Malama manufactures proprietary rigid polyurethane foams made from plant-based resins. By utilizing polyols derived from soy, castor, jatropha or even algae, it produces fundamentally new core materials that are light-weight and far more environmentally sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives, the company said.
David Saltman, CEO of Malama, said: “We are excited to be working with Far East Wind to develop the next generation of wind turbine blades. The utilization 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.”
