ROCKWOOL NEWSLETTER 2024 Q3

rockwool

issue 3，2024

2024 marks the inaugural year of transformation for ROCKWOOL Greater China. In the face of complex and ever-changing market competition, it is crucial for all employees to work together to enhance internal management levels, implement cost-saving measures, and strive to improve the overall market competitiveness of ROCKWOOL Greater China. This will ensure sustained operations and healthy development in a highly competitive market environment.

To effectively support the annual development goals of ROCKWOOL Greater China, the Human Resources Department has actively promoted, facilitated, and assisted in the execution and implementation of various training courses to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of team members. Through the collective efforts of the team, we have completed on-the-job training in areas such as production operations, safety management, quality management, product knowledge, sales tools, corporate culture, digital App usage, and legal regulations. Additionally, in line with the annual training plan of ROCKWOOL Group, we have effectively organized and implemented offline and online training courses on the "Anti-Unfair Competition Law," "Anti-Monopoly Law," "Code of Conduct," and the "General Data Protection Regulation." This has significantly increased the average annual training hours per employee compared to previous years, and further optimized and improved the training system.

While we continue to enrich our intellectual resources, the HR department has also actively organized a series of employee activities to enhance mutual understanding and team cohesion::

Opening article

Rebecca Kuang

Senior HR Manager of ROCKWOOL China

Oct, 2024

ROCKWOOL HR Department Assist in 

• Best Workspace Contest: Recognizing the cleanest and most comfortable workspaces in our environment.

• Employee Birthday Celebrations: Gathering birthday stars to celebrate and share birthday wishes.

• Dragon Boat Festival Activities: Including making zongzi and sachets to inspire interest in traditional Chinese culture, promote cultural heritage, and foster closer relationships among colleagues.

• Establishment of an Offline Reading Corner: Providing a platform for colleagues to share books and exchange insights, fostering intellectual exchange and interaction.

• Completion of Labor Union Formation in Accordance with the Law: The union will serve as a vital link between the company and employees, actively organizing various employee activities, assisting in skill training, promoting career development, and jointly creating a harmonious and healthy work environment.

Our earnings reached a record high level. These results are driven primarily by volume growth across multiple regions, stable prices, and our highly efficient operations. Volume growth was especially solid in Eastern Europe as well as North America and South Asia.

Enterprise dynamics

Q2 2024 financial results are out 

Enterprise dynamics

ROCKWOOL participated in the New York Climate Week, organised by the Climate Group. The series of events create a significant platform for discussing impactful climate actions and sharing innovative ideas.

ROCKWOOL participated 

in the New York Climate Week

“One of the main points we will be bringing to this event is that investing in energy efficient buildings is key to reaching energy and climate goals, and will also deliver broad economic and social benefits”, says CEO Jes Munk Hansen.

why is a building materials company like ROCKWOOL Group attending? Actually, it’s pretty straightforward. Cities are on the frontlines in the battle against climate change. Buildings account for ~30% of global energy demand and CO2 emissions, which makes them essential to achieving energy and climate goals. Done right, deep energy efficiency renovation of buildings can dramatically reduce their environmental impact and in the process deliver substantial short- and long-term benefits to our economies and society, including:

🔹 Lower energy consumption and energy bills

🔹 Reduced emissions

🔹 Quality jobs

🔹 Improved health and wellbeing from indoor spaces with high thermal efficiency, good acoustics, lighting, ventilation and more.

Yesterday was a good start to our activities at Climate Week New York City, with CEO Jes Munk Hansen speaking at the Climate Group on “Delivering COP’s energy efficiency commitment” and the Danish Trade Council on “Energy efficiency in buildings: Cities on the frontlines of climate change and social wellbeing.” At the latter, Jes advocated for stricter and more rigorous standards and regulations covering building materials and energy efficiency targets, while other participants discussed specific initiatives and approaches to accelerating and expanding the good work being done around the world to create new generations of energy efficient, durable, and circular buildings. 

The Use of ROCKWOOL Stone Wool 

in Paris Olympic Venues

As the Paris Olympics concluded, the French romance and the exhilarating competitions left a deep impression on everyone. Notably, at the beginning of the event, the lack of air conditioning in the Olympic Village and some competition venues sparked heated discussions in the sports community and media, leading to concerns about the potential impact on athletes' comfort due to the absence of air conditioning.

Despite initial concerns, the Paris Olympics successfully concluded without the widespread use of air conditioning. This outcome not only alleviated the concerns of the delegations but also earned praise for the Paris Olympics' efforts towards green sustainable development.

The excellent thermal insulation and fire protection effects of the Paris Olympic Village and venues played a crucial role, with the application of ROCKWOOL stone wool being key. As a highly efficient thermal insulation and fire protection material, ROCKWOOL stone wool is widely used in construction. Its thermal insulation performance not only keeps interiors warm in winter but also effectively blocks external heat in summer, keeping interiors cool.

To achieve fire protection, thermal insulation, sound absorption, noise reduction, and comfortable and healthy living conditions, the Paris Olympic Village used a large amount of ROCKWOOL stone wool, covering nearly 40,000 square meters. The Ephemeral Grand Palais used 10,000 square meters of ROCKWOOL stone wool for protection, hosting events such as taekwondo and fencing. The swimming venue, where the Chinese delegation performed excellently, used a large amount of ROCKWOOL stone wool as fire protection and thermal insulation material, providing a safe and comfortable indoor environment while reducing the building's energy demand. Particularly, the waterproof and moisture-resistant performance of ROCKWOOL stone wool played a prominent role in the swimming venue.

Enterprise dynamics

Enterprise dynamics

In fact, in most parts of Europe, the setup of building enclosures for fire safety, high energy efficiency, and comfort means that the prevalence of air conditioning is not high. According to the International Energy Agency, less than one-tenth of households in Europe have air conditioning, thanks to Europe's rich experience and mature applications in building fire protection and thermal insulation technology. ROCKWOOL stone wool has long and widely been used in the Europe, reducing dependence on air conditioning, decreasing energy consumption, and emphasizing carbon emission reduction. The implementation of environmental protection and sustainable development concepts by the organizers of this Olympics is something we should learn from.

The application of ROCKWOOL stone wool in the Olympic Village and competition venues not only ensured the comfort of athletes but also helped achieve environmental goals. ROCKWOOL stone wool is also widely used in the construction of domestic sports venues. We are committed to using the excellent performance of ROCKWOOL stone wool to create comfortable, safe, energy-efficient, and healthy sports facilities, showcasing the important role of environmentally friendly and high-performance stone wool fire protection and thermal insulation materials in achieving sustainable development goals.

Cases of ROCKWOOL sports venues projects:

The Ephemeral Grand Palais On-site photo

Industrial Insulation: ROCKWOOL Rocktech 

High-Temperature Stone Wool Takes the Lead

From September 19^th to 21^st, 2024, ROCKWOOL participated in the ICIF 2024 China International Chemical Industry Fair held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. At this exhibition, ROCKWOOL showcased its leading Rocktech high-temperature stone wool products and solutions in the field of industrial insulation, attracting widespread attention.

ROCKWOOL Rocktech high-temperature stone wool products are economically mature materials designed to reduce energy consumption in industrial insulation. Made from high-quality natural rock, these products are created by melting rock at high temperatures, spinning the fibers at high speed with a centrifuge, and then processing them into different specifications and applications of fire-resistant thermal insulation products. The performance advantages are prominently reflected in:

ROCKWOOL Rocktech high-temperature stone wool is widely used in the process industry. With a safe usage temperature of up to 650°C and excellent anti-corrosion properties, it provides the highest level of protection for equipment such as boilers, furnaces, distillation towers, valves, and pipes in petroleum, chemical, power plants, and other industrial production, preventing heat and energy loss, fire, noise, and other harmful effects.

At this exhibition, ROCKWOOL also showcased its upcoming ROCKWOOL Thermoset Multifunctional Fiber Facing Blanket product. This product enhances thermal insulation performance while improving construction efficiency, meeting international standards such as EN and ASTM, and maximizing the elimination of CUI (corrosion under insulation).

The exhibition attracted many large domestic process industry enterprises, including PetroChina, Sinopec, COC, Sinochem, Yanchang Petroleum, Hengli Petrochemical, Dongming Petrochemical, and Satellite Chemical etc., The participation of numerous upstream and downstream enterprises provided opportunities to deepen understanding with related industry companies. Many distinguished guests from well-known industry enterprises visited the ROCKWOOL booth and recognized the performance of ROCKWOOL high-temperature stone wool.

While showcasing advanced industrial insulation products at this exhibition, ROCKWOOL China also gained a deeper understanding of the needs of process industry customers. We will continue to adhere to our commitment to continuous innovation, enhance cooperation with process industry enterprises, and provide customers with excellent insulation solutions to jointly promote the sustainable development of the industry.

High Temperature Resistance: ROCKWOOL Rocktech high-temperature stone wool can safely be used at temperatures up to 650°C, preventing insulation failure, effectively reducing direct costs of downtime maintenance, and improving production efficiency.

Low Thermal Conductivity: Even at high temperatures, ROCKWOOL Rocktech high-temperature stone wool maintains a low thermal conductivity, effectively protecting equipment parts with high heat concentration, reducing the thickness of the insulation layer, and lowering production and operation costs.

High Corrosion Resistance: The product's pH value is strictly controlled between 7.0-10.5, with a soluble chloride ion content of ≤10ppm, ensuring no corrosion to metal equipment and pipes, thus reducing future maintenance costs and downtime losses.

Excellent Water Repellency: The product's water repellency rate far exceeds national standards. The insulation system will not rot or collapse even after long-term use in humid environments, ensuring the system's safety and durability.

Enterprise dynamics

Enterprise dynamics

Applications

Applications

When selecting insulation materials, water repellency is an important indicator that cannot be ignored. Materials with excellent water repellency can effectively prevent moisture penetration, keep the material dry, and ensure its long-term stable insulation performance.

ROCKWOOL stone wool boasts a water repellency rate of over 99%. This means that our stone wool products can not only provide excellent insulation performance but also remain stable in humid environments. Specifically, the water repellency performance of ROCKWOOL stone wool is reflected in the following aspects:

Significant Water Repellency: ROCKWOOL stone wool maintains stable water repellency, ensuring the material stays dry.

Mildew and Corrosion Resistance: The porous structure of ROCKWOOL stone wool fibers allows the small amount of internal moisture to dissipate, providing good "breathability" and preventing mold growth which can lead to health issues and material corrosion.

Protecting Building Structures: The water repellency of ROCKWOOL stone wool can prevent moisture from eroding building structures, extending the life of the buildings.

As a global leader in firesafe thermal insulation stone wool manufacturing, ROCKWOOL is committed to providing customers with efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly thermal insulation solutions. Our stone wool products, with their outstanding water repellency, help numerous construction projects achieve better insulation effects and durability.

Product properties

Water Repellency 

and Moisture Resistance

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

ROCKWOOL stone wool absorbs sound waves through its fiber pores, providing excellent acoustic performance. There are various ways to ensure an optimal acoustic environment with stone wool:

Installing ROCKWOOL Stone Wool in Floors and Ceilings: This is an effective method to control inter-floor noise. Whether in classrooms or bedrooms, installing ROCKWOOL stone wool in floors and ceilings can significantly reduce noise transmission, helping to create a quiet environment.

Applying ROCKWOOL Stone Wool in Walls: This not only significantly reduces noise pollution but also provides benefits such as thermal insulation, reduced energy costs, and improved fire safety. The water-repellent and moisture-resistant properties, along with durability and stability, make ROCKWOOL stone wool an ideal choice for wall soundproofing.

Using ROCKWOOL Floorrock Non-combustible Insulation Boards: These boards are non-combustible, water-repellent, have low thermal conductivity, high load-bearing capacity, and good physical and chemical stability. When used in floating floor systems, they effectively reduce impact noise from floors. The weighted normalized impact sound pressure level Ln,w can reach less than 50dB, significantly surpassing current national standards, and fully meeting the stricter requirements for floor impact sound insulation specified in the revised version of GB/T 50378-2019 "Green Building Evaluation Standard," to be implemented on October 1,2024.

ROCKWOOL stone wool, with its excellent sound insulation and absorption performance, provides a reliable solution for creating good acoustic environments. Whether in schools, hospitals, or homes, ROCKWOOL stone wool can effectively reduce noise pollution and improve people's quality of life. We remain committed to promoting and applying the superior performance of ROCKWOOL stone wool to create a quiet, comfortable, and healthy living environment for more people.

Enterprise dynamics

Product properties

Acoustic

As a global leader in firesafe thermal insulation stone wool material manufacturing, ROCKWOOL Group has always been committed to promoting green development and resource recycling. We will delve into the outstanding performance of ROCKWOOL stone wool in terms of sustainability.

97% of the raw materials used in ROCKWOOL stone wool come from rock resources that are abundantly available on Earth. Rocks account for approximately 99.98% of the Earth's weight and are renewable resources. This means that using these materials does not lead to excessive consumption of Earth's resources. In fact, the amount of rock used by ROCKWOOL annually for stone wool production accounts for only 1/38,000 of the total amount of rock generated on Earth each year. This figure not only demonstrates ROCKWOOL's efficiency in resource utilization but also highlights our respect for and protection of Earth’s resources.

ROCKWOOL Group's stone wool products, produced annually, can effectively save energy consumption throughout their lifecycle, equivalent to a reduction of 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions. Behind this enormous number is ROCKWOOL's relentless pursuit of environmental protection. By providing efficient thermal insulation and fire protection solutions, we help customers reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing their carbon footprint and achieving a sustainable future.

Stone wool not only has excellent insulation properties but can also be recycled without degrading its quality. ROCKWOOL has always advocated for resource recycling and has launched the ROCKCYCLE service in 21 factories worldwide. From material installation to product dismantling, ROCKWOOL achieves closed-loop recycling. This initiative not only reduces waste production but also further enhances resource utilization efficiency.

ROCKWOOL understands that sustainable development is not only a corporate responsibility but also a responsibility of every individual. Therefore, we actively practice social sustainability, allowing everyone to become part of the circular economy. Through continuous innovation and improvement, we are committed to providing customers with more environmentally friendly and efficient solutions, working together to build a better future.

ROCKWOOL stone wool excels in resource utilization and energy saving, setting an industry benchmark in recycling and social responsibility. In the future, ROCKWOOL will continue to focus on sustainable development, promoting innovation and application of green building and environmentally friendly materials, contributing to a better future for our planet.

The Sustainable Path of ROCKWOOL Stone Wool

Applications

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

Applications

人有梦想才有动力，国家有梦想才有未来。有梦想，有奋斗，一切美好的东西都能够创造出来。中国特色社会主义已进入新时代，生活在这个时代的中国人民，都有一个共同的梦－实现中华民族伟大复兴。

ROCKWOOL is a world-leading manufacturer of stone wool products. As a synonym for high-quality stone wool, ROCKWOOL stone wool has earned the trust of global users with its excellent fire safety, thermal insulation, water repellency, and durability. Currently, the stone wool industry is becoming increasingly competitive, with numerous brands and varying product quality. Through several tests, we have obtained clear results that highlight the performance differences between ROCKWOOL stone wool and other similar products on the market.

Applications

To determine the differences in water repellency among various brands of stone wool products, we conducted a full water immersion test on different brands of stone wool samples. First, we weighed the samples, all of the same size and density, and then immersed them in water simultaneously. During the test, other brands of stone wool absorbed water and sank to the bottom within minutes, while ROCKWOOL stone wool remained afloat without significant water absorption. After prolonged immersion, we removed the samples, treated the surface water, and weighed them again. The ROCKWOOL stone wool sample had a volume water absorption rate of only 0.34%, far below the national standard. The other brands' products became saturated with water and completely lost their insulation performance.

The Reliable Performance of ROCKWOOL Stone Wool

We conducted a fire resistance test using ROCKWOOL stone wool and another domestic competitor's stone wool, both with a density of 80 kg/m³ and a thickness of 5 cm, using the same blowtorch. When the flame temperature approached 950°C, the competitor's product had already melted and could not ensure fire safety in a real fire scenario. In contrast, only the surface fibers of the ROCKWOOL stone wool showed signs of charring, the material did not melt, and the structure remained intact, demonstrating excellent high-temperature resistance and fire safety. In a fire, ROCKWOOL stone wool can effectively prevent the spread of flames, reduce losses, and provide valuable time for evacuation and rescue efforts.

We conducted a linear shrinkage test to compare the structural stability of different manufacturers' stone wool products under high temperatures. We placed ROCKWOOL and other brands of stone wool samples, all with a density of 80 kg/m³ and the same size, in a high-temperature furnace at 750°C. After 24 hours, we removed the samples and observed their shrinkage: the ROCKWOOL stone wool samples showed minimal shrinkage, maintaining good structural stability under continuous high temperatures. This indicates that ROCKWOOL stone wool has excellent high-temperature resistance and thermal insulation performance. In contrast, the other samples showed significant shrinkage, poor high-temperature resistance, and had lost their original structure.

To determine the differences in water repellency among various brands of stone wool products, we conducted a full water immersion test on different brands of stone wool samples. First, we weighed the samples, all of the same size and density, and then immersed them in water simultaneously. During the test, other brands of stone wool absorbed water and sank to the bottom within minutes, while ROCKWOOL stone wool remained afloat without significant water absorption. After prolonged immersion, we removed the samples, treated the surface water, and weighed them again. The ROCKWOOL stone wool sample had a volume water absorption rate of only 0.34%, far below the national standard. The other brands' products became saturated with water and completely lost their insulation performance.

ROCKWOOL Greater China

Manufacturer

Qingyuan

No.9 Chuangxin Road, Guangfo Industrial Park, Tangtang Town, Fogang County, Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province,P.R.C

T： 0763-4628899

Yangzhou

T： 0514-89189988

No.5 4th Keyan Road, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yizheng City, Jiangsu Province, P.R.C

Beijing

Branches and Offices:

T：（+86）10 6590 6077

T：（+86）21 6211 6725

Shanghai

Guangzhou

F：（+86）20 8210 8603

T：（+86）20 8203 8829

Hong Kong

F：（+852）2758 2005

T：（+852）2754 0877

Taiwan

F：（+886）4 2253 6866

T：（+886）4 2253 6866

Philippines

F ：(+63) 2 7710 651

T ：(+63) 2 7710 650

ROCKWOOL Service Hotline: 400 665 0505

www.rockwool.cn

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