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

Loughborough University Offshore Wind CDT
✓ Fully Funded 🎓 Analytical Chemistry 🎓 Chemical Engineering 🎓 Environmental Sciences 🎓 Industrial Chemistry 🎓 Manufacturing Engineering 🎓 Materials Science 🎓 Offshore Engineering 🎓 Polymer Chemistry 🎓 Polymers circular economy life cycle assessment LCA chemical recycling fibre recovery offshore wind polymer characterization solvolysis sustainable materials thermoplastic composites wind turbine blades

This fully-funded PhD addresses sustainability challenges in offshore wind by developing chemical recycling methods and life cycle assessment for next-generation thermoplastic composites used in turbine blades. The project combines polymer chemistry, materials engineering, and environmental assessment to create circular, industrially viable solutions.

Project Description

The project aims to advance circular solutions for turbine blade materials through chemical recycling of next-generation low-viscosity thermoplastic composites. Key objectives include: Exploring solvolysis for polymer and fibre recovery Characterising recovered fractions using advanced analytical techniques Re-manufacturing composites and benchmarking performance against virgin materials Conducting a full life cycle assessment (LCA) to compare solvolytic recycling with mechanical recycling and conventional disposal Students will benefit from multi-institutional training across Durham, Hull, Loughborough, and Sheffield, including a six-month intensive programme at the University of Hull and embedded professional development. The project integrates experimental work with sustainability assessment, delivering industrially relevant outcomes for the offshore wind sector.

Entry Requirements

First-class Honours degree, or 2:1 Honours plus a Masters, or Masters with Distinction in chemistry, materials science/engineering, polymer science/engineering, or chemical engineering (or international equivalent)
English proficiency: IELTS 7.0 overall (min 6.0 in each component)
Open to international applicants
Guaranteed interview scheme for eligible home students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for September 2026 entry. Interested applicants should submit a CV, academic transcripts, and supporting documents to the Offshore Wind CDT admissions team. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Eligibility

UK/Home
EU
International

Supervisor Profile

DI
Dr Ignacio Martin-Fabiani, Dr Tanja Radu, Dr Fiona Hatton, Mr Gerry Boyce (Hive Composites)
Loughborough University, Offshore Wind CDT

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