Swedish company turns wind turbines into skis

Swedish electricity company Vattenfall AB, known for its extensive wind turbine operations across northern Europe, is pioneering a new approach to recycling decommissioned turbine materials. By collaborating with Norwegian recycling firm Gjenkraft AS and ski manufacturer Evi Ski, Vattenfall is transforming rotor blades from wind turbines into skis, leveraging the carbon fiber embedded within each blade.

Evi Ski founder and industrial designer Endre Hals utilizes the carbon fiber from these rotor blades to enhance the strength and sustainability of his skis. Since establishing Evi Ski in 2003, Hals has focused on creating durable skis that can be reinforced with new materials, extending their lifespan. The recycled carbon fiber provides a robust and lightweight reinforcement, improving ski performance by reducing weight and increasing stiffness.

In 2022, Vattenfall dismantled the Irene Vorrink wind farm in the Netherlands, seeking sustainable alternatives to incinerating or landfilling the turbine materials. Gjenkraft's innovative thermochemical process recovers valuable glass and carbon fibers from the complex composite structures of the rotor blades. This collaboration with Evi Ski demonstrates the potential of recycled carbon fiber in ski manufacturing.

Gjenkraft co-owner Marcin Rusin highlighted the importance of recycling composites to extract valuable materials like carbon fiber. The partnership with Evi Ski showcases the practical applications of these recycled materials, particularly in the skiing industry.

In addition to skis, Vattenfall is exploring other uses for decommissioned turbine parts, such as constructing cabins and parking facilities. The company's landfill ban on turbine blades since 2021 underscores its commitment to sustainability. Vattenfall's Senior Environment and Sustainability Specialist, Gustav Frid, emphasizes the potential for innovative applications of composite materials in various industries.

The use of sustainable materials in ski manufacturing is gaining traction, with major brands like CAPiTA and Rossignol adopting recycled materials as standard practice. As the ski industry increasingly focuses on sustainability, the collaboration between Vattenfall, Gjenkraft, and Evi Ski sets a precedent for circular manufacturing processes in the sector.