Making wind turbines circular

- This is tangible proof that full circularity for wind energy is possible. We have now moved from laboratory testing to a real component that demonstrates how recycled fibers can be used in new wind blades, says Marcin Rusin, CEO of Gjenkraft AS.

The company Gjenkraft develops and operates technology for recycling composite waste, with a primary focus on wind turbine blades. Gjenkraft AS recently completed a capital raise that lays the foundation for the commercial operation of the company’s first industrial-scale recycling plant, located in Høyanger. With an annual production capacity of 2,800 tonnes the plant will become the first in the world to commercially recycle wind turbine blades at an industrial scale. The company’s patent-pending pyrolysis process makes it possible to recycle nearly 100% of the materials into new raw materials, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the need for virgin material extraction.

Collaboration across boarders

The blade is an outcome of a collaboration by the Irish company ÉireComposites, from a non-woven mat made from pyrolyzed glass fibers recovered from Gjenkraft’s patent-pending pyrolysis process developed in Høyanger.

The parties have been collaborating through the European REFRESH project, funded by the EU Horizon Europe program.

- It demonstrates the power of European collaboration – where technology, innovation, and sustainability truly come together, says Arvid Lønne, Chairman of the Board at Gjenkraft.

The REFRESH project brings together eleven partners to develop and demonstrate new solutions for recycling and reusing composite materials from wind turbine blades. Gjenkraft’s role is to provide its technology, which enables almost 100% recovery of blade materials – including glass and carbon fibers, oil and gas – turning waste into valuable raw materials

Industrial circular shift

Lønne thinks the product is a breakthrough for the whole industry.

- The fact that materials from end-of-life wind turbines are now being reused in new blades shows that the industry is shifting from linear to circular production. This is a milestone for both Gjenkraft and the entire wind energy industry, concludes Mr. Lønne.

By hermo-chemical operations Gjenkraft convert discarded wind turbine blades into a diverse range of raw materials. Another product from Gjenkraft is alpine skis, made from composite waste that is turned ito top-notch glass and carbon fibres.

The company is located in the small idustrial village, a HUB in Grøn region Vestland. Høyanger has managed their industrial heritage and turned it into the next generation of industry.

The facility in Høyanger will be the company’s first commercial production plant and will create new jobs in the region. At the same time, we are positioning ourselves for further expansion in Europe, with the goal of establishing several plants and reaching a total capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year by 2035.

Høyanger is a demonstration of what industrial transformation can look like — for rural and fjord communities — where geography, natural resources and historical strengths can be retooled for sustainability, not just continuity. Reach out to our advisor if you want to learn more of this site!