Mechanical recycling of GFRP wind turbine blades: Evaluating the sustainability and economic potential of recycled fibers
Costantino Menna, Luigi De Simone, Vittorio Capozzi
Abstract
The significant development of wind energy over the past two decades has raised concerns regarding the End-of-Life (EoL) management of wind turbine blades, primarily composed of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP). This study investigates the mechanical recycling of GFRP from decommissioned blades and evaluates the reuse of recovered fibers in fiber-reinforced mortar and concrete. Mechanical testing showed tensile and compressive strength improvements of up to 13 % and 3 % in concrete, and up to 16 % and 17 % in mortar, with optimal performance at 2–2.5 % fiber content and 1–2 mm diameter. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) revealed that added fibers contribute less than 4 % to total environmental impact. On-site recycling exhibited lower impacts in 6 of 8 indicators analyzed, primarily due to renewable energy use. Economically, mechanical recycling can become competitive with landfilling when applied at scale under optimized conditions. Results support this method as a viable EoL strategy aligned with circular economy objectives.