Covestro receives JEC Innovation Award 2021 in the "Sustainability" category. With the award, the jury recognized the company´s polyurethane (PU) infusion resins for the efficient production of wind rotor blades and coatings for offshore wind turbines.
Efficient Production of Rotor Blades
The processing and mechanical properties of Covestro's PU were studied through prototyping and advanced computer simulations. Thanks to their low viscosity at room temperature and high reactivity at elevated temperatures, they enable rapid infusion and curing.
Compared with epoxy resins, this leads to significantly shorter rotor blade production cycles. Together with the potential for weight savings and their resistance, the PU resins reduce total cost of ownership by increasing energy efficiency and lowering manufacturing and maintenance costs.
In addition, several Covestro coating solutions for offshore wind turbines were included in the case presented for the JEC Innovation Award. These include a solvent-free gelcoat, a waterborne 2-component topcoat and a polyaspartic-based leading edge protection coating. The systems feature excellent adhesion properties on PU composites and were successfully tested under simulated offshore conditions. They facilitate the manufacturing process for rotor blades and thus improve the productivity of wind turbines.
Source: Covestro