7 February 2025
Developing Sustainable Recycling of Glass Fibre Composites
Luleå University of Technology is a key player in an international research project aimed at developing circular solutions for recycling glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), a composite material used in wind turbines, boats, and vehicles. By recycling and reusing the material, both environmental impact and resource consumption can be reduced.
The increasing use of GFRP has led to major challenges when products reach the end of their lifespan. A single wind turbine can generate up to 55 tons of GFRP waste, and in many countries, effective recycling solutions are lacking. By establishing a transnational value chain for recycling, the project aims to create sustainable and economically viable solutions.
"We want to create a circular process where glass fibre and resin can be recycled and reused in new products. This reduces the need to extract new raw materials and significantly decreases waste," says Roberts Joffe, professor of Polymeric Composite Materials at Luleå University of Technology.
From Waste to Resource
The project, called Glass Fibre Composite Recycling for Sustainable Future, will test several recycling methods, with a particular focus on adapting existing infrastructure for the collection and handling of GFRP waste. One approach is to use the material in cement production, while another is based on solvolysis – a chemical process that enables the recycling of both glass fibre and resin for new production.
"By combining different technologies and collaborating with industry, we can find practical and scalable solutions for managing GFRP waste," says Joffe.
Roberts Joffe, professor of Polymeric Composite Materials at Luleå University of Technology.
International Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
The project is carried out in collaboration with universities, companies, and organizations from six countries around the Baltic Sea. By leveraging experiences from Finland and Denmark, which have already developed recycling methods, the work can be accelerated and scaled up. The results will be compiled into a handbook with guidelines and best practices for the wind power, waste, cement, and composite industries, as well as for policymakers.
The project is funded by the EU's Interreg Baltic Sea Region program (2025–2027) and aims to establish a long-term and sustainable recycling model for GFRP.
"Establishing circular value chains requires collaboration between research, industry, and authorities. By coordinating efforts across the entire Baltic Sea region, we can create solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable," concludes Joffe.
Project Lead Partner: Centria University of Applied Sciences Oy (Finland)
Project Partners: Finnish Plastics Industries Federation (Finland), Lithuanian Energy Agency (Lithuania), Waste Management Association of Latvia (Latvia), State Environmental Service of the Republic of Latvia (Latvia), Muovipoli Ltd (Finland), Riga Technical University (Latvia), Aarhus University (Denmark), Luleå University of Technology (Sweden), Podcomp AB (Sweden), Noma Resins Ltd (Poland), Lithuanian Wind Power Association (Lithuania)
Contact
Roberts Joffe
- Professor and Head of Subject
- 0920-491940
- roberts.joffe@ltu.se
- Roberts Joffe
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