China transforming retired wind turbine blades into new resources

China transforming retired wind turbine blades into new resources and addressing a major environmental challenge in renewable energy industry.

A team of Chinese researchers has pioneered a groundbreaking technology that could transform the process of retiring and repurposing aging wind turbine blades.

After five years of extensive study, the research team, led by Tang Zhicheng from the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has introduced an innovative solution. This development not only tackles the challenge of disposing of massive wind turbine blades but also converts them into useful materials, supporting the sustainable growth of the renewable energy sector.

China’s wind power industry has seen remarkable expansion in recent years, playing a crucial role in enhancing global energy supplies and combating climate change. However, with wind turbines typically designed to last between 20 to 25 years, a growing number are nearing the end of their operational life.

Industry analysts predict that by 2025, China will witness a surge in retired wind turbines, raising concerns about their disposal and environmental impact.

While certain turbine components, such as towers, hubs, and gearboxes, can be recycled for their metal content, the blades present a unique challenge. Constructed from composite materials like glass fiber, carbon fiber, and epoxy resin, these blades are designed to be lightweight yet extremely durable, making them difficult and costly to recycle. At present, no large-scale, cost-effective recycling method exists worldwide.

The research team has addressed this issue by utilizing the distinct characteristics of retired turbine blades—lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance. By employing a combination of physical crushing and chemical processing, the team has successfully repurposed these blades for use in asphalt mixtures and cement concrete.

In partnership with a local road construction firm, the researchers tested the modified asphalt mixture containing recycled wind turbine blades on a section of the Qingfu Highway in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, in September 2024.

Wang Zhaoli, deputy general manager of the construction company, reported that after over five months of use, the modified asphalt pavement demonstrated excellent durability. The road surface remained intact, showing no signs of cracks, rutting, or material detachment, proving the viability of this recycling method.

According to the research team, additional demonstration projects are planned for this year, involving continued collaboration between research institutions and industry players. These initiatives aim to establish a dependable and scalable approach to recycling decommissioned wind turbine blades.

Tang Zhicheng emphasized that with advancements in recycling technologies, the vast number of retired wind turbine blades could be repurposed as valuable “urban mineral resources.”

This transition would not only support the renewable energy sector’s sustainable growth but also contribute to China’s environmental goals—peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, Tang added.