At ÉireComposites, we believe that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. Based in the west of Ireland, we’ve spent over two decades developing high-performance, lightweight composite materials for use in renewable energy and aerospace. Through the support of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and its Research, Development & Demonstration programme, we’ve been able to turn ambitious ideas into real-world solutions. This funding has allowed us—and could allow others like you—to create impactful projects that support a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Our Journey with SEAI-Funded Innovation
We’ve led several SEAI-supported projects that address some of the biggest challenges in renewable energy. Here’s a look at how we’ve put research into action:
🌀 Reblade
This project focused on re-blading Irish wind turbines using advanced materials and processes. We designed and manufactured a 13m V27 blade from Elium and glass fibre. To understand how the blade performs under real-world conditions, we embedded fibre optic sensors to monitor stress and carried out structural testing to failure at the University of Galway.
🌱 Sustablade
In Sustablade, we took a big step toward developing wind turbine blades made from fully sustainable materials. We tested renewable fibres like hemp, along with biobased and recyclable resins, comparing them with conventional materials. We will manufacture ten 6kW blades and four 15kW blades, which will be tested at the University of Galway.
🌊 LEProtect
LEProtect addresses the growing issue of blade erosion in offshore wind turbines. We’re developing tough thermoplastic materials to protect blade edges, especially at the fast-moving tips. Challenges like material shaping and adhesion are part of the process, but this work is key to improving blade durability in harsh marine environments.
Expanding Our Impact through European Collaboration
Building on our success with SEAI projects, we’re also taken part in several high-impact European programmes:
♻️ Blade2Circ
Blade2Circ is a Horizon Europe project focuses on circular design in wind energy. We’re developing and testing bio-based composite materials, with the goal of validating their performance at both coupon and demonstrator level. Our main contribution is the manufacture of a full-scale box spar section—a key structural component of a wind turbine blade—which will help prove the potential of these sustainable materials in real-world applications.
🌀 CRIMSON
CRIMSON was a Horizon 2020 project in marine energy, where we built composite components using recycled carbon fibre for a Marine HydroKinetic turbine. After extensive lab and tank testing, the turbine was deployed in Strangford Lough for real-world trials.
Additionally, we’re are working on innovative projects in space technology (Ad Astra, Free Form Optix and ESA Altius Mission), advanced materials (CarboWave, Multhem), and other renewable sectors like wave and tidal energy (Shines, DeepWindDemo). You can read more about our projects here – www.eirecomposites.com/research-development/
What We’ve Learned Along the Way
Navigating Irish and European funding landscapes has helped us grow not just as a company, but as innovators. Therefore, here are a few takeaways we hope others can benefit from:
- Keep R&D aligned with your core business strategy – It ensures relevance and long-term value.
- Talent follows innovation – R&D helps attract and retain top engineers, researchers, and thinkers.
- Be patient with commercialisation – It can take time, but the payoffs are worth it.
- Leverage sustainability as a strength – It opens doors to partnerships, funding, and markets.
Let’s Collaborate
If you’re developing a project in renewable energy or composite materials —and are thinking about SEAI funding (www.seai.ie)—we’d be happy to share what we’ve learned and explore opportunities to work together.
📍 Údarás Industrial Estate, An Choill Rua, Indreabhán, Galway
🌐 www.eirecomposites.com
📧 info@eirecomposites.com
📞 +353 (0) 91 505 430#
The mentioned projects have been funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2024, Grants number 21/RDD/630 (Reblade), Grant number 23/RDD/1006 (SustaBlade), Grant number 23/RDD/1019 (LEProtect).
