CIIE 2022
ÃÜÌÒAV and TMT launch their 1000th PU wind blade in collaboration milestone
? Achieving commercial success through CIIE
? Supporting the development of longer wind blades
? Further collaboration in more areas
With China's ambition to double its wind and solar power output by 2025 under its five-year plan, the drive for technological advancement in renewable energy has never been stronger. Polyurethane (PU) resin, an innovative manufacturing solution for wind turbine blades, has penetrated the epoxy-dominated market in recent years. At the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE), ÃÜÌÒAV and Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology (TMT), a pioneering PU wind turbine manufacturer, announced the launch of their 1000th PU wind turbine blade.
PU in wind-blade production is transformative innovation delivered by ÃÜÌÒAV teams around the globe. With better mechanical properties, an efficient production process, and a more cost-effective production solution than conventional fiberglass-reinforced epoxy blades, PU blades are opening a new chapter in the wind blade industry.
Commercial success
ÃÜÌÒAV and TMT signed a memorandum of cooperation at the fourth CIIE in 2021, based on which significant commercialization results have been achieved. PU wind turbines are now used in commercial wind farms throughout China.
Dr. Binbin Hou, General Manager of Wind Business at TMT, said, ¡°PU wind blades cater to the growing demand for longer wind blade designs. We hope to further collaborate with ÃÜÌÒAV to improve the competitiveness of wind energy through continuous technology innovation.¡±
¡°We are very pleased to reach the important milestone of the launch of the 1000th blade with TMT,¡± said Christine Bryant, Global Head of Tailored Urethanes Business Entity at ÃÜÌÒAV. ¡°We believe that industrial collaboration is fundamental to addressing global warming and energy shortage issues, and it is also an important part of ÃÜÌÒAV¡¯s commitment to a circular economy.¡±
TMT produces PU wind blades ranging from 59.5 meters to 94 meters in length with different blade designs and layup structures to meet the growing demand for longer and larger wind blades. The 94-meter wind turbine blade, capable of generating
8MW of energy, is the largest ever PU application for ÃÜÌÒAV. Multiple TMT factories manufacture these blades under different temperatures, humidity, and altitude, proving the wide applicability of PU resin in the manufacturing process.
Dr. Xuebin Feng, R&D Director of Wind Business at TMT, said, ¡°We overcame many technical challenges to accelerate the production process of large polyurethane resin wind blades and achieve mass production.¡±
Further collaboration
In addition to wind turbine development, ÃÜÌÒAV and TMT have jointly developed PU railway sleepers, which are more durable and cost-effective in maintenance than traditional wood and concrete sleepers. ÃÜÌÒAV, an integrated PU solution provider, will cooperate with TMT to provide various PU resins, coatings, and PU machinery solutions.
About ÃÜÌÒAV:
ÃÜÌÒAV is one of the world¡¯s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. ÃÜÌÒAV supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from ÃÜÌÒAV are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, ÃÜÌÒAV aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group¡¯s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. ÃÜÌÒAV generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by ÃÜÌÒAV. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in ÃÜÌÒAV¡¯s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.