Henkel Introduces First GL-Certified Polyurethane Adhesives for Rotor Blade Bonding

Henkel Corporation
One Henkel Way
Rocky Hill, CT, 06067, USA

Increasing Rotor Blade Reliability, Ensuring Quality and Lifespan

Rocky Hill, Conn. - July 15, 2009... Traditionally, wind turbine rotor blades have been assembled using epoxy adhesives that require up to 24 hours to cure and generate potentially damaging levels of heat during the cure process. To simplify and accelerate blade manufacturing, Henkel Corporation has introduced Macroplast® UK 8340, the first Germanischer Lloyd-certified polyurethane adhesive products for the wind power market.

Henkel's Macroplast® UK 8340 Series are solvent-free, two-component structural polyurethane adhesives that fully cure in just eight hours, greatly accelerating the blade assembly process and increasing productivity. The adhesives are applied at room temperature and undergo a much lower exothermic reaction (less than 100ºC) during the cure process, minimizing the possibility of substrate damage or stress cracking.

These GL-certified polyurethanes improve the overall efficiency and reduce the costs of rotor blade production processes. These non-abrasive adhesives offer excellent wetting characteristics and require substantially less surface preparation (e.g., sanding or laminating) than epoxies. They will reliably bridge wide gaps - up to 40 mm - between substrates.

For more information on Henkel's Macroplast® UK 8340 Series, call (864) 232-3893, x1144 or visit http://henkelna.com/wind. Macroplast® products can be customized to suit the specific substrate and process-related requirements of blade manufacturers.

Henkel has been committed to making people's lives easier, better and more beautiful for more than 130 years. A Fortune Global 500 and Germany's most admired company according to a recent Fortune survey, Henkel offers strong brands and technologies in three areas of competence: Home Care, Personal Care and Adhesive Technologies. Each day, more than 52,000 employees in 125 countries are dedicated to fulfilling Henkel's claim "A Brand like a Friend."

In fiscal 2008, Henkel generated sales of 14,131 million euros and adjusted operating profit of 1,460 million euros.

Henkel Corporation

One Henkel Way

Rocky Hill, CT 06237

Phone: 860-571-5100