Giorgia Burzachechi A Chinese research team has developed an innovative technology for recycling decommissioned wind turbine blades, turning them into asphalt and concrete materials. After five years of studies, the solution has been successfully tested on a highway in China, demonstrating the feasibility of the process
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A group of researchers from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a new technology which can potentially solve the problem of recycling old wind turbine blades.
The end of the turbine life cycle
China’s wind power has grown at a rapid rate over the last few years and is a significant contributor to the energy mix of the country. However, the turbines that had been installed and are expected to last 20 to 25 years are now reaching the end of their life.
Analysts say China will soon face a cascade of aging wind turbines and are considering how to recycle them by the end of this year.
The chinese research
After five years of research, the Chinese Academy of Sciences team has developed an answer not only to how to demolish these giants but also how to turn them into something useful.
Although the majority of wind turbine materials, such as towers, hubs, and generators, are recyclable scrap metal, the blades are not. Made of composite materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, and epoxy resin—chosen for their strength, lightness, and durability—the blades are difficult and expensive to recycle. This research can revolutionize the wind farm industry.
The second life of wind turbine blades
The researchers were able to solve the problem by utilizing these same properties: light weight and good corrosion resistance. Through physical grinding and chemical treatment, the scientists were able to create a mixture for the production of asphalt and concrete.
In collaboration with a domestic road construction company, the group carried out field trials of applying modified asphalt mixtures composed of waste turbine blades on Qingfu-Lanzhou highway in Gansu Province, northwest China, in September 2024.
The company recently released a statement announcing that after more than five months of usage, the treated road surface exhibited promising results. The road failed to develop cracks, grooves, or peeling of material, confirming the viability of this recycling process.
The technology will be piloted in additional demonstration projects this year with continued collaboration among research organizations and industry players.
