Closing the loop: How ROCKWOOL made stone wool circular
Circle Economy provided a tailored strategy, a custom KPI framework, and actionable recommendations to help the company boost the use of secondary materials and expand its recycling programmes.
Real-world results: What changed at ROCKWOOL
Recycling services are now offered in 24 countries.
We developed a custom KPI framework that aligns with key reporting standards like CSRD and the EU Taxonomy.
A new recycling programme was introduced, recycling over 59,000 tonnes of stone wool in 2024 alone.
20.5% of materials used in products are now secondary.
The gap: A circular product with a linear value chain
Despite the fact that stone wool can be endlessly recycled, ROCKWOOL faced a challenge: only a small fraction of the materials in its value chain were circular. The company lacked a strategic approach to measuring this gap or a clear set of actions to increase its use of recycled materials. Without a way to connect its circular ambition with its daily operations, it couldn't make significant progress at scale.
What we delivered: A circular product with a linear value chain
We worked with ROCKWOOL to bridge its circularity gap with a strategic, data-driven approach. We developed a tailored KPI framework designed to fit their internal data capacity, which allowed us to create a dashboard for visualising their circularity progress. Based on this analysis, we provided detailed recommendations on how to use a range of levers, from material sourcing to waste management. Our work gave ROCKWOOL a clear roadmap for expanding its recycling services, increasing its use of secondary materials, and building a more sustainable business.
ROCKWOOL’s story shows what happens when a strategic approach leads to concrete action. Want to build your company’s roadmap to circularity?
