Enva has launched a wind turbine recycling service that crushes and shreds decommissioned turbine blades to enable the recovery of recyclable materials, such as steel.
Enva, a UK and Ireland recycling and resource recovery company, says the residual material generated from the service is used as a replacement for traditional fossil fuels in EfW (energy from waste) facilities and the manufacture of cement. The launch follows a successful trial at Enva’s facility in Ayrshire.
To aid processing and transportation, specialist equipment is used to cut down the blades into three 50-metre lengths before they are delivered to Enva’s recycling facility.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Wind Sector and other energy companies to help them realise these benefits.
Michelle Scott, Operations Director, Enva, commented: “Enva is committed to bringing at least one new recycling process to market every year and the opening of our wind turbine blade recycling facility is another tangible example of this innovation and investment.
“The increased use of alternative energy sources will result in new waste streams which will each require managing in a way that enables us to unlock their circular economy and commercial value. We look forward to continuing to work with the Wind Sector and other energy companies to help them realise these benefits.”
Enva estimates that around 14,000 wind turbine blades will be decommissioned across Europe by 2023. Wind turbine blades are also more challenging to recycle due to the composite materials used in their production.