Covestro is developing innovative PUR resins for wind turbine rotor blades at its new Wind Energy Technology Center

On the road to alternative energy generation: Covestro is developing innovative PUR resins for wind turbine rotor blades at its new Wind Technology Center
.
This is a win-win situation for Covestro, customers and the environment
.

Klaus Franken, Head of Application Development for Wind and Pultrusion at Covestro, explains: "The development of these resins is very important to us
.
After all, it contributes to the expansion of alternative energies and reinforces our strategic direction of sustainable CO2 reduction.
footprint and take more steps towards climate neutrality
.
In order to increase competitiveness, the wind power industry faces an ongoing challenge to reduce the levelized cost of electricity
.
In this regard, we can help our customers to produce rotor blades faster, This increases cost-effectiveness
.
At the same time, increasing energy yield by optimizing blade performance and extending service life also plays a role
.
”

Work closely with customers

One goal of the Wind Energy Technology Center is to develop robust materials that combine important properties of rotor blades such as strength, stiffness and temperature resistance
.
Existing products are continuously optimized and completely new formulations are developed and tested
.
Another goal: the development of application technology in close cooperation with customers
.

"Here, we can simulate our customers' manufacturing process and show how our PUR resins can help them optimally implement their rotor blade design and manufacturing process," explains Klaus Franken
.

Covestro attaches great importance to optimizing its products according to the needs of its customers
.
That's why Covestro has established several partnerships with wind turbine manufacturers in Europe and Asia
.
The focus here is on building and testing prototypes
.

The high-tech center in Leverkusen was completed and opened earlier this year
.
It consists of two interconnected units: a laboratory area for chemical development and an upgrade plant
.
The latter is where processing technologies and applications are developed
.

Development and application go hand in hand

The center has clear advantages
.
"Chemistry development and applied technology can go hand in hand here
.
In addition, the geographic proximity makes it easier for us to exchange information directly and quickly
.
We use the same resources and the same infrastructure and quickly obtain a comprehensive process description
.
This has Helping us pursue our goals in a results-oriented manner, without losing knowledge, allows us to offer new, innovative solutions to our customers,
” explains Frank Grimberg, Technical Center Manager
.
"Process and plant safety, explosion protection, machine safety and, of course, occupational safety are always the focus here,
" explains Tobias Wollersheim, who is responsible for planning and implementing the investment as project manager
.

Another positive aspect: Through the innovative technology center, Covestro is increasing its attractiveness as an employer
.
In fact, wind energy technology offers a wide range of new and interesting fields of work, arousing curiosity and providing diversity
.
Covestro has recruited a new qualified chemical technician from its own training program to operate the machine
.
He is undergoing intensive training in process and machine technology
.

This one is clear: things are moving in the wind energy space
.

Klaus Franken, Head of Application Development for Wind and Pultrusion Technology at Covestro, said: "The development of these resins is very important to us
.
After all, it contributes to the expansion of alternative energies and reinforces our strategic direction to reduce CO2 sustainably.
footprint and take more steps towards climate neutrality
.
The wind power industry faces an ongoing challenge to reduce the levelized cost of electricity in order to increase competitiveness
.
We can make rotor blades faster by enabling our customers to produce rotor blades at higher The cost-effectiveness of the blade helps in this
.
At the same time, increasing energy yield by optimizing blade performance and extending service life also plays a role
.
Here we can simulate our customers' manufacturing process and show how our PUR resins can help them Optimum implementation of its rotor blade design and manufacturing process
.
”

Frank Grimberg, Head of the Covestro Polyurethanes Competence Center: "Chemical development and application technology can go hand-in-hand here
.
In addition, the geographical proximity makes it easier for us to exchange information directly and quickly
.
We use the same resources and the same infrastructure , and quickly obtain a comprehensive process description
.
This helps us pursue our goals in a results-oriented manner without losing knowledge, allowing us to offer new, innovative solutions to our customers
.
”

Tobias Wollersheim, senior project engineer at Covestro, said: "Process and plant safety, explosion protection, machine safety and, of course, occupational safety, are always the focus here
.
"