, combining lignin fibers with PAN (polyacrylonitrile) to facilitate processing.

• Because new materials must comply with established industry requirements,  EireComposites (Inverin, Ireland) has led a comprehensive standards assessment and regulatory mapping activity, as well as a review of testing and qualification standards and how to comply with REACH requirements.
• Moses Productos (Zaragoza, Spain) has focused on scaling up advanced resins and materials used in structural components, adhesives, and coatings. 
• EvoEnzyme (Madrid, Spain) has continued to advance using enzymes to recycle composite wind turbine blade components.

As the project enters its second phase, activities will increasingly focus on validation and demonstration. These advances contribute to promoting circularity across the entire wind energy value chain and bring the project closer to its ultimate goal of supporting Europe’s transition to climate neutrality by 2050.