German startup Voodin unveils wooden turbine blades as recyclable alternative to fiberglass

Voodin Blade Technology, based in Germany, has mounted 19.3-metre laminated veneer lumber (LVL) blades on a turbine in the village of Breuna, near Kassel, creating the world’s first wooden blade prototype. The blades, roughly the length of a city bus, are produced by CNC milling thin wood veneers into complex shapes, eliminating the need for costly molds. Co-founder Jorge Castillo reported that two years of laboratory testing showed the LVL blades to be more durable and exhibit fewer fatigue issues than conventional fiberglass.

The company claims the new process reduces carbon dioxide output by 78% and can cut production costs by as much as 20%. With the prototype serving the dominant onshore wind sector, Voodin is also working on 60-metre and 80-metre wooden blades, which will require certification and grid approval before commercial rollout.