Málama Composites Corporation of San Diego, California, manufactures rigid polyurethane foams made from plant-based resins. By using polyols derived from soy, castor, jatropha or algae, the company produces core materials that are said to be strong, lightweight, cost competitive and more environmentally sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives.
"We are excited to be working with Far East Wind to develop the next generation of wind turbine blades," says David Saltman, CEO of Málama Composites. "The utilisation of bio-based rigid polyurethane foam cores can reduce the weight of the blades, making them easier to transport and install. Equally important is the fact that our core materials are highly moisture resistant, providing greater longevity and retention of stability and blade balance which can reduce friction and pressure impact on the gear systems."
"Our product applications are ultimately aimed at increasing the duty cycle of the whole turbine," he adds. "We anticipate our collaborative efforts will lead to product applications worldwide."
Far East Wind Power Corp, of Phoenix, Arizona, USA, is building a portfolio of wind development projects located across China.
"Given the global environmental context which drives the alternative energy sector in the first place, a significant part of our mission at Far East Wind is to find new solutions to drive costs out of the manufacturing process while at the same time to introduce new green technologies and partnerships that enhance and firmly stake out our role as responsible innovators in the industry," explains Marcus Laun, Director of Far East Wind. "Málama Composites is ideally suited to provide extraordinary potential for growth in new and exciting areas of the manufacturing process."
