GAIKER researches new solutions to boost the circular economy in renewable energies
The CICLO Transmissions project focuses on developing technological solutions for recycling and recovering composite materials used in the construction of wind turbines.
Currently, 83% of the materials that make up a wind turbine can be recycled or reused. However, the blades present a significant challenge due to their heterogeneous composition and because they contain materials that are difficult to treat and separate adequately in conventional recycling processes. To provide a solution to this challenge, the CICLO project (2025-2028) has been launched, involving eight companies and six research centres, including the GAIKER Technology Centre, coordinator of the AEI consortium.
The main objective of this project is to research new technological solutions to promote the circular economy in the field of renewable energy, specifically in the recycling and recovery of wind turbine blades and other composite components used in the construction of wind turbines, such as nacelles, electrical cabinets, etc., at the end of their life cycle. In addition, research will be carried out aimed at developing alternative materials to the current ones that are more easily recyclable, from recyclable polymer matrices.
The aim of this project is to optimise the recovery of fibres and by-products from thermal and chemical recycling, with the goal of ensuring that at least 90% of the recycled fibre is recoverable and that the efficiency of the recovery of by-products from recycling exceeds 75%. It also seeks to reduce the formation of organic pollutants in thermal processes by 50% and improve the enzymatic degradation of epoxy resin, polyester and polyurethane. These advances will strengthen the sustainability and efficiency of composite material recycling and promote the creation of second-generation structural materials with 100% recycled content, integrating high percentages of recycled fibres.
