Mineral wool is a catch-all term that can be used to describe two different forms of material: glass mineral wool and rock mineral wool. Both rock mineral wool and glass mineral wool can be produced in a variety of densities, making both options versatile and suitable for a wide range of building applications.
Depending on how it is produced, rock mineral wool can be a highly sustainable material. In fact, some rock mineral wool solutions include nearly a quarter of secondary industrial waste. Additionally, rock mineral wool has great heat saving properties and can be used to help improve the energy efficiency of homes.
Increasingly, recycled glass is used in the manufacture of glass mineral wool insulation. Glass mineral wool can theoretically be reused and recycled at the end of its life. However, it is worth noting that it’s harder to do this within the UK as there are currently no ‘take back’ schemes available for the material.