Canada-based ROCKWOOL North America has begun commercial production of stone wool insulation products at its newest U.S. manufacturing facility, in Jefferson County, West Virginia. More than 110 employees have been hired to date with the total number expected to reach 150 over the coming months.

The 460,000 square foot state-of-the-art factory produces ROCKWOOL's residential, commercial and industrial stone wool insulation and marks North America's first post-pandemic increase in stone wool insulation manufacturing capacity.

"In the United States as in Europe and Asia, there is a growing demand for ROCKWOOL's non-combustible, recyclable stone wool insulation. The West Virginia facility will help meet that demand in North America,” said ROCKWOOL Group CEO Jens Birgersson. We are proud that our products play such an important role in reducing the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with buildings, and do so in a safe, sustainable manner."

The facility utilizes industry-leading melting and emissions abatement technologies, including ROCKWOOL's award-winning fuel-flexible melting technology that makes it possible for the factory to start operations using natural gas instead of coal. Using natural gas as the fuel source reduces the facility's CO2 emissions by approximately 30 percent.

"ROCKWOOL is a valued and respected member of the business community in West Virginia. The company has proven themselves to be a terrific corporate citizen," says Mitch Carmichael, West Virginia's Secretary of Economic Development. "We are thrilled to welcome such an innovative company that is committed to supplying the North American market with advanced insulation products manufactured in West Virginia."

With five manufacturing facilities and more than 1,100 employees, ROCKWOOL is North America's largest stone wool producer, offering advanced building insulation, industrial and technical solutions.