Circularity

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At ROCKWOOL Group, we’re committed to supporting the transition towards a circular economy. Afterall, ROCKWOOL products are circular by nature, so they 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.

Following nature’s lead

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.

Why circularity makes sense – especially in construction

By taking a circular approach – where waste is designed out and resources are used efficiently – we can create an economy that’s both sustainable and profitable. Such a shift is particularly urgent in construction, the single largest consumer of resources in the world that uses a staggering three billion tonnes of raw materials every year. Construction-related waste is also a massive problem, accounting for 36 percent[1] of all the solid waste generated globally. if the construction and demolition industries became more circular in their approach to waste, it could save more than 2 billion tons of CO2 by 2050[2]. That’s the equivalent of saving the CO2 generated by almost 400 million cars in one year!

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Rockcycle® from ROCKWOOL

Our circular business model takes a broad approach to circularity, ensuring that our products are used for longer and are recycled at the end of their use. To make such that recycling actually happens, we developed Rockcycle® – our service that takes back used stone wool from construction and demolition sites so that we can recycle it into new ROCKWOOL products. This way, we help construction companies, building owners, and governments meet their recycling targets, and that makes a real difference for both the environment and climate.

In 2016, we set a goal to offer Rockcycle® within 30 countries by 2030. By introducing the service to Croatia, Russia, and Spain in 2021, we brought the total number of countries with Rockcycle® to 17. And we have met our intermediate goal of 15 countries by 2022 a year early.

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At ROCKWOOL, we understand 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

Circularity Video

Case studies

Want to be inspired as to how you can embrace circularity in your next building project? Check out our case studies today.

Public - Schools / Universities
Germany

Recycling stone wool and building sustainably

Recycling stone wool and building sustainably – Conscious construction becomes a reality in Leipzig

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bundesbildungszentrum zimmerer, kassel, bubiza, zimmerer, renovation, roof insulation, fireproof, energetic renovation, masterrock, rocktect, germany, presse, press
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Sustainability

Acoustics - Creating healthier and quieter indoor environments

Noise negatively affects our wellbeing. That’s why we’ve created ceiling and wall solutions that improve indoor spaces. Read more in our Sustainability Report.

ROCKWOOL Group
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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.

ROCKWOOL Group
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Sustainability

Renovation at ROCKWOOL Group

Energy efficient buildings are healthier and more comfortable. And they emit less carbon and lower energy bills. Read how in our Sustainability Report.

ROCKWOOL Group

[1] https://www.theworldcounts.com/challenges/planet-earth/state-of-the-planet/solid-waste/story

[2] Applying principles of circularity to the built environment could reduce global CO2 emissions from construction and demolition of buildings by 2.1 billion tonnes, by 2050, making them vital to reaching net zero (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021).

ROCKWOOL Group