The TADEO project aims to address the growing challenge of dismantling wind turbines in Europe. By 2030, it is estimated that around 5,700 wind turbines will need to be decommissioned each year across the continent. While most structural components can be recycled, wind turbine blades—made of materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber, and polymer resins—pose a significant challenge for reuse.
TADEO is a strategic industrial research project that plays a key role in moving toward a zero-waste future. We are grateful for the support provided by funding initiatives such as HAZITEK 2022, a programme for business R&D promoted by the Basque Government’s Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment.
An Environmental Challenge
Today, most wind turbine blades end up in landfills, causing a significant environmental impact. Aware of this issue, the wind energy industry has called for a Europe-wide landfill ban by 2025.
Project Objectives
- Reduce the environmental impact of waste generated by wind power.
- Digitize the recycling and waste treatment sector.
- Optimize recycling processes for composite materials.
- Valorize and identify potential applications for recycled materials—including thermoplastic polymers and cement-based materials—across different industries.
A Promising Future for Wind Turbine Blade Recycling
The growing demand for clean energy, combined with rapid advances in the industry, points to a promising future for recycling technologies.
SBS’s Contribution
SBS brings valuable expertise to the project through its work on wind turbine blade recycling via pyrolysis—a process capable of recovering glass and carbon fibers, allowing them to be reintroduced into the value chain.
We will collaborate with Lezama Demoliciones, Belako Lanak, Saitek, Ogerko, and Ergoa on the technological development of recycling solutions for wind turbine blades, enabling their reintegration into circular production models.
Join us on this journey toward a sustainable future.