Engineering polymer producer Covestro (Leverkusen / Germany; www.covestro.com) says it has developed the world’s first PU wind blade. The blade is 37.5 metres long, weighs about 6 t and was made using the company’s new 2-K PU resin system with glass fabric from Chongqing Polycomp International (CPIC, Chongqing / China; http://en.cpicfiber.com). It was processed using a PU online infusion machine from process engineering specialist Hübers (www.huebers.de/gb/home_gb.html) at the Shanghai FRP Research Institute (www.shfrp.com).

Compared with conventional epoxy resin, the newly-developed 2-K PU resin system has excellent mechanical properties and less VOCs, says Covestro, which was formerly known as Bayer MaterialScience. In addition, a faster curing process and better processing properties allow increased productivity, it adds.

Covestro intends to collaborate along the value chain, with blade manufactures, fibreglass companies and machinery companies, to develop longer and lighter wind blades. “Longer and lighter blades means higher energy generation efficiency and lower cost,” it states. “PU resin could help overcome the limit of existing materials, and bring in high performance and cost advantages for the industry.” During the company's presentation at "Chinaplas" (www.chinaplasonline.com) CEO Patrick Thomas said the windmills using the PU blade will be installed across China (see Plasteurope.com of 13.05.2016).