EPiC database - Rockwool insulation

This material is part of the free Environmental Performance in Construction (EPiC) Database. The EPiC Database contains embodied environmental flow coefficients for 250+ construction materials using a comprehensive hybrid life cycle inventory approach.

Rockwool, also called mineral wool, is made by spinning or drawing molten rock materials into fibres. The resulting fibrous material has a very low density and low thermal conductivity (0.04 W/(m·K)).

Rockwool is produced by melting rock at 1 600°C and blowing air or steam through the furnace to generate the fibres. Fibres can also be produced by spinning, similar to the process of making cotton candy (the same process used to make fibreglass, or glasswool). The wool is packed in rolls or matts.

Rockwool insulation is widely used in the construction industry as thermal insulation. It has a high fire resistance depending on the constituting material, with ceramic fibre wool withstanding up to 1 200°C of heat.