Rockwool Group announces ambitious global decarbonization targets

The ROCKWOOL Group, a global leader in stone wool solutions, announces ambitious science-based global decarbonization goals that have been verified and approved by the Science Based Targets (SBTi) initiative.

The main elements of the ROCKWOOL Group's decarbonization plans include:

• The reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions from factories by 38% by 2034 (compared to the 2019 baseline)¹
• The reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions over the entire non-factory life cycle by 20% by 2034 (compared to the 2019 baseline)²

These absolute emission reduction targets, in addition to our existing sustainability targets, represent an ambitious one-third reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3) of the ROCKWOOL Group by 2034, while ensuring the continuous reduction in the intensity of carbon emissions (carbon emitted per tonne produced) of our production.

ROCKWOOL Group CEO Jens Birgersson says: “We are proud to be one of the few energy-intensive production companies whose science-based emission reduction targets have been verified and approved by SBTi. These new goals are built on a solid foundation because we are already a net carbon negative company. While few companies can make this claim, we also know that it is not enough, and this is why we have embarked on this ambitious path of decarbonization. "

Explaining the ROCKWOOL Group's decarbonisation commitment, Jens Birgersson continues: "Achieving these emission reduction targets will be an important step in achieving the overall ambition of reducing the company's greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. By demonstrating that a company of energy-intensive production can achieve these goals, we hope to inspire others to take action to help create a greener and more sustainable future. "

Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Director, Science Based Targets at CDP, one of the partners of the Science Based Targets initiative, comments: “We congratulate the ROCKWOOL Group, which is one of the leaders in its sector by having received the approval of the Science Based Targets initiative for its emission reduction targets. By setting goals based on climate science, the ROCKWOOL Group is preparing for the successful transition to a net zero emissions economy. "

The new decarbonization commitments build on the ROCKWOOL Group's existing net negative carbon intensity (CO2e) status. In fact, throughout the lifetime of its use, ROCKWOOL building insulation sold in 2019 will save 100 times the carbon emitted during its production.³. Infinitely recyclable without loss of performance, rock wool also stands out from non-recyclable building materials that could otherwise be incinerated and generate end-of-life emissions. Recycling stone wool in our factories helps reduce production-related carbon emissions.

Building on our decades-long efforts to improve the energy efficiency of our own operations, reducing direct emissions from our production is a key component of our technological innovation. For example, we are developing electric fusion technology on a large scale, which is particularly suitable from an environmental point of view in countries where the electricity grid is already low carbon. That's why we chose our factory in Moss, Norway, as a pilot project for the largest electric oven in the industry. With the start-up of the new kiln, carbon emissions from the Moss plant will decrease by approximately 80%.

As we pursue decarbonization, we are already reaping the benefits of significant investments in leading fusion technology with flexible use of fuels that allows us to switch from coal to lower carbon intensity fuels such as natural gas or biogas. in sites where this technology is used. In addition to converting our two Danish plants to natural gas in 2020 and certified climate neutral biogas in 2021, we will also convert one of our plants in Poland to natural gas in 2021, and our very last plant under construction. in the United States will be commissioned with natural gas instead of coal. We plan to convert other plants from coal to gas using this smelting technology with flexible fuel use in the coming years.

From now on, the lessons learned from these multiple innovations and our continued efforts in energy efficiency will be applied throughout the global operations of the ROCKWOOL Group.

1 - The 38% target covers Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
2 - The 20% target covers Scope 3 emissions
3 - Including upstream emissions from the extraction and transport of raw materials and fuels