The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) chose Iowa-based Critical Materials Recycling (CMR) as one of six companies to receive a $500,000 cash prize, along with $100,000 in support from national laboratories. The DOE prize was awarded to Critical Materials Recycling to implement the acid-free dissolution process for wind turbines. The award was given to CMR for recycling rare earth elements apart from aluminium and copper. Iowa is a state in the upper Midwestern region of the United States.
The $5.1 million Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supporting the goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. Critical Materials Recycling's president and CEO, Dan Bina, noted that while his company was already exploring wind turbine recycling, the DOE funding accelerated and prioritized their efforts.
These materials include the fiber-reinforced composites used in the blades and housing and the rare earth elements within turbine generators. Christoffel emphasized that advancing recycling infrastructure and technology will help reduce waste throughout all stages of turbine life, from production to infrequent updates and eventual decommissioning.
The recycling of critical materials is a major priority for the Department of Energy across various industries, not limited to wind technology. Much of this research is conducted at the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, led by the Ames National Laboratory in Ames.
"Recycling rare earth elements is crucial for the United States, particularly in the context of wind generators, electronic waste... and electric vehicles. It helps reduce the environmental damage caused by mining and processing, conserves finite resources, and supports a circular economy by reusing materials," said Ikenna Nlebedim, a scientist at the Hub who worked with Critical Materials Recycling.
See the full story: CMR bags $500,000 from DOE for its eco-friendly Wind Turbine Recycling Process