Stora Enso and Voodin Blades to develop wooden wind turbine blades

Under the agreement, the two companies have committed to developing sustainable alternatives for wind turbine blades and creating a competitive and reliable supply chain. They are currently producing and installing a 20m blade for a 0.5MW turbine and have plans for an 80m blade.

Voodin Blades is a Germany-based start-up developing sustainable rotor blades for wind turbines. Stora Enso is a global supplier of mass timber products, including LVL (laminated veneer lumber), a construction material suitable for wind power construction.

“With the current energy crisis and ambitious decarbonisation goals, wind energy has never been more in demand,” said Lars Völkel, executive vice president, Wood Products Division, Stora Enso.

“Through this partnership with Voodin Blades we further accelerate our ability to develop a sustainable and competitive supply chain for the growing market of wind turbine blades.”

Wind turbine blades are typically produced with fibreglass and carbon fibre, energy-intensive non-renewable plastics made from petrochemicals that cannot be easily recycled and often end up in landfills. By developing lighter blades with sustainable wood, Stora Enso and Voodin Blades aim to reduce overall dependency on fossil fuel extraction.