EOLIAN has reached a strategic milestone in sustainable composites by successfully infusing novel bio-based vitrimer resins with basalt fibre reinforcement to produce high-quality composite laminates compatible with current wind turbine blade manufacturing methods. This achievement validates the use of vitrimer matrices, engineered for repairability, reprocessability and recyclability, in a liquid infusion process traditionally used for large-scale composite structures.
Marco Monti of Proplast, EOLIAN project coordinator, noted that the fibre reinforced composites currently used in wind turbine blades are not easy to recycle, and that the manufacture of bio-based vitrimer composites using infusion is extremely challenging.
Vitrimer Composites — A More Sustainable Alternative
EOLIAN is developing a new generation of composite materials combining a bio-based vitrimer matrix with natural basalt fibre reinforcement. EOLIAN partner Tekniker is leading the synthesis of imine-based vitrimers using sustainable building blocks such as vanillin and epoxidised vegetable oils. EOLIAN has successfully developed vitrimers with a bio-based content of 60% which demonstrate key vitrimer properties such as reprocessability and repairability. Proplast and the Polymer Engineering Lab (PolyEngLab) at Politecnico di Milano have successfully manufactured high-quality basalt fibre reinforced laminates at moderate temperatures (room temperature up to 80°C) with optimised fibre volume fraction and low void content.
Cristina Monteserin, Researcher, Tekniker: The work being carried out within EOLIAN represents a significant step forward in the development of high-performance, eco-friendly vitrimer composites.
Marco L. Longana, Associate Professor, Politecnico di Milano: By participating in EOLIAN, PolyEngLab is pushing the boundaries of sustainable polymer composites, ensuring that future wind turbine blades are more durable, repairable, and recyclable.
Next Steps
In parallel with materials development, EOLIAN is developing a structural health monitoring system to embed erosion and ice detection sensors into the composite material. Norvento Enerxa is preparing to manufacture the EOLIAN prototype sensor-assisted vitrimer composite blade for benchmarking against a traditional glass fibre epoxy composite blade. A detailed LCOE and life cycle assessment (LCA) will be performed.
Source: eolian-project.eu
