End-of-Life wind turbine blades: Review on recycling strategies

The review focuses on End-of-Life (EoL) strategies, with a primary emphasis on recycling techniques, to manage fiber reinforced thermoset polymer waste from decommissioned wind turbine blades. Wind energy has recently become one of the most important sources of electricity. Over the next few years, further growth is expected, leading to increasing amounts of EoL waste, and especially composite waste, which is difficult to recycle. Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) is the predominant composite material used in blades. However, the increasing size of next-generation wind turbine blades is also driving the adoption of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). GFRP is often recycled through cement kiln process or mechanically due to its low-cost. Thus, research is needed on cost-effective methods that can recover valuable glass fibers. On the other hand, CFRP is a high-value material, justifying the use of high-cost recycling approaches compared to virgin fiber production.