INEOS Styrolution and Edge Solutions in Material Supply Agreement

INEOS Styrolution and the Scottish wind energy specialist Edge Solutions have signed a 10-year exclusive supply agreement for an ultratough Luran SC thermoplastic product, designed specifically for wind turbine blades. The Luran SC product line comprises blends of Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) with Polycarbonate (PC). Luran SC is said to provide a very high heat resistance and improved impact strength at enhanced stiffness compared to ASA. It is also very stable toward oxidation and keeps its outstanding mechanical properties also outdoors. Main fields of use are demanding applications in automotive interiors and exteriors.

Edge Solutions has developed a patented system, called Armour Edge, which repairs and protects the leading edge of wind turbine blades from erosion — a significant issue for operational onshore and offshore windfarms. Their product is a custom-fitted modular shield which uses a bespoke version of an ultratough Luran SC grade. These two companies have been working in tandem for many years and the new exclusivity agreement extends Edge Solutions’ sole global rights to use Luran SC in leading edge protection (LEP) applications for the next decade, and on a rolling annual basis thereafter.

Says Edge Solutions’ Managing Director David Urch, “This agreement cements our position as a significant player in the LEP market and underlines the strength of our long-term partnership with INEOS Styrolution. Edge Solutions was launched commercially in 2020. We now have a growing Armour Edge order book worldwide, with repeat orders from early customers, including RWE and the German offshore wind farm Riffgat, with a number of our clients now looking to increase the amount of coverage per blade. We are delighted to continue our successful collaboration with INEOS Styrolution, and we look forward to announcing more significant customer orders in the months ahead.”