DTU-Denmark 2026 - ByeByeBlade
A synthetic biology approach to breaking down end-of-life wind turbine blades.
For 2026 the DTU BioBuilders are tackling one of the wind industry’s most stubborn waste problems: what to do with wind turbine blades at the end of their life. Blades are built from composite materials that are strong and durable by design, which also makes them notoriously difficult to recycle. Today most decommissioned blades are cut up and sent to landfill. The team is developing a synthetic biology approach aimed at breaking down these composites biologically, so that the underlying materials can be recovered and reused rather than discarded. The project sits at the intersection of enzyme engineering, materials science and sustainability, and aims to contribute a greener end-of-life pathway for a rapidly growing volume of wind energy waste.
This description is preliminary and based on the 2026 team’s current project pitch. The full description, results, images and awards will be added after the team competes in Paris in November 2026.