Rock wool is an insulating material derived from the melting of rocks of volcanic origin, reduced to fibres and treated with mineral resins and oils. A process that makes it a water-repellent, fireproof material with excellent performance, both in terms of acoustic and energy insulation. It can be used for loft spaces as well as for the walls of homes, delivering the best results when combined with wood.

An excellent solution for cutting the energy consumption of buildings, as well as improving their living comfort and acoustic performance, including in the building renovation sector.

A material with an extremely low ecological footprint, as it "makes it possible to save up to 100 times the energy used in its production, preserving energy resources and reducing air pollution", announces Rockwool – one of the world's largest producers of rock wool – from Paris during World Efficiency, the trade fair dedicated to energy efficiency.

Uses of rock wool: some examples

A tangible example of sustainable construction making use of this product comes directly from the group's headquarters, not far from Copenhagen: the building, completed in 2000, was awarded the title of "the most energy-efficient headquarters in the world".

Within our own borders, too, there are examples of bioarchitecture in which rock wool has been used. Such as the timber building constructed in Arsago Seprio, in the province of Varese, where the material was used to insulate the roof, internal partitions, the sub-floor and the external cladding system. A residential complex with a total surface area of 600 square metres, whose construction took just one month of work, with units requiring an energy demand of 3 kW.

Rock wool can also be used during renovation works, as in the case of Casa CorTau, in the province of Vercelli. A project that transformed a typical Piedmontese travà — traditionally used to shelter agricultural machinery — into a building that is energy self-sufficient and powered by renewable sources.

"Rock wool is a product designed to be long-lasting", explains Jens Birgersson, chief executive of Rockwool International. "Even after a hundred years it is still intact and reusable. This demonstrates how CO2 emissions are reduced throughout the entire lifecycle of our product".