Thousands of wind turbine blades will reach the end of their useful life in the coming years. The fiberglass in the blades is difficult to recycle and often ends up as waste. At the same time, the construction industry is seeking new materials that can reduce its carbon footprint and decrease the need for new raw materials.
Recycled Wind Turbines for 3D-Printed Homes is an innovation project aimed at developing a circular value chain in which fiberglass from end-of-life wind turbine blades is transformed into a recycled raw material for 3D-printed residential structures. The project aims to document how the material can be processed, used, and integrated into a stable supply chain for future construction.
From Wind Turbine Blades to Building Materials
The project is developing and testing a composite in which recycled fiberglass is incorporated into an existing polyamide-based material blend. Through a series of test prints, the material’s properties are being investigated, while the mechanical processing is continuously optimized.
At the same time, the material’s fire properties, among other things, are being evaluated. The goal is to establish a documented basis for how glass fiber from end-of-life wind turbines can be used in 3D-printed structures.
A New Circular Value Chain
The project is not just about developing a new material. A significant part of the work involves mapping waste streams, suppliers, and logistics for glass fiber from decommissioned wind turbines.
The goal is to investigate how fiberglass can be collected, processed, and supplied as a stable and traceable raw material for 3D-printed construction. The project will thus lay the foundation for a circular value chain in which a waste product can be incorporated into new building materials.
Development and testing based at Risø
The project is being carried out by WOHN A/S in collaboration with A.V. Pehrsson ApS, DTU Wind, and the Danish Technological Institute.
WOHN is developing and demonstrating the use of the material in 3D-printed structures, while A.V. Pehrsson is working on the processing and incorporation of the fiberglass into the material mixture. DTU Wind contributes expertise in wind turbine blades, composite materials, and decommissioning, while the Danish Technological Institute supports the development and technical validation of the material.
The project will conclude with a 3D-printed prototype that demonstrates the use of the recycled glass fiber and serves as the basis for further work on documentation and life-cycle assessment. The collaboration with DTU Wind at Risø provides access to research expertise that is central to the project’s development.
Part of the Risø SME Innovation Platform
The project is one of 15 innovation projects within the Risø SME Innovation Platform, where companies and research institutions collaborate to develop and demonstrate new green technologies. The platform provides companies with access to research expertise, testing facilities, and strong innovation partnerships based at Risø.
Explore the other projects on the innovation platform
- PFASOL – PFAS in solar power plants – mapping and documentation of PFAS in solar power plants.
- OmniPFAS – flexible solutions for removing PFAS from various types of water.
- KhaosGuard – continuous monitoring of nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
- RisøLith – 3D printing at the nanoscale at low temperatures.
- Circular solar-powered lighting – off-grid lighting with a focus on circularity and dark-sky principles.
- Heat-driven water-based cooling technology – utilization of excess heat for energy-efficient cooling.
- Reliable water supply – mobile solutions for producing safe drinking water.
- Searine M360 – electric propulsion system for small boats.
- Chemical plastic recycling – conversion of plastic waste into methanol.
- NanoShield – UV and nanotechnology that inhibits bacterial and algal growth on metal surfaces.
- Lab2Land – Greenlandic rock flour for carbon sequestration and soil improvement.
- 3D printing for flood protection – nature-based barriers printed directly into the landscape.
- Recycled Wind Turbines for 3D-Printed Homes – fiberglass from end-of-life wind turbines as a building material.
- Circular Plastic without Permanence – biodegradable plastic made from brewery waste.
- Circular Battery Design – battery systems designed for disassembly, repair, and reuse.
The project is part of the Risø SME Innovation Platform, which was developed as a coordinated initiative under the Investment Support Scheme for Green Innovative Technologies and is administered by Clean. The initiative is funded by REACT-EU funds administered by the Danish Board of Business Development
