The transformation of ROCK to stone wool insulation

The production process for stone wool is a technological replica of the inside of a volcano that spins and cools lava in a controlled environment.

The process begins with the base rock being graded and crushed along with other carefully selected ingredients, such as, recycled stone wool to form a raw material. This charge, as it is known, is then melted in a cupola furnace at a temperature in excess of 1500°C. As the liquid rock pours from the furnace, nature’s process is recreated. Lava flow is directed into a chamber where it is spun and transformed into rock strands and stone wool.

The spun strands are then mixed with a binder. Trillions of these strands are collected to form a matt which is then cured. Cut to various lengths and thicknesses it is then prepared and packaged to form an extensive range of products for a wide variety of applications.

To understand this process further, watch the ROCKWOOL Origins video.