;
1/5

Circularity

Download our sustainability report

At ROCKWOOL Group, we’re committed to supporting the transition towards a circular economy. Afterall, ROCKWOOL products are circular by nature, so perfectly complement an economy where products are made from natural and abundant materials, designed for better and more durable use and can be infinitely recycled.

In nature, circularity is the norm. All living things exist, die and return to life – sometimes in a new form – in a never-ending circle. Our products are made from natural stone, making it possible to fully recycle used stone wool into new stone wool – over and over again and without any loss of performance.

Download our sustainability report

Sustainability Report 2021, End slate, SR21
ROCKWOOL Sustainability Report
GRI Standard Reference Index 2021
PDF
478.8 kB
ROCKWOOL on decarbonisation
PDF
110.7 kB
ROCKWOOL on circularity
PDF
103.7 kB
Methodology statement
PDF
179.1 kB

Why circularity makes sense

Many of the negative social, economic and environmental aspects of modern living are rooted in the linear ‘take, make, waste’ model. This economic model, where materials are used up and wasted, is reaching its limits. The environment simply does not have the capacity to sustain it anymore. By taking a circular approach – where waste is minimised and resources are re-used efficiently – we can create an economy that’s both sustainable and profitable.

Nowhere is the shift to a circular model more urgent than in construction. Consuming three billion tonnes of raw materials every year, it’s the single largest consumer of resources and it produces around one-third of all waste, much of which ends up in landfill. This is why the EU is focusing on buildings in all policies and guidelines designed to support the transition to a circular economy.

Circularity fact sheet
8 facts about circularity

Twenty five percent of the world’s water and 40 percent of its resources are used by buildings, while creating one-third of all waste and 40 percent of global carbon emissions. Check out these 8 facts about the circularity stone wool!

Download the factsheet
PDF
234.8 kB
In 2020, we collected and recycled
0

of stone wool through our recycling services

We offer recycling services in
0

different countries and are working add more

ROCKWOOL Group’s circular business model

A circular approach looks at waste as a valuable resource that can be repurposed and turned into something new. Embracing circularity minimises resource consumption and waste to landfill. Our circular business model helps us turn waste into new raw materials and take back and recycle construction site waste and used products.

Durability

If a product is durable, it can endure continued use over a long period, maintaining a constant performance. Our products are exceptionally resilient and long-lasting, keeping their thermal and mechanical properties for at least 55 years – and likely, a lot longer. A durable construction product that maintains strong performance throughout its lifetime does not need maintenance or regular replacement, and effectively helps to extent the lifespan of the building. It also helps to use less resources, create less waste and its manufacturing impact is spread over a longer period of time.

 

 

Download our Sustainability Report
7 strenghts of stone, stärken von steinwolle, robustness, durability, langlebigkeit, rock, stone, germany

ROCKCYCLE

Our stone wool is fully recyclable, and products made with it are easily disassembled and separated. We have recycling services in place that collect used products to recycle, providing others with resources to help reduce waste-to-landfill. We offer recycling services in 14 countries and expect to meet our 2022 goal of 15 countries in 2021 as well as our longer term goal to offer the service in 30 countries by 2030.

 

 

Download our Sustainability Report
logo, rockcycle, Abfallrücknahme Rockcycle, recycling, germany

Building an eco-system with other industries

The technologies that create our products also enable us to use waste from other industries as a raw material. We recycle our own waste from production and we upcycle secondary materials from other industries. Cooperating in this way helps to divert materials from landfill and keep them in the economy.

 

 

Download our Sustainability Report
factory, IST

Circular urban regeneration

As the world’s population continues to grow rapidly, pressure on natural resources will only increase. This brings the need for a circular economy into sharp focus – a system where there is no waste, just valuable resources. It highlights just how important it is for us to put circularity into practice throughout our business. From moving towards zero waste at our production sites to closing the loop on ROCKWOOL’s materials, learn more about our circularity initiatives by downloading our sustainability report.

Download our sustainability report

Visit our different case studies

1/3

Want to learn more?

20210303 RW-GMC PHO 1418
Sustainability

Decarbonisation

At ROCKWOOL Group, we believe that by decarbonising our business and value chain, we can reinforce the fact that we’re a net carbon negative company. That’s why 2020 saw us join a group of pioneering companies committed to the SBTi.

20180904_RW-UK_PHO_01
Sustainability

Sustainability goals

At ROCKWOOL Group, sustainability is at our core. Our business strategy is driven by a passion for converting sustainable development challenges into business opportunities, through innovative products, solutions and partnerships.

20180620 GMC PHO 914
Sustainability

Healthy living environments

Although city living can be great and full of opportunities, it can be challenging when it comes to health and safety, and issues such as noise, air pollution and the threat of fire. Products from ROCKWOOL Group can create the optimal indoor environment while enhancing fire resilience.

20180213 GMC PHO 584
Sustainability

Growing more with less

ROCKWOOL products enable modern horticulture to increase production while using fewer natural resources.

ROCKWOOL Group