The EU-funded EOLIAN project has achieved a key milestone in its mission to develop a new generation of wind turbine blades manufactured using novel bio-based vitrimer composites.
In recent trials, project partners Proplast and Politecnico di Milano have succeeded in manufacturing basalt fibre reinforced vitrimer composite laminates using the infusion process.
“The fibre reinforced composites currently used to manufacture wind turbine blades are not easy to recycle,” explains EOLIAN project coordinator Marco Monti of Proplast. “In recent years, vitrimers have emerged as a potential breakthrough solution to this problem. The manufacture of bio-based vitrimer composites using the infusion process employed by blade manufacturers is extremely challenging and this achievement is an important first step towards our project’s goal – the production of a 12 m long vitrimer composite demonstration blade.”
Vitrimer composites – a more sustainable alternative
Driven by the need to reduce environmental impact, wind turbine blade manufacturers are actively seeking more sustainable, circular materials to substitute the glass fibre reinforced thermoset composites currently used in blade production. EOLIAN is addressing this demand by developing a new generation of composite materials combining a bio-based vitrimer matrix with natural basalt fibre reinforcement. The unique properties of vitrimers – including repairability, reprocessability, and recyclability – will contribute to enhanced sustainability throughout the blade’s life cycle. Vitrimers also pave the way to different end-of-life strategies, from reuse through thermoforming, to chemical recycling enabling separation of fibre from matrix.
In order to realise these potential benefits EOLIAN must however develop vitrimer formulations that satisfy the wind industry’s stringent standards for performance, manufacturing, and cost. A strategy for transitioning these innovative materials from laboratory to industrial application is also essential.
EuCIA and EOLIAN
EOLIAN – Bio-based, repairable and recyclable vitrimer composites and advanced sensors for highly reliable, sustainable wind blades – is developing a new generation of smart, sustainable wind turbine blades manufactured from repairable and recyclable composite materials, with an integrated structural health monitoring system that will detect damage before it becomes a major issue.
EuCIA is leader of Work Package 8: Dissemination and exploitation
The project consortium also includes project coordinator Proplast (Italy), AEP Polymers (Italy), Brunel University London (UK), Entelea (UK), IRES (Belgium), Norvento (Spain), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), Tekniker (Spain), and Zorlu Enerji (Türkiye).
EOLIAN commenced in June 2024 and will run until the end of November 2027.
Visit the EOLIAN website for further information.
