From Battlefield to Blade Edge: How SOCOMORE and Hontek Are Revolutionizing Wind Turbine LEP
 SOCOMORE, in partnership with Hontek, is bringing a Leading Edge Erosion (LEE) solution to the industry that reduces downtime, maintenance costs, and power losses. That’s why the product – originally designed to protect military helicopters – is in our Uptime Spotlight!
Imagine spending half a million dollars on leading edge repairs—only to repeat the process 18 months later. For wind farm operators battling erosion at the tips of turbine blades, this is an all-too-familiar scenario. But what if a solution originally designed for military helicopters could extend blade life for nearly a decade?
Enter SOCOBLADE, a cutting-edge leading edge protection (LEP) product developed by Hontek and now globally available through a strategic partnership with SOCOMORE.
In this episode of Uptime Spotlight, Maxime Le Tallec of SOCOMORE joined host Allen Hall to dive deep into the science, business case, and global rollout of this military-grade coating.
Socoblade cuts the Cost of Leading Edge Erosion
Leading edge erosion (LEE) isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it’s an operational and financial one. Erosion creates surface damage that disrupts airflow, reducing aerodynamic efficiency and power output. “We’ve seen fist-sized holes on blades,” says Le Tallec, “leading to downtime, costly repairs, and up to 5% AEP (Annual Energy Production) loss.”
From Helicopters to Tower Heights: The Origin of SOCOBLADE
Initially, Hontek developed products for helicopters; designed so they could handle sand, rain, and high-speed debris in combat zones. Now, the aerospace-grade chemistry has been adapted for wind turbine applications, and it has delivered both durability and more than 8 years of field-tested results.
SOCOMORE, known for its aerospace surface prep and coatings expertise, has joined forces with Hontek to scale up manufacturing and streamline global distribution, particularly in underserved European markets.
“This partnership is freeing Hontek to keep innovating while SOCOMORE ensures supply, support, and scalability,” Le Tallec explained in a recent interview.
Inside the Tech: Application, Variants, and Durability
SOCOBLADE isn’t just strong—importantly, it’s also technician-friendly.
“The rollable application is forgiving and self-leveling,” says Le Tallec. “It was engineered for use in rope-access scenarios but scales well to robotic systems.”
- The application: It’s a two-part, rollable coating system. With minimal equipment (even the back of a truck will do), techs mix the warmed Part A with Part B, then apply with a roller or brush. SOCOMORE even offers training to ensure best practices.
- Available variants:
- LEP 220: For dry, low-humidity environments.
- LEP 220H: Optimized for high humidity (35–95% RH), making it viable in locations ranging from dry deserts to offshore wind farms.
- Robotic Compatibility: The product is currently being fine-tuned for robotic application, reducing labor costs and increasing consistency.
Questions? Contact SOCOBLADE at SOCOBLADE.com
Application Time, Service Life, and ROI
“Labor is the most significant cost,” says Le Tallec. So in addition to making the initial application efficient, reducing the need for reapplication makes the economics very attractive.
An experienced crew’s typical application rate is one to two turbines per day with experienced crews.
And real-world deployments of the Hontek formulation have lasted over 8 years without needing reapplication.That kind of longevity—especially in harsh environments—translates to substantial ROI. Apply it once after warranty expiration, and it could last straight through to repowering.
Availability and HOw to Order Socoblade
Until now, acquiring Hontek’s LEP coating—especially in Europe—has been challenging, but SOCOMORE’s entry changed that. Their new socoblade.com portal features:
- Technical and safety data sheets
- Product selection guides
- Online ordering (shipping in ~2 weeks)
- Contact access to LEP specialists like Maxime Le Tallec
“We’ve designed everything around operator needs—easy ordering, fast shipping, and global availability,” Le Tallec notes.
Learn More About SOCOBLADE’S Leading Edge Protection
Listen to the April 4, 2025 interview here.
For SOCOBLADE product access, demos, or support, visit SOCOBLADE.com or connect with Maxime Le Tallec on LinkedIn .
