Chemical recycling and life cycle assessment of next-generation thermoplastic composites for wind turbine blade manufacture

About the Project

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience; a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield.

A major sustainability challenge in the wind energy sector lies in managing the end-of-life of turbine blades. Traditional thermoset composites are difficult to recycle, often ending up in landfill or undergoing energy-intensive disposal processes. This doctoral studentship—jointly supported by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience and Hive Composites—will advance circular solutions for the next generation of turbine materials.

Hive Composites have recently developed a new low-viscosity thermoplastic resin system designed for large-scale blade manufacture. This project will explore chemical recycling of these materials through solvolysis, aiming to establish an efficient recovery route and quantify its environmental benefits. The student will characterise recovered polymer and fibre fractions using advanced analytical techniques and re-manufacture them into new composite laminates, benchmarking performance against virgin materials.

Complementing the experimental work, a full life cycle assessment (LCA) will be conducted to compare solvolytic recycling with conventional disposal and mechanical recycling pathways. The outcomes will provide crucial data on energy use, carbon footprint, and circularity metrics, guiding future blade design and material selection.

This studentship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a sustainable, closed-loop future for offshore wind energy—integrating materials science, chemical engineering, and environmental assessment to deliver tangible industrial and environmental impact.

Supervisors

• Dr Ignacio Martin-Fabiani, Loughborough University
• Mr Gerry Boyce, Hive Composites
• Prof Tanja Radu, Loughborough University
• Dr Fiona Hatton, Loughborough University

Training & Skills

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student intake, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.

Entry Requirements

If you have received a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree (or the international equivalents) in chemistry, materials science/engineering, polymer science/engineering, or chemical engineering, we would like to hear from you.

If your first language is not English, or you require Tier 4 student visa to study, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency level that meets the requirements of the CDT’s academic partners. This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.

Guaranteed interview scheme

The CDT is committed to generating a diverse and inclusive training programme and is looking to attract applicants from all backgrounds. We offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for home fee status candidates who identify as Black or Black mixed or Asian or Asian mixed if they meet the programme entry requirements. This positive action is to support recruitment of these under-represented ethnic groups to our programme and is an opt in process. Find out more.

Applications

Applications for September 2026 entry will be considered on a rolling basis and applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to interview as applications are received.

As offers may be made before all applications are reviewed, early application is strongly encouraged.

Funding Notes

The Offshore Wind CDT is funded by EPSRC, allowing us to provide scholarships for Home students that cover fees plus a stipend set at the UKRI nationally agreed rates, £20,780 per annum at 2025/26 rates (subject to progress).