Plaswire, a sustainable waste management and recycling specialist, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Port of Inverness, marking a major step towards establishing Scotland’s first advanced facility dedicated to recycling wind turbine blades and industrial composite waste
Plaswire manages waste from the wind and aviation sectors; its processes repurpose up to 100% of industrial materials, transforming them into durable, sustainable products that can replace wood, concrete, and hard plastics.
Plaswire’s plans to expand operations into Scotland have been accelerated by growing demand, especially from the wind energy industry, as onshore turbines reach the end of their operational lives.
Andrew Billingsley, CEO of Plaswire, said, “As many wind farm operators begin replacing their original onshore turbines with newer, more efficient equipment, the question of what to do with old blades has become a major challenge. Offshore wind is also a huge opportunity for the North of Scotland, and we can help fill the gap in making the supply chain more sustainable by recycling the waste created in the production process.
“Our system processes wind blades and other waste plastics and produces a new compound called RX Polymer, which can be used in the solar, construction and wind industries. Our ethos is to create a world where resources are not just used and discarded, but are part of a continuous, circular journey.
“With its strong transport links, proximity to major wind farms and skilled workforce, Inverness is the ideal location for our new facility. We look forward to working with Port of Inverness to identify the best site.”
Sinclair Browne, Port of Inverness chief executive, said, “We’re delighted Plaswire has chosen Inverness as the site of its new facility and its first outside Northern Ireland. Plaswire has a long track record of successful operations in Lurgan and is making a real difference to industries becoming more environmentally sustainable by saving waste plastics from landfill or incineration.
“Port of Inverness has handled hundreds of components for wind farms over the past 15 years, so there is great synergy in being the new location for the recycling and repurposing of turbines. We look forward to working with Plaswire and helping to facilitate new jobs and an innovative new industry in Inverness.”
Plaswire was awarded funding in 2024 to support the early-stage development of this project through the first round of The Crown Estate’s £50m Supply Chain Accelerator.
Will Apps, offshore wind strategy director at The Crown Estate, said, “Our £50m Accelerator programme exists to provide early-stage projects within the UK’s offshore wind supply chain with funding to move their ambition into reality. Since 2024 we’ve awarded nearly £18m to 26 exciting organisations from the South-West and South Wales to the North-East and Orkney. Northern Ireland-based Plaswire is one such organisation, and it’s fantastic to see The Crown Estate’s financial support creating new opportunities for sector growth and jobs across the country.”
