ZEBRA Project Aims to Develop 100% Recyclable Composite Wind Turbine Blades

IRT Jules Verne is a mutualized industrial research centre dedicated to manufacturing. Now they have created a cross-sector consortium of industrial companies and technological centers (Arkema, CANOE, ENGIE, Suez, LM Wind Power, Owens Corning) to develop wind energy industry’s first 100% recyclable wind turbine blade.

The ZEBRA (Zero wastE Blade ReseArch) project wants to demonstrate on a full scale the technical, economic and environmental relevance of thermoplastic wind turbine blades, with an eco-design approach to facilitate recycling. The project has been launched for a period of 42 months with a budget of 18.5M€.

To accelerate wind power industry’s transition to a circular economy for wind turbine blades, the ZEBRA project establishes a strategic consortium that represents the full value chain: from development of materials, to blade manufacturing, to wind turbine operation and decommissioning, and finally recycling of the decommissioned blade material, IRT Jules Verne said in a statement.

Céline Largeau, ZEBRA project Manager, IRT Jules Verne, stated: “Demonstrating a circular approach to wind turbine blades throughout their lifetime requires mobilizing a strategic consortium covering the whole value chain to guarantee valuable and precise industrial data and achievements. The ZEBRA project is a great opportunity to join together Arkema, CANOE, ENGIE, LM Wind Power, Owens Corning and Suez who are key leaders in the wind energy sector. We look forward to carrying out constructive work altogether to improve wind energy performance and efficiency.”

To read more about the exact input of each company, please visit the website of IRT Jules Verne.