Circularity in Wind Turbines Blades: a joint workshop by JIDEP and BLADES2BUILD projects (Part II)

In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, circular economy practices are not just an environmental imperative—they’re also the cornerstone of innovation and cost efficiency. The recent workshop on February 18, the JIDEP & BLADES2BUILD project brought together key stakeholders from the fields of renewable energy and materials engineering to discuss innovative solutions for recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades, upholding the values of the circular economy. This collaborative effort is particularly relevant in today's context, as demand for sustainable construction materials from various industries continues to grow. We are publishing the workshop recap in two parts. In this final installment, we cover the open discussion and the synergies between both projects outlined during the workshop.

Following the project introduction, Farhadur Arifin, Research Lead at TVS, showcased demonstrations of three key tools that are developed under the project during the webinar, including:

1. Digital Product Passport (DPP): Enhances traceability and supports recycling by providing vital product data.
2. Circularity Calculator (CC): Enables manufacturers and recyclers to calculate material circularity indices.
3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Tool: Assists in accurately assessing environmental footprints.

Open Discussion

During the open floor discussion session, participants explored several key aspects of the digital product passport and recycling processes within the projects. They discussed the decision to focus on mechanical recycling to ensure a cost-efficient solution that can be quickly implemented in the market. There was also discussion about integrating wind turbine blades with construction demolition materials to meet a minimum recycled content requirement in products like concrete.

The session covered the benefits of the digital passport in ensuring full traceability along the supply chain. It was explained that the passport system would include due diligence data and support tools, for example a mass balancer, to track recycled content from the raw material stage to the final product. Participants noted that although there are additional costs involved with implementing these digital tools, the benefits of increased transparency and compliance with industry regulations outweigh these overheads.

Further discussion focused on the use of digital tools, particularly for LCA, which follow strict methodologies like the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF). The importance of third-party verification and adherence to ISO standards was highlighted, ensuring that the tools provide accurate and reliable data.

Additional points addressed practical concerns, such as how QR codes, NFC or RFID tags would be used to provide access to the digital passport data, especially when applied to products like concrete. The conversation also touched on the current reliance on the ecoinvent database for material information, with expectations that the upcoming EF database promoted by the EU will eventually take precedence.

Synergies and the Road Ahead

Both BLADES2BUILD and JIDEP Projects illustrate how cross-sector collaboration can fuel innovation in sustainability and circular economy:

1. Complementary Approaches: While BLADES2BUILD tackles the physical recycling and repurposing of composite materials, JIDEP offers the digital backbone that ensures all data—from the recycling process to the final product—is transparent and verifiable.
2. Enhanced Traceability: The digital product passport and associated tools help to overcome one of the key challenges in recycling—accurate tracking of materials. This is particularly crucial for industries with strict regulations, such as automotive and construction.
3. Future Opportunities: With the evolving regulatory landscape (including eco-design and recycling mandates), both projects are well-positioned to not only influence industry practices but also to pave the way for next-generation circular economy initiatives.

The webinar provided a unique glimpse into how practical, hands-on approaches (like recycling wind turbine blades) can merge seamlessly with digital innovations, creating a comprehensive strategy for sustainable industrial growth.

Conclusion

The BLADES2BUILD and JIDEP projects represent significant strides in addressing the sustainability crisis within the renewable energy sector, particularly focusing on reducing waste produced by wind energy. Through collaborative efforts in the areas of recycling, digital technology, and industrial cooperation, these projects are setting a precedent for future innovations in the sustainability landscape.

Together, they reinforce the critical message that sustainable practices and collaboration are essential for a greener future, ultimately leading to a circular economy where waste is minimised and resources are effectively utilised.