POLYKEY leads the new generation of circular materials for the wind industry with the ZefInnov project, backed by €1 million in funding

Polykey consolidates its position as a leading technology company in sustainable materials with the launch of the ZefInnov project, an initiative aimed at transforming the coatings applied to wind turbine blades. The project has received €1 million in funding under the RENOCICLA programme of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving, as part of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – NextGenerationEU.

ZefInnov aims to develop bio-based and circular coatings that increase the durability of wind turbine blades and facilitate their integration into a more sustainable life cycle. The technological basis is based on one of the three technologies patented by Polykey, dedicated to obtaining bio-based materials with less dependence on fossil resources and performance adaptable to today’s industry.

The implementation of ZefInnov will enable new hires and expand Polykey’s technical and scientific team, as well as strengthen its production capacity through the expansion of facilities planned for 2027. At the same time, the project will have a significant impact on the region, consolidating Gipuzkoa as a benchmark in materials innovation and energy transition, thanks to collaboration with institutions such as the University of the Basque Country, POLYMAT, CIDETEC Surface Engineering, Biomagune and the AIMPLAS Plastics Technology Centre.

Polykey Polymers was founded in 2020 by Coralie Jehanno and Andere Basterretxea, PhDs in polymer chemistry, Haritz Sardon, professor at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), and David Mecerreyes, director of BERC-POLYMAT. The company is led by Andere Basterretxea as Managing Director and Coralie Jehanno as Scientific Director, who head a multidisciplinary team of seven professionals with a solid scientific background and industrial focus. The company is currently present in the market and generates revenue through the sale of its own products, consolidating its commercial position. The company focuses its activity on three strategic lines: production of bio-based materials, development of chemical recycling technologies and development of innovative materials for energy storage and bioelectronics. In addition, it is part of the GK Recycling cluster and, beyond its industrial exploitation strategy, participates in numerous European and international projects, reinforcing its presence and collaboration in the field of sustainable materials. As part of its growth plan, the company aims to expand into international markets and consolidate its presence in global environments.