Adapted by:
Alba Otero
Writer“Observe, listen, and reflect” is my journalistic mantra. This philosophy guides me daily and ensures I produce quality journalism. My restlessness has led me explore new areas, such as sustainability and the energy transition, which are crucial to our future. In addition, I’ve also dabbled in street photography, an art that allows me to capture the essence of journalism in action.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Everything has a lifespan, even renewable energy materials. First, it was solar panels, which now have dedicated recycling centers. Then came wind turbine blades, which have found second lives as structures ranging from mini-homes to gummy bears. But until now, no company had taken the bold step of redesigning them from scratch using entirely recyclable materials.
A 100% recyclable solution. The German company Voodin Blade Technology has developed the first wind turbine blades made of laminated wood, offering a fully recyclable alternative to traditional carbon fiber, fiberglass, and epoxy resin. Surprisingly, these wooden blades also provide greater fire resistance and a stiffness-to-weight ratio comparable to fiberglass, allowing them to withstand all weather conditions.
By 2026, Voodin Blade Technology will partner with India’s Senvion to install 164-foot wooden blades on 4.2 megawatt turbines. Testing will take place in Europe between late 2025 and early 2027.
Addressing a growing waste problem. The wind industry faces a major sustainability challenge: what to do with decommissioned turbine blades? Unlike solar panels, which now have recycling systems, most wind blades are difficult to repurpose. This concern led Voodin Blade Technology to investigate alternatives, eventually leading to laminated wood.
A University of Cambridge study projects that 43 million tons of wind blade waste will accumulate worldwide by 2050 due to the difficulty of recycling conventional materials. Wooden blades offer a promising alternative by reducing landfill waste and lowering the environmental impact of manufacturing.
The manufacturing process. Laminated wood is created by pressing and layering thin wooden panels to form a strong and durable material. Already widely used in skyscraper construction, laminated wood has proven to be a reliable and sustainable structural component.
Laminated wood allows for greater design flexibility, enabling the creation of longer blades and taller towers that maximize turbine efficiency by capturing stronger wind currents. This innovation offers a more sustainable alternative while also lowering production costs. Unlike traditional manufacturing, it eliminates the need for molds, streamlining the process and making it more cost-effective. The German company told Recharge that wooden blades can be up to 20% cheaper than traditional ones.
Fire resistance: an unexpected benefit. One of the most surprising advantages of laminated wood is its fire resistance. Unlike fiberglass and carbon fiber, which can release toxic gases and decompose rapidly when exposed to high temperatures, laminated wood has natural self-extinguishing properties. This means it burns slower and is less likely to spread flames in the event of a fire.
Other wind blade recycling innovations. While Voodin Blade Technology is pioneering recyclable wooden blades, other companies are also making strides in recycling traditional materials. The Danish company Vestas has developed a chemical process to break down epoxy resins, allowing for blade materials to be reused instead of being discarded.
The future of wooden blades. Voodin Blade Technology gained attention last year after successfully installing 63-foot wooden blades in Germany. Now, the company aims to surpass that milestone with 164-foot blades, the longest wooden turbine blades ever made.
However, China remains the leader in large-scale wind infrastructure. The country recently installed a Qihang wind turbine with a 495-foot tower and an 853-foot rotor diameter—with blades nearly 426 feet long (not made of laminated wood). Discussing the race for larger wind turbines could be a topic of its own. However, none has surpassed the typhoon-proof turbine with a blade diameter of 1,017 feet.
If testing proves successful, laminated wood blades could revolutionize the wind energy sector, reducing costs, environmental impact, and production complexity. This innovation marks a significant step toward a more sustainable future for wind power.
Image | Jason Mavrommatis (Unsplash)
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