Voodin Blade Technology has secured €48.18 million in funding from the EU Innovation Fund to establish Spain’s first fully automated factory for manufacturing wooden wind turbine blades. The German cleantech company will partner with Lithuanian firms VMG Wood Invest and VMG Technics, alongside Anker‑Tec, to realize the ambitious VB1F project.
The investment will finance the construction and operation of a state-of-the-art production facility in Navarre, Spain, dedicated to manufacturing fully recyclable laminated veneer lumber (LVL) wind turbine blades. The factory represents a significant step toward decentralizing European wind energy component production and reducing reliance on non-European suppliers.
Scaling Sustainable Manufacturing
Voodin Blade Technology’s approach centers on automating the blade production process using wood-based materials, addressing both environmental and supply chain concerns within the wind energy sector. The Navarre facility will enable local production of turbine blades, positioning the company to serve growing demand across European markets.
According to Tom Siekmann, “Our manufacturing system is designed for fast‑scale deployment. By enabling local blade production, we can help build stronger, more resilient European supply chains, reduce dependence on overseas manufacturing, and accelerate the deployment of wind energy where it is needed most. Our approach is designed for both scale and flexibility.”
The wooden blade manufacturing model offers distinct advantages over traditional composite materials. LVL blades are fully recyclable, addressing sustainability concerns that have long plagued the wind energy industry. Additionally, wood-based blades demonstrate comparable performance characteristics to conventional alternatives while potentially reducing the environmental footprint associated with production and end-of-life disposal.
European Supply Chain Resilience
The EU Innovation Fund grant underscores the European Union’s commitment to strengthening domestic clean energy manufacturing capabilities. By investing in localized production infrastructure, the funding targets a critical gap in Europe’s wind energy supply chain, particularly for turbine blade manufacturing, which has historically relied on distant suppliers.
The VB1F project aligns with broader European sustainability objectives, including the Green Deal targets for renewable energy deployment and the strategic goal of building more resilient, self-sufficient energy infrastructure across the continent. The Navarre location positions Spain as an emerging hub for innovative wind component manufacturing, potentially attracting additional investment and expertise to the region.
The collaboration between German, Lithuanian, and Spanish partners demonstrates the increasingly international nature of European cleantech innovation, with companies and investors coordinating across borders to develop solutions addressing shared sustainability challenges.
As Europe accelerates its transition toward renewable energy sources, initiatives like Voodin Blade Technology’s project highlight how investment in domestic manufacturing capacity can simultaneously advance environmental goals and strengthen economic resilience within the bloc’s energy sector.