Petronas Twin Towers

The crown jewel of a dynamic country

Safety and comfort are built in to this internationally recognised landmark

Built to symbolise Malaysia’s forward-looking optimism, the 451.9-metre Petronas Twin Towers was the tallest building in the world for eight years and it remains the tallest twin structure in existence. It is built to rigorous safety standards, standing on the world’s deepest foundations and constructed largely from reinforced concrete.

Fire resilience – the ability for a building to contain and rapidly recover from a fire – is a key consideration in any project on this scale, so contractors imposed strict specifications on the materials used. With an extremely tight construction schedule, they also sought out local suppliers to ensure on-time delivery. The qualities of ROCKWOOL stone wool, coupled with the fact that we manufacture stone wool locally, made the product a clear choice for this colossal project. After we jointly built and tested the Towers’ curtain wall system to assure two-hour fire resistance, around 900 tonnes of stone wool (the weight of a small ship) were ultimately installed in the floors, ceilings and walls.

The insulation does more than help keep the building’s thousands of occupants safe. In a city that’s near the equator and close to 30°C all year round, stone wool improves thermal performance, reducing the amount of energy needed for air conditioning. Insulation in the ceiling also contributes to better acoustics.

Commenting on the project, ROCKWOOL South Asia Managing Director Jeff Wilcox said: “This year marks 21 years since the completion of the Petronas Twin Towers, Malaysia’s crown jewel and a symbol of the nation’s ambitions and aspirations. As a company, our contributions to making buildings like the magnificent Petronas towers safer and more comfortable also marks a milestone in our presence in Malaysia over the last 35 years. And just as this nation continues to grow, so does its people’s need for a better quality of life. Thanks to our product portfolio and our continuous R&D efforts, we are in a privileged position to meet these needs and enrich the lives of people and cities such as Kuala Lumpur.”

Project Data