Kemroc’s key role in rotor blade recycling

By Steve Ducker01 March 2021

In the years ahead, thousands of wind turbines across Germany will need to be dismantled and many will be replaced with newer, better alternatives.

Recycling specialist Eurecum has developed a process for pre- and post-shredding of rotor blades that recycles residual material.

Cat MH3024 material handler and Kemroc KDS 50 diamond saw Cat MH3024 material handler and Kemroc KDS 50 diamond saw in operation at Eurecum in Germany (photo courtesy Kemroc)

The company, based in Saxony-Anhalt, cuts the rotor blades up on site, from where the material is transported to a recycling centre and shredded into industrially valuable GRP (glass reinforced plastic) granulate.

In 2020, Eurecum took possession of a 24 t Cat MH3024 material handler supplied by Zeppelin Baumaschinen. The machine was delivered with a hydraulically driven Kemroc KDS 50 diamond saw with rated output power of 135 kW and a 1,200 mm (47 in) diameter diamond cutting wheel.

The KDS range is designed to cut concrete, steel, reinforced concrete, natural stone, aluminium as well as GRP. Kemroc said that in practice, in one day an operator with this combination of material handler and diamond saw can cut three 40 m (131 ft) long rotor blades of a typical 20 MW turbine, each weighing around 8 t, in lengths suitable for transportation. Actual cutting time is around five hours.

By cutting GRP rotor blades into three or four relatively large sections on site, the environmental impact of recycling is said to be kept to a minimum.

“With our new recycling concept, we can shred rotor blades in a highly efficient manner and produce material that can be reused which adds value to the recycled product,” said Eurecum managing director Alexander von Neuhoff.

“Our timing is perfect and with the planned shutdown or repowering of plants, we expect to be recycling between 2,000 to 3,000 t per year.”

Demolition & Recycling International Buyers Guide For more details about this and other demolition and recycling equipment go to the new D&Ri Buyers Guide website.
MAGAZINE
NEWSLETTER
Delivered directly to your inbox, Demolition & Recycling International Newsletter features the pick of the breaking news stories, product launches, show reports and more from KHL's world-class editorial team.
Latest News
Construction equipment bodies respond to UK’s net zero shift
Association bosses say ‘softer package’ sends wrong message to the industry
Four weeks until World Demolition Summit
Industry’s leading event to take place 17-18 October in Canada
New service to ‘extend the life’ of buildings
New service from Keltbray to help sector extend the life or re-use of existing buildings and structures
CONNECT WITH THE TEAM
Leila Steed Editor, Demolition & Recycling International Tel: +44(0) 1892 786 261 E-mail: leila.steed@khl.com
Simon Kelly Sales Manager Tel: +44 (0) 1892 786 223 E-mail: simon.kelly@khl.com
CONNECT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA