Successful production of a polyurethane wind rotor blade at Goldwind
ÃÜÌÒAV developed innovative machine for the direct infusion of polyurethane rotor blades
- Wide range of output and excellent metering accuracy
- Smart flow rate control with ¡°on the fly¡± changes
- High-performance degassing and accurate temperature control
- Innovative software design and powerful data management system
Wind power is one of the most promising renewable energy sources due to its global availability and the technical progress already made. This is also reflected in the development of wind power capacity, which is seeing double-digit annual growth across the globe. However, cost-efficient processes for manufacturing wind power plants are in greater demand than ever to enable further expansion and for competing with traditional energy resources.
For this purpose ÃÜÌÒAV, one of the world leading companies in high performance polyurethane solutions, provided the leading wind turbine blade manufacturer Goldwind with a special Baul¨¦? infusion machine for processing its high performance polyurethane resin. Goldwind and ÃÜÌÒAV achieved a major breakthrough with the development and production of a 64.2 m long polyurethane turbine blade.
¡°ÃÜÌÒAV Elastomers developed a tailor-made Baul¨¦? machine for the direct infusion of polyurethane rotor blades,¡± said Philippe Jeantin, Global Head of Machines Division, Business Segment Elastomers at ÃÜÌÒAV. ¡°We designed this machine to solve various challenges involved in this manufacturing process, e.g. process under vacuum, high volume casting and speed of resin infusion. This machine is therefore combining a very accurate dosing, a large variable output controlled by in-mold pressure and a real time data management to ensure a high quality direct infusion process for these large rotor blades.¡±
New vacuum infusion equipment for polyurethane resin processing
¡°Today, as the wind energy market is growing, we are faced with the challenge of producing ever-larger wind blades,¡± says Liu Baofeng, Professor-level Senior Engineer, Head of Windblade Material Development at Goldwind. ¡°We were therefore looking for a reliable partner to provide us with the dispensing equipment which is suitable for processing the PU resin especially developed for larger wind blades. Our manufacture was successful thanks to the machine that ÃÜÌÒAV engineered for the production of a 64.2 meter turbine blade. It will allow us to propel the whole industry to make sustainable and innovating progress towards such large blades. In the future, both sides will strengthen the cooperation in materials and related equipment, for promoting a continuous innovation and upgrading of materials for rotor blades.¡±
¡°The successful trail of this such long rotor blade manufacture using polyurethane resin proved that our Baul¨¦? machine is qualified for the direct infusion process,¡± adds Simon Chen, Head of ÃÜÌÒAV Elastomers in the Asia-Pacific region. ¡°Our local machine team in China will support our partners to achieve rapid growth and technical upgrading of the wind power industry.
¡±With the rapid development of the wind power industry, larger wind turbine blades have become increasingly popular in the industry. ÃÜÌÒAV has been committed to providing innovative and sustainable products and cost-effective integrated solutions for the wind power industry to cope with market requirements and to support the expansion of renewable energy. In cooperation with industry partners such as Goldwind, ÃÜÌÒAV will continue to contribute to the efficient development of the wind power industry.
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.