Why Using Polyurethane is Important in the Offshore and Wind Industry

10th October, 2025

Found in several applications in the offshore and wind industry, from wind turbine blades to protective coatings, polyurethane can be tailored to be either rigid or flexible depending on the desired requirements for your project.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we manufacture polyurethane plastic in Shore hardness ranging from very soft (Shore A 10-20) to very hard (Shore D 90+) and provide polyurethane products for clients across the world.

What is Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is one of several different types of synthetic rubber. A durable and resilient polymer, polyurethane is known for its versatility and the unique properties which mean it can be formulated to be as soft as rubber or as hard as nylon and anywhere in between.

Polyurethane is used in everyday life, like in furniture, thermal insulation and clothing, but it is also a critical material for the offshore and wind industry. With 44 operational offshore wind farms in the UK and thousands located across the globe, polyurethane is a widely used material in applications such as turbine blades, subsea cables, foundations and substructures, and floating platforms.

How is Polyurethane made?

Polyurethane is made by a chemical reaction between polyols and diisocyanates. During this controlled synthetic rubber production process, additives like catalysts and blowing agents are used to influence final properties and form of the polyurethane. This is how polyurethane becomes a flexible foam or durable solid, and anything in between.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we dispense liquid polyurethane into heated moulds from dispensing machines, then after heat curing, the parts are trimmed or machine-finished to meet the requirements of our clients’ bespoke projects.

What is Polyurethane used for in the offshore and wind industry?

Polyurethane uses vary depending on the industry.

In the offshore and wind industry, polyurethane plays a pivotal role in several applications which are crucial for the safe and effective operation of wind farms.

Seals and bonding

Polyurethane seals are used to provide resilience, friction and resistance to wear and damage which are ideal for abrasive conditions experienced by wind turbines. Strong bonds between components are vital within the structure of a wind turbine, so high-strength polyurethane adhesives are used to bond components and repair blades.

Protective coatings

Polyurethane is used in the offshore and wind industry as a protective coating for several applications.

Since the foundations and substructures of offshore wind farms, including subsea cables, are submerged in seawater, they are susceptible to corrosion from saltwater.

Offshore rigs are exposed to various harsh weather conditions, like temperature variations, UV radiation and wind and rain, protective polyurethane coatings are applied to turbine blades and other parts of wind turbines.

Vibration dampening

Polyurethane is used in damping systems and mounts within wind turbine towers to absorb shock and dissipate mechanical vibrations from wind farm operations, including vessels. Since ships and other vessels are used for transportation between the shore and these wind farms, it is important wind turbines are protected from any knocks and damage.

Using polyurethane in wind turbines can also reduce noise during operations.

What are the benefits of using polyurethane in the offshore and wind industry?

Some properties of natural and synthetic rubber are similar, since synthetic rubbers, like polyurethane, are specifically engineered to mimic natural rubber.

Durability

When used in offshore and wind applications, polyurethane’s durability helps to extend the operational life of wind turbines by preventing structural damage and reducing the need for maintenance.

The customisable nature of polyurethane – to make it softer or firmer – makes it useful for applications beyond turbine blades and structural foundations, like sealing subsea cable connections. Polyurethane can be manufactured to meet the bespoke requirements of offshore wind farm applications.

Insulation

Polyurethane is often used in specialised wind farm applications, like subsea cables, to insulate these components. This offers prevention from issues like condensation, protection from harsh temperatures and ensures energy efficiency, BY reducing energy transfer, polyurethane insulation contributes to the overall performance of offshore systems.

Corrosion protection

Usually implemented in the form of coatings, polyurethane is used to protect wind turbines and other applications from corrosion from saltwater or other corrosive agents. By forming a robust and impermeable barrier against corrosion, polyurethane protects wind turbine foundations from structural degradation.

Polyurethane is also resistant to abrasion, oils and chemicals and heat, meaning it can operate at a high standard in extreme or harsh conditions, like those found in the offshore and wind industry.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we have produced an essential guide to polyurethane and an essential guide to offshore rubber to support you in deciding which material your bespoke project requires, and these guides explore the properties and benefits of polyurethane and other materials uses in the offshore and wind industry to advise your decision.

Choosing Aquaseal Rubber for your polyurethane solutions

In the offshore and wind industry, it is essential to ensure you carefully consider and select the correct rubber or polyurethane product for any applications in the offshore and wind industry.

At Aquaseal Rubber, we have worked with several clients to produce polyurethane clamping plates, polyurethane roller covering and polyurethane mouldings for a variety of projects. We manufacture rubber for offshore wind farms, including polyurethane, to support numerous clients in the offshore and wind industry.

If you have bespoke requirements for your next project and require custom polyurethane for the offshore and wind industry, contact us to see how we can help.