Rockwool History

A strange wool-like material - The volcanic principle

Around 1900, scientists on the Hawaiian volcano Kilauea found a strange wool-like material hanging in trees. Analysis showed it to be rock fibre and to have exceptional qualities - it had excellent fire protection qualities, superb insulating properties and was wholly natural.

In 1937, Gustav Kahler brought the volcanic principle to Denmark and set up Rockwool's first factory near Copenhagen. The sub-zero conditions created a huge demand for building insulation materials and work began to refine a process which would imitate nature in the creation of rock fibre.

By the end of the 1990s Rockwool had 21 factories in Denmark, Norway, Germany, The Netherlands, Wales, France, Canada, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Russia and Italy. In 2003, the Rockwool Group is represented in more than 30 countries worldwide -with production in 14 countries from Canada in the West to Malaysia in the East.

The Future
In 1995 Rockwool International A/S was introduced to the Copenhagen Stock Exchange and  the transition of the Rockwool Group from a traditional, family based company to a modern, efficient company with a focus on shareholder value was established.

As the world's leading stone wool manufacturer Rockwool is well prepared for the demands of an ever changing future.  

• Mission and values
• Rockwool in the UK
• Rockwool in Ireland
• What is stone wool?
• Rockwool history
• Careers at Rockwool
• Rockwool company and partners
• Buying or installing Rockwool
• People and environment