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Prospects for the Valorization of Wind Turbine Blade Waste: Fiber Recovery and Recycling

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  • Regina Kalpokaitė-Dičkuvienė

    (Laboratory of Materials Research and Testing, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos St. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Vilma Snapkauskienė

    (Plasma Processing Laboratory, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Breslaujos St. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

The article reviews the literature on the potential utilization of decommissioned wind turbine blade waste (WTBW) in construction materials, including geopolymers, which are rarely discussed. The review indicates that only the mechanical processing of WTBW creates prerequisites for its possible use as fillers in construction materials; however, adjustments to the composition of binding materials are necessary. Wind turbine blades (WTBs) are usually made from strong and durable composite materials, thus posing serious recycling and environmental challenges. Thermal process methods are promising approaches for recovering glass fibers from thermosets of WTBW through pyrolysis or converting WTBW into fibers via plasma processing. Preliminary durability studies of such recovered and recycled glass fibers have demonstrated their potential application in geopolymers or cement-based materials. Implementing these technologies would expand the waste management system, completing recycling and reuse solutions. To successfully adopt more environmentally friendly solutions, further development of geopolymer production processes and sustainable fiber recovery is recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • Regina Kalpokaitė-Dičkuvienė & Vilma Snapkauskienė, 2025. "Prospects for the Valorization of Wind Turbine Blade Waste: Fiber Recovery and Recycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:4202-:d:1650280
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jensen, J.P. & Skelton, K., 2018. "Wind turbine blade recycling: Experiences, challenges and possibilities in a circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 165-176.
    2. Jawed Qureshi, 2022. "A Review of Recycling Methods for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    3. Ebbe Bagge Paulsen & Peter Enevoldsen, 2021. "A Multidisciplinary Review of Recycling Methods for End-of-Life Wind Turbine Blades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Dovilė Gimžauskaitė & Andrius Tamošiūnas & Justas Eimontas & Mindaugas Aikas & Rolandas Uscila & Vilma Snapkauskienė, 2024. "Bituminous Soil Remediation in the Thermal Plasma Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Daria Jasińska & Maciej Dutkiewicz, 2025. "Waste Management of Wind Turbine Blades—A Review of Recycling Methods and Applications in Cementitious Composites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-14, January.
    6. Deeney, Peter & Leahy, Paul G. & Campbell, Kevin & Ducourtieux, Claire & Mullally, Gerard & Dunphy, Niall P., 2025. "End-of-life wind turbine blades and paths to a circular economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
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