Decarbonisation

At ROCKWOOL we believe, that reducing carbon intensity is a prerequisite for achieving our science-based absolute emission reduction targets.

Our production process is energy-intensive and two-thirds of our GHG emissions are in Scope 1 and 2. We aim to reduce these emissions by 38 percent by 2034 compared to baseline 2019 through three main levers: energy efficiency of factories, technology innovation and circularity.

We develop methodologies to measure and quantify our impact in collaboration with different partners and organisations, so that we can measure our progress against the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Measuring our product impact

ROCKWOOL insulation products save an enormous amount of energy, significantly reducing the associated greenhouse gas emissions in both buildings and industry.

The fact that thermal efficiency of our product does not deteriorate over time is an important reason for this. Over the lifetime of its use (50 years as an average), ROCKWOOL building insulation sold in 2023 will save 818 TWh, equivalent to more than 68 million homes’ annual electricity use. So while our production is energy-intensive we are saving far more – actually, 100 times more energy than is consumed to make these products.

Our other stone wool products support sustainable modern living within water management, sound insulation, building aesthetics, and horticultural growing solutions for professional greenhouse growers.

Stone wool is circular by nature and can be fully recycled indefinitely with no loss of performance.

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Taking energy saving further with SBTi

ROCKWOOL has signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and committed to a verified and approved plan for an ambitious one-third reduction of our lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by 2034, using 2019 as the baseline.

This includes reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 38 percent by 2034 and our Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2034.

The SBTi is a partnership among CDP, United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and has been created to drive ambitious climate action in the private sector by mobilising companies to set science-based reduction targets.

UN Global Compact

The UN Global Compact is a principle-based framework for businesses, stating ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the envionment and anti-corruption. It is a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals.

Investing in innovation

Reduction of our factories’ direct emissions is a key focus of our technological innovation. That is why we’re pioneering large scale electric melting technology, well suited for countries where the electricity grid is already low carbon.

For years, ROCKWOOL has also made substantial investments in developing fuel-flexible melting technology. Now we’re reaping the benefits, as this technology allows us to transition from coal and coke to less carbon-intensive fuels in the facilities where it is used.

Most recently, our newly opened factory in Qingyuan, China started operations using electric melting technology, which we expect will reduce annual CO2 emissions by more than 60 percent compared to the decommissioned factory it replaces. Elsewhere, our manufacturing facility in Mississippi, USA successfully transitioned from coal to natural gas during 2022, which is projected to save up to 30 percent in CO2 emissions annually due to our melting technology.

Getting the proportions right

Through our insulation products we have truly significant positive impact on the climate change:

Our building insulation sold in 2023 will save 818 terawatt-hours of heating energy during its lifetime. This is equivalent to more than 100 times the carbon emitted in its production.
Our building insulation saves more than 55 times the PM emissions related to the production of ROCKWOOL insulation during the 50 years average lifetime of a building.
Our technical insulation sold in 2023 will save more than 3872 terawatt-hours heating energy during its lifetime and as a result save one billion tonnes of CO2.

We are committed going forward to maximizing the saved energy and carbon through the use of our products.

How is the saving calculated?

To assess the energy and carbon emission savings from the usage of sold ROCKWOOL insulation products, there is a need for a robust and transparent calculation methodology. Therefore, ROCKWOOL asked Navigant to develop a methodology to calculate the energy and CO2 emission savings of its building and technical insulation. Navigant developed the methodologies independently of ROCKWOOL and endorses that the annual savings calculated by ROCKWOOL correctly follow these methodologies.

The CO2 emissions emitted during production of ROCKWOOL products have been calculated by ROCKWOOL.

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Methodology

Guidehouse developed methodologies to calculate the CO₂, energy and emission savings in the lifetime of sold building insulation and technical insulation products. Guidehouse endorsed that these product benefits calculated by ROCKWOOL annual correctly follow these methodologies. Download the methodologies here:

Quantifying the energy and climate benefits of ROCKWOOL products for building insulation

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Quantifying the energy, climate, and air emission benefits of ROCKWOOL products for technical insulation

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Learn more about ROCKWOOL's commitments

Energy Efficiency

Correct building design and installation of insulation is critical to ensure optimal energy efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainability

Circularity at ROCKWOOL Group

At ROCKWOOL Group, we’re committed to supporting the transition towards a circular economy.

Protecting climate and environment

Environment

Our commitment to sustainability includes advocating for energy efficiency, decarbonisation, building renovation, and a circular economy, all in the effort to protect the climate and the environment.