Sustainable
Fiberglass Recycling
Solutions
RiverCap is leading the industry effort to keep end-of-life wind turbine blades
out of landfills. We have developed a comprehensive solution for recycling
high volumes of fiberglass material in an innovative, sustainable, and cost-efficient
way as part of the circular economy.
Sustainable
Fiberglass Recycling Solutions
RiverCap is leading the industry effort to keep end-of-life wind turbine blades out of landfills. We have developed a comprehensive solution for
recycling high volumes of fiberglass material in an innovative, sustainable, and cost-efficient way as part of the circular economy.
RiverCap's Onsite Experience & Expertise
With years of experience managing utility-scale decommissioning and repowering projects, we've fine-tuned the process of removing, size-reducing, and recycling turbine blades and other fiberglass components, leveraging our expertise in logistics, material processing, and end-use marketplaces.
Cross Sectioning
and Loading
We strategically size-reduce turbine blades on site to decrease material handling and logistics costs for our customers. Our experienced technicians cut each blade into 50-foot cross sections using a diamond-rope wet saw to minimize dust and debris. We then load and secure all turbine components onto trucks for safe and efficient transportation to our facilities off site.
Safe and effective disposition of fiberglass components
Precision cutting, handling, and loading of blades
Minimal disruption to landowners and environment
Off-Site
Paneling
and Shredding
We transfer all materials from the wind farm to a temporary processing center in proximity to your site, where we perform further size reduction of the blades. We use diamond-wire rope, industrial bandsaws, and excavators with shears to reduce the profile of each blade into pallet-sized pieces. From there, we shred the fiberglass into sub 1-foot material using state-of-the-art mobile shredding equipment.
World-class processing centers across the U.S.
Efficient size and shape reduction of blades
Shredded material used as alterative fuel source
Transport to
End Users
After processing at our facilities concludes, we ready the fiberglass material for shipment utilizing bulk bags and gaylord boxes, allowing us to maximize the size and efficiency of each load, while ensuring no materials are damaged during transit. We work with credentialed carriers to safely deliver all materials to our network of qualified end users throughout North America.
Expert handling of shredded, granulated, and pelletized fiberglass
Material safely and efficiently shipped to recycling facilities
Experienced carriers delivering on time, every time
Our Fiberglass Solutions
We have explored all different avenues of fiberglass recycling and have been working with industry leaders to find the most sustainable solution for end-of-life blades.
Certificates of recycling provided for all fiberglass components
Our partner company Canvus has developed a sustainable and scalable solution for recycling fiberglass wind turbine blades. Instead of destroying the blades, Canvus harnesses their engineering excellence to create durable, smart street furniture with a clean, organic design. Every Canvus product is one-of-a-kind, retaining the original shape and character of the blade it comes from.
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Cement Kilns
Our partners in the cement industry have committed to utilizing fiberglass waste as a safer, cleaner alternative to coal. When mixed with other traditionally landfilled products, shredded fiberglass can reach the high BTU levels needed to heat cement kilns. The fiberglass fuel source creates remnant clinker material when burned, which is added to the cement mixture to create concrete.
Pyrolysis
RiverCap is working with leading scientists, experimenting with pyrolysis as a viable long-term solution for fiberglass recycling. This thermochemical process separates the glass fibers, polymers, and other fillers in fiberglass when exposed to oxygen-depleted high temperatures. Once the glass fibers are separated and collected, they can then be reused in new composite applications.
Products & Structural Applications
We are working with universities and experts across multiple industries to develop new and innovative applications utilizing the unique structure of fiberglass wind turbine blades – creating sustainable products for civic, commercial, and consumer settings.
