innovation
Projects
Innovation is one of AEROX’s strategic pillars. Through a strong commitment to research, development and innovation, the company develops advanced solutions for the manufacturing, protection, repair and recycling of components used in the wind energy industry.
Polymer Material Design and Development.
The research effort is linked to the development of polymers with excellent mechanical, physical and chemical properties, which have provided AEROX technical team an extensive experience in modulation and characterization of formulated polymers, starting with several oligomers and monomers bases.
Circularity in the repowering of wind farms through reuse, recycling, eco-design and the development of new recyclable and repairable materials (R3POWER)
TransMisiones (CDTI): 2025 – 2028
R3POWER is a collaborative project presenting a comprehensive, reliable and robust initiative for the ‘comprehensive circular repowering’ of wind farms, applying three joint strategies that maximise their circularity through the utilisation of waste – reuse, recycling and revalorisation (zero waste) – and on waste prevention – new materials that are easily recyclable and repairable – all catalysed by cross-cutting technologies such as AI, whilst aiming for a low environmental and economic impact from each of the strategies.
AEROX’s involvement focuses on the development of new sustainable and easily recyclable two-component epoxy resins.
Consortium: NORVENTO (lead partner), RENERCYCLE, TEMHA, GIRAWIND, ACTECO, HI-IBERIA, AEROBLADE, CETIM, University of Valladolid, AIMEN, CIEMAT and AEROX
Wind turbine blade leading-edge protection system based on renewable raw materials (RENEWEDGE)
Strategic Cooperation Projects (AVI): 2024 – 2026
Aerox is leading this project, which aims to develop a new system for protecting the leading edge of wind turbine blades, comprising a putty and a polymeric coating, based on renewable and/or bio-based raw materials. The project combines the development of new high-performance materials with modelling tools designed to predict their behaviour and durability under real-world conditions.
Consortium: AEROX (lead partner), CEU Cardenal Herrera University and AIMPLAS.
Development of a sustainable, water-based polyurethane coating with anti-icing properties for the protection of wind turbine blades (H2OTOPCOAT)
PIDI CV – SME R&D (IVACE): 2024 – 2025
The aim of the project is to develop a water-based polyurethane coating with anti-icing properties specifically designed to protect wind turbine blades. The solution developed seeks to minimise ice build-up, increase the durability of the coatings and improve the operational performance of wind farms located in challenging climatic environments.
Development of a high-performance polyurethane-based adhesive for the wind energy industry (WINDPUBOND)
PIDI CV – SME R&D (IVACE): 2023 – 2024
This project aims to develop a high-performance polyurethane adhesive for the manufacture, repair and maintenance of wind turbine blades. The development seeks to enhance the mechanical performance and versatility of application of this type of material in order to meet the current needs of the wind energy sector.
New chemical and mixed recycling technologies for composites to drive the circular economy at scale (COMAR)
CIEN Strategic Programme (CDTI): 2023–2027
The COMAR project is aimed at developing innovative technologies for the recovery of materials from composites and their reincorporation into high value-added applications. The aim is to promote new solutions that improve the sustainability of these types of materials and foster a more circular industrial model.
AEROX’s involvement in the project consists of developing advanced adhesives with self-healing and eco-design properties, for use in the wind energy sector, using waste epoxy resin composites treated via the solvolysis process.
Consortium: AZVI (lead partner), MESBOOK, Técnicas Reunidas, Rover Infraestructuras, INCOM, Sofitec, UBE and AEROX.
Development of a bio-based adhesive with advanced mechanical properties for the wind energy sector (BONBIOPAST)
PIDI CV – SME R&D (IVACE): 2022 – 2023
The project aims to develop a structural adhesive formulated from renewable plant-based raw materials and possessing advanced mechanical properties. The technology developed is geared towards the manufacture of next-generation blades for installation in offshore wind farms, helping to reduce the environmental impact of the materials used in the wind energy sector.
Development of a self-releasing gel coat for the manufacture of wind turbine blades, based on epoxy resins from renewable sources (SRBIOAROGEL)
Individual R&D projects (CDTI): 2021–2022
This project focuses on the development of a self-release gel coat based on epoxy resins derived from renewable sources. The technology developed improves the efficiency of blade manufacturing processes by reducing the consumption and frequency of application of release agents, thereby promoting more sustainable manufacturing.
Development of a high-toughness adhesive for wind turbine blade bonding (TOUGHENED)
PIDI CV – SME R&D (IVACE): 2020–2021
The aim of the project is to develop a high-toughness epoxy adhesive for the structural bonding of the two shells that make up wind turbine blades. This development will improve the strength of the bonds and optimise the manufacturing processes associated with this type of component.
Applied research into the incorporation of nanothermites as an exothermic agent for curing epoxy resin-based adhesives (SELFHEABON)
Torres Quevedo Programme (MICINN): 2020–2023
This project investigates the use of nanocomposites capable of generating heat in a controlled manner during the curing process of epoxy adhesives. The aim is to develop systems that reduce the need for external heat sources and improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes.
Collaborator: University of Tennessee
Innovative Leading Edge Protection System for Wind Turbine Blades (LEP4BLADES)
SME INSTRUMENT (Comisión Europea): 2018 – 2019
The LEP4BLADES project aims to drive the industrialisation of the leading-edge protection technology developed by AEROX, enabling its scaling up and validation at an industrial level. The project contributes to the development of solutions capable of extending the service life of wind turbine blades and reducing maintenance requirements resulting from erosion.
Offshore Demonstration Blade (ODB)
DEMOWIND 2 ERA-NET COFUND (European Commission/CDTI): 2017 – 2018
A European project aimed at validating innovative technologies designed to reduce the cost of offshore wind power generation. The project enables new solutions to be evaluated under real operating conditions, thereby helping to accelerate their industrial roll-out.
AEROX’s contribution focused on validating its AHP technology for protecting the leading edge of wind turbine blades under real operating conditions.
Consortium: ORE Catapult, CENER, BLADENA, TotalWind Blades, DTU, DIS, TNO, Gamesa, CEU and AEROX.
Polymeric material processing and industrialization.
The optimal integration of application process of the polymer in the particular conditions of each manufacturer production and optimization requires knowledge of the different stages of the blades manufacturing processes.
We highlight the project:
Product Performance enhancement & modeling realistic conditions.
Service response from AEROX products requires in its development a deep understanding of the usage requirements needed in their real environmental and operational conditions. This research line deals with the study of these parameters and how they affect polymer optimal performance.
