Arkema wins the 2020 Pierre Potier Prize for its Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin for wind turbines

The production of wind energy, both on shore and off shore, is expected to play a major role in the transition towards low-carbon energies. Yet, in this market which counts annual growth of 12 to 15%, tens of thousands of blades are produced around the world every year. These blades use composites based on thermoset resins, which are very difficult to recycle and are therefore most often buried or incinerated at the end of their life cycle, with a significant environmental impact.

Developed in Arkema’s research centre in Lacq (64), Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin is the first ever resin that enables the manufacture of fully recyclable wind turbine blades – a true breakthrough innovation. Recycling, whether mechanical or chemical, is a considerable asset in the life cycle of wind turbines. The parts are first ground and then heated to depolymerise the resin so that it can be separated from the fibre filler. After purification and reformulation, a new liquid thermoplastic resin is obtained with the same characteristics as the virgin resin.

Beyond the wind power market, Elium® resin enables the production of a wide variety of fibreglass or carbon-fibre-composite thermoplastic parts of all sizes and with complex shapes. Its economic benefit comes from two major characteristics: its ease of implementation with short hardening times at room temperature and its compatibility with the numerous technologies for processing existing thermosetting resins, thus limiting investments for fabricators already equipped with these machines and opening up a vast range of developments in many sectors such as transportation, construction and the boating industry.

More information: Arkema wins the 2020 Pierre Potier Prize for its Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin for wind turbines