Recycling Waste Wind Turbine Blades for Low-Carbon Concrete (WINDCRETE)
Lead Research Organisation:
IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Abstract
Central to the UK's ambition to achieve Net Zero is the increasing transition to renewable wind energy. To achieve this goal, the UK has set out a Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution which places offshore wind at Point One in its energy strategy. Already a global leader, the UK aims to generate 50% of its electricity using wind power by 2030, nearly doubling its current output.
However, the UK is facing a compelling challenge of dealing with massive amount of waste blades while benefitting from wind power. The lifetime of wind blades is 25 years. It is estimated that around 5,200 blades of ~34,400 tons will be decommissioned in the next 5 years in the UK and this number will increase by 10 times by 2050. By then, Europe will have 325,000 waste blades. It is estimated that 43 million tons of waste blades will be decommissioned globally by 2050, making it a pressing national and international issue.
The wind turbine blades are predominantly made of fibre glass composites comprising glass fibres embedded in a polymer resin (e.g. epoxy). These composites are engineered to be very tough, making them extremely difficult to decompose in the natural environment. Unfortunately, the current recycling methods are either energy intensive or too expensive, leaving the waste blades to be landfilled or incinerated creating serious environmental problems. Some European countries have banned landfilling waste blades through legislation and the UK is expected to follow this trend.
Construction industry is also facing a critical environmental issue because the production of cement (as the key constituent of concrete) is an energy intensive process with huge CO2 emissions. Generally, producing one ton of cement releases about one ton of CO2 in the air, making cement production account for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The UK construction industry consumed 15,218,000 tons of cement in 2020, and it is in an urgent need of technologies for reducing cement consumption to achieve the Net Zero goal by 2050.
My fellowship aims to develop a completely new and feasible technology to recycle waste wind turbine blades for making low-carbon concrete (WINDCRETE). This is underpinned by my pioneering research which shows that the silica-rich recycled powder from grinding the waste blades is chemically reactive in alkaline solution (pozzolanic reactivity), so that it can replace cement for making concrete. I will develop WINDCRETE into a new construction material through a series of fundamental research in (a) glass and polymer separation, (b) hydration and molecular modelling, (b) pozzolanic reactivity maximisation, (c) strength/durability optimisation and (d) life cycle analysis (LCA).
I have engaged with 9 industrial partners across broad sectors including wind blade manufacturer, cement and concrete producer, construction and designer, waste management, composites trade association and innovator. In close collaboration with industries, I will bring WINDCRETE from the lab to the real world through a startup which is underpinned by two patents developed from this research and successful demonstrations on the partners' construction sites.
WINDCRETE brings an exciting opportunity to address two global issues in both wind energy and construction industries, establishing a new paradigm in recycling waste blades while decarbonising concrete. More importantly, I will generalise WINDCRETE to extend its impact to wider industries like aviation, automobile, marine and electronics, which are using massive fibre glass composites but facing the same challenge of recycling the waste.
However, the UK is facing a compelling challenge of dealing with massive amount of waste blades while benefitting from wind power. The lifetime of wind blades is 25 years. It is estimated that around 5,200 blades of ~34,400 tons will be decommissioned in the next 5 years in the UK and this number will increase by 10 times by 2050. By then, Europe will have 325,000 waste blades. It is estimated that 43 million tons of waste blades will be decommissioned globally by 2050, making it a pressing national and international issue.
The wind turbine blades are predominantly made of fibre glass composites comprising glass fibres embedded in a polymer resin (e.g. epoxy). These composites are engineered to be very tough, making them extremely difficult to decompose in the natural environment. Unfortunately, the current recycling methods are either energy intensive or too expensive, leaving the waste blades to be landfilled or incinerated creating serious environmental problems. Some European countries have banned landfilling waste blades through legislation and the UK is expected to follow this trend.
Construction industry is also facing a critical environmental issue because the production of cement (as the key constituent of concrete) is an energy intensive process with huge CO2 emissions. Generally, producing one ton of cement releases about one ton of CO2 in the air, making cement production account for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The UK construction industry consumed 15,218,000 tons of cement in 2020, and it is in an urgent need of technologies for reducing cement consumption to achieve the Net Zero goal by 2050.
My fellowship aims to develop a completely new and feasible technology to recycle waste wind turbine blades for making low-carbon concrete (WINDCRETE). This is underpinned by my pioneering research which shows that the silica-rich recycled powder from grinding the waste blades is chemically reactive in alkaline solution (pozzolanic reactivity), so that it can replace cement for making concrete. I will develop WINDCRETE into a new construction material through a series of fundamental research in (a) glass and polymer separation, (b) hydration and molecular modelling, (b) pozzolanic reactivity maximisation, (c) strength/durability optimisation and (d) life cycle analysis (LCA).
I have engaged with 9 industrial partners across broad sectors including wind blade manufacturer, cement and concrete producer, construction and designer, waste management, composites trade association and innovator. In close collaboration with industries, I will bring WINDCRETE from the lab to the real world through a startup which is underpinned by two patents developed from this research and successful demonstrations on the partners' construction sites.
WINDCRETE brings an exciting opportunity to address two global issues in both wind energy and construction industries, establishing a new paradigm in recycling waste blades while decarbonising concrete. More importantly, I will generalise WINDCRETE to extend its impact to wider industries like aviation, automobile, marine and electronics, which are using massive fibre glass composites but facing the same challenge of recycling the waste.
Organisations
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Lead Research Organisation)
- LM Wind Power (Collaboration)
- Costain Group (Collaboration)
- Cemex plc (Collaboration)
- Balfour Beatty (Collaboration)
- B&M Longworth (Collaboration)
- National Composites Centre (NCC) (Collaboration)
- Mott Macdonald UK Ltd (Collaboration)
- Mott Macdonald (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- B&M Longworth (Edgworth) Ltd (Project Partner)
- CEMEX UK Operations Ltd (Project Partner)
- BALFOUR BEATTY PLC (Project Partner)
- NCC Operations Ltd (Project Partner)
- Costain (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Gurit Composite Technologies (Project Partner)
- LM Wind Power UK (Project Partner)
- Composites UK (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Chao Wu (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Liu S
(2025)
Pozzolanic Analysis of GFRP Powder from Retired Wind Turbine Blades as Supplementary Cementitious Material
in Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Liu S
(2024)
Improving the pozzolanic reactivity of recycled powders from retired wind turbine blades by removing the polymer phase through thermal treatment
in Journal of Building Engineering
Vigor J
(2025)
Mechanical treatment for enhancing the pozzolanic reactivity of recycled powder from waste wind turbine blades
in Construction and Building Materials
Wu C
(2024)
Pozzolanic Reactivity of Recycled Powders from Waste Wind Turbine Blades
in Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
| Description | Two journal papers have been published as part of this FLF project, which aims to develop a sustainable recycling solution for waste wind turbine blades. The key hypothesis is that powder derived from these blades could exhibit pozzolanic reactivity, allowing it to serve as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) to partially replace cement in concrete. This approach would provide a valuable method to repurpose problematic waste blades while contributing to the development of low-carbon construction materials. The first paper, "Pozzolanic Analysis of GFRP Powder from Retired Wind Turbine Blades as Supplementary Cementitious Material," published in the ASCE Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, investigates the fundamental pozzolanic properties of the powder from grinding the waste blades. The study examines whether this material can function as an SCM to reduce reliance on traditional cement, which is a major contributor to carbon emissions. The findings indicate that, while the powder does exhibit pozzolanic activity, its performance is limited due to the presence of polymer resin coating the glass fibers. This resin inhibits the material's ability to react with cement, leading to increased air voids and reduced concrete strength. To enhance its viability as a cement alternative, the study suggests several improvement strategies, including finer grinding, thermal treatment to remove the resin, and chemical modifications to enhance reactivity. Building on these findings, the second paper, "Improving the Pozzolanic Reactivity of Recycled Powders from Retired Wind Turbine Blades by Removing the Polymer Phase through Thermal Treatment," published in the Journal of Building Engineering, directly addresses one of the key challenges identified in the first study: the negative impact of the polymer resin. This research explores the use of thermal treatment to remove the resin and enhance the pozzolanic reactivity of the powder. The study identifies 550°C as the optimal temperature for resin removal, effectively burning off the polymer while preserving the reactive glass fibers. This treatment significantly improves the material's performance in concrete, increasing its flowability, reducing air voids, and enhancing compressive strength. However, despite these improvements, the treated powder still does not match the performance of traditional SCMs such as fly ash. The paper highlights the need for further refinement, including optimizing particle size and conducting life cycle and cost analyses to assess the economic and environmental viability of this recycling approach. Together, these two studies form the foundation for the subsequent work packages of the FLF fellowship project. By identifying the challenges associated with using the powder as a cement replacement and demonstrating a viable method to improve its reactivity, these papers provide the critical groundwork for further research. Future stages of the project will build on these findings by optimizing the recycling process, refining the material's performance in concrete, and assessing its environmental and economic viability. Ultimately, this research paves the way for scaling up the recycling of waste wind turbine blades into a practical and sustainable solution for low-carbon concrete production. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings from this research provide a crucial foundation for advancing the recycling of waste wind turbine blades into sustainable construction materials. Several pathways exist for taking these outcomes forward and putting them into practical use: 1. Industry Adoption and Commercialization - Cement manufacturers and concrete producers can explore integrating treated GFRP powder into their formulations as a low-carbon supplementary cementitious material. With further optimization, this material could be commercialized as an alternative to conventional SCMs like fly ash and blast furnace slag, particularly in regions where these materials are scarce. 2. Policy and Regulation Development - The research highlights both the potential and challenges of using GFRP powder in concrete, providing a strong basis for policymakers to develop guidelines, standards, and incentives for incorporating recycled materials into construction. Establishing regulatory frameworks could accelerate industry adoption and support sustainability goals in the built environment. 3. Further Research and Innovation - The results of these studies open avenues for additional research into refining the processing of waste wind turbine blades. Future work could focus on optimizing particle size, improving the energy efficiency of polymer removal. Academic and industrial researchers can build on these insights to enhance the material's performance and cost-effectiveness. 4. Sustainable Infrastructure Projects - Governments and construction companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint could integrate recycled GFRP powder into pilot projects for sustainable infrastructure. Demonstrating its viability in real-world applications would provide valuable data on performance, durability, and long-term benefits. 5. Circular Economy Initiatives - The research aligns with the principles of circular economy by finding value in waste materials. Wind energy companies and recycling industries could collaborate to establish closed-loop systems where decommissioned turbine blades are systematically processed into usable construction materials, reducing landfill waste and promoting resource efficiency. By laying the scientific groundwork for recycling wind turbine blades into concrete, this research has the potential to influence industry practices, inform policy decisions, and drive further innovation in sustainable materials. With continued collaboration between academia, industry, and government, these outcomes could lead to a scalable, economically viable solution that benefits the wind energy, environment and the construction sector. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Communities and Social Services/Policy Construction Education Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Transport |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | B&M Longworth |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | Balfour Beatty |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | Cemex plc |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | Costain Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | LM Wind Power |
| Country | Denmark |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | Mott Macdonald UK Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Industrial partners supporting this FLF fellowship |
| Organisation | National Composites Centre (NCC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | This research strategically aligns with the UK Industrial Grand Challenges of Clean Growth. I have engaged with 9 industrial partners representing broad industrial sectors who will receive benefits. The wind energy industry (LM Wind Power and Gurit) will be able to establish the first supply chain in the UK to recycle the waste blades, achieving an ambitious goal to generate zero waste wind power by 2030. Construction industry in the UK (Mott Macdonald, Costain, Balfour Beatty) will be using WINDCRETE to decarbonise infrastructures to achieve Net Zero. Concrete and composite producers (Cemex and Gurit) will enhance their economic competitiveness by introducing new low carbon products to the market. Waste management industry (Longworth) will be able to identify key perspectives to improve the recycling capability. Composites trade association and innovator (Composites UK and National Composites Centre) will be able to inform the policymakers of the short-term and long-term solutions to recycle waste blades. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Longworth: technical support, assistance with life cycle analysis, attending committee meetings. Cemex: attending committee meetings, design specification, materials supply, technical support, results dissemination. Costain: design specification, demonstration in construction projects, attending committee meetings, training opportunities, results dissemination. NCC: attending committee meetings, access to internal reports and industrial data, life cycle analysis, results dissemination. LM Windpower: raw materials supply, access to waste wind blades, attending committee meeting, sharing technical data, demonstration opportunities, promoting research. Balfour Beatty: design specification, access to construction sites, attending committee meeting, training opportunities, access to relevant internal reports and industrial data, Composites UK:opportunities for engineering demonstration. Mott Macdonald: demonstration through infrastructure projects, attending project meetings. Gurit: around composite material construction, supply of raw materials, access to composite production facilities, training facilities, support with formulation and scale-up of developed cement formulations, share industry contacts, helping the start-up scale in technical readiness level and production capacity. |
| Impact | The first Advisory Committee meeting was successfully held on 29 October 2024, bringing together key academic and industry stakeholders to discuss the progress and future direction of the project. During the meeting, I presented the research plan, outlining the objectives, methodology, and anticipated impact, as well as an overview of the research progress achieved to date. The Industrial Advisory Committee provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, offering insights on how the research aligns with industry needs and suggesting key areas for further exploration. Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project, ensuring that our findings contribute meaningfully to both academic advancements and practical applications. This meeting marked an important milestone in fostering collaboration between academia and industry, reinforcing the commitment to driving innovation and maximizing the real-world impact of our research. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Future Energy Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I was honored to be invited to give a talk at the Future Energy Lab Festival at Imperial College London, where I presented our UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF) project on recycling waste wind turbine blades. This event provided an excellent platform for public engagement, allowing me to share insights into our research and raise awareness of the urgent need for sustainable solutions in composite recycling. The talk sparked significant interest and discussion, with the audience asking many insightful questions about the technical aspects, real-world applications, and policy implications of our work. This strong engagement demonstrated the growing awareness and enthusiasm for circular economy solutions and the role of advanced materials in achieving Net Zero goals. Beyond raising public awareness, the event also had a direct impact on students and early-career researchers. Several research students approached me with questions about potential career opportunities in sustainability and recycling, highlighting the increasing demand for expertise in this field. By discussing the evolving job market and industry needs, I was able to offer guidance and inspiration to the next generation of scientists and engineers looking to make an impact in sustainable materials research. This experience reinforced the importance of public engagement in research, not only for knowledge dissemination but also for inspiring future talent and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. By actively engaging with the public, we can bridge the gap between research and society, ensuring that our innovations have a broader impact beyond academia. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |
| Description | Imperial Lates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I had the opportunity to participate in Imperial Lates, where I presented our research on recycling waste wind turbine blades to a diverse public audience. This event was a fantastic platform for engaging directly with the public, sharing insights into circular economy solutions, and discussing the future of sustainable materials. To make the research more accessible and interactive, I showcased physical material samples, allowing attendees to see and touch recycled composite materials firsthand. I engaged in one-on-one discussions, answering a wide range of questions about the recycling process, material properties, and real-world applications. The event also provided a valuable space to challenge misconceptions, inspire curiosity, and highlight the environmental impact of waste turbine blades. Beyond public education, Imperial Lates was an excellent opportunity for two-way engagement. Many attendees-including students, professionals, and sustainability advocates-expressed strong interest in the field of material recycling and shared their perspectives on potential applications. These conversations offered valuable insights into public perceptions of sustainability, helping to refine how we communicate and position our research for broader impact. Overall, my participation in Imperial Lates reinforced the importance of bridging research and public awareness, ensuring that scientific advancements in recycling and sustainability are both understood and embraced by wider society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | The Great Exhibition Road Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As part of The Great Exhibition Road Festival, we had the privilege of being among the few researchers selected to showcase our work, presenting our research on recycling waste wind turbine blades to a diverse public audience. This event provided a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge sustainability research and public awareness, fostering meaningful discussions on environmental challenges and innovative solutions. To make our research engaging and accessible, we prepared material samples for hands-on demonstration, allowing attendees to interact directly with recycled composite materials and understand their potential applications. We actively communicated with the public, answering questions, sparking curiosity, and inspiring interest in sustainability. By discussing our research in an open and interactive setting, we not only promoted our work but also raised awareness about the environmental impact of wind turbine waste and the importance of circular economy solutions. Beyond engaging with the public, this event also provided valuable insights that shaped our research direction. The questions and discussions with attendees highlighted new perspectives and potential challenges, inspiring us to explore additional research areas related to improving the recyclability and usability of waste blades. This two-way exchange reinforced the significance of public engagement in advancing scientific discovery and aligning research with real-world needs. As part of our outreach efforts, we also collaborated with an artist to create a 2-meter square painting illustrating the transformation of waste blades into valuable, sustainable materials. This artwork, displayed on campus, served as a visual representation of our research and an engaging way to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broader audience. By merging science and art, we enhanced public engagement and encouraged deeper conversations about the role of innovation in sustainability. Our participation in this festival highlights our commitment to engaging with the wider community, promoting research impact, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Through this initiative, we not only shared our findings but also gained new perspectives, fostered creativity, and strengthened the public's connection to sustainability research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024,2025 |