Recovering glass fibers from waste wind turbine blades: Recycling methods, fiber properties, and potential utilization

As the global demand for wind power continues to increase, there is growing concern about the disposal of waste wind turbine blades, which are predominantly composed of glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in the recovery of glass fibers from waste wind turbines, examining various recycling techniques including mechanical recycling, pyrolysis, combustion, and chemical solvolysis. Additionally, the review assesses the impact of each technique on the properties of the recovered glass fibers and explores potential secondary applications for these fibers. Notably, the review emphasizes the significant impact of recycling methods on the characteristics of recovered glass fibers and establishes meaningful connections among recycling approaches, fiber properties, and potential applications. Furthermore, the review offers insights into future research directions and technological advancements needed to address current challenges in this field. The objective of this review is to advance knowledge and technology for addressing waste wind turbine blades and promoting the sustainable utilization of recovered glass fibers.