Circularity

We work with the industry to achieve a circular economy for all material and strive for net zero. We want to ensure a sustainable use of resources and are activly working to reduce and manage our own waste and at the same time drive the circular development in the industry.

OX2 supports industry organizations and initiatives

We are a member of several industry organizations, such as the sustainability working group of WindEurope. One initiative from WindEurope that recently was adopted by it's memeber, was prohibiting the sending of wind turbine blades to landfill from 2025. We are also a member of the Swedish Wind Energy Association’s new sustainability committee where circularity is discussed. OX2 also support RISE’s Rekovind initiative, which aims to increase the circularity of wind turbine blades through reuse and recycling.

Materials used in wind turbines

85 to 90 percent of a wind turbine’s total mass can be recycled. Most components of a wind turbine – the foundation, tower, and nacelle components – are treated according to established recycling practices. The main challenge is the rotor blades, which consist mainly of composite material. They are currently treated according to the EU’s waste hierarchy, where reuse is prioritised. Composite waste from wind turbines will account for only 5 percent of total composite waste by 2025. Sectors such as marine, transport, aeronautics, construction and building are other users of composite materials.

Materials used in solar panels

Considering all components of a whole PV system, module production clearly contributes the largest share of carbon emissions, while a smaller fraction is associated with inverter production. Most of the materials contained in a PV module are common materials, such as glass, aluminium and plastic. Solar modules at their end-of-life stage are processed in existing recycling plants for glass or metals.