Stone Wool Core for Sandwich Panels

A sandwich panel is a building material composed of a stone wool insulation core bonded between two outer metal layers, typically steel or aluminium. These prefabricated elements are widely used in the construction industry due to their structural and insulation properties. Sandwich panels can feature various insulation materials (such as PIR, PUR, or foam cores), but a stone wool core provides high fire resistance, withstanding temperatures up to 1000°C. This makes these specific panels highly suitable for industrial and commercial buildings where strict fire safety standards must be met.

Stone wool cores feature high dimensional stability, making them fully compatible with various external panel facings. They bond easily with double-metal facings, including pre-painted galvanised structural steel, stainless steel, and natural or coated aluminium. This compatibility allows manufacturers to design panels for diverse environments, from corrosive industrial settings to architectural facades, ensuring the final panel maintains its mechanical strength and wind resistance over time.

Stone wool is inherently non-combustible and resists temperatures exceeding 1000°C. By using a stone wool core, sandwich panel manufacturers can achieve the highest European fire classification for their finished panels (A2-s1, d0). This means the completed panel system does not contribute to the spread of flames or emit significant toxic smoke. This critical fire barrier helps contain structural damage and provides occupant protection, making buildings safer in case of a fire event.

Stone wool is sourced from abundant natural resources and is indefinitely recyclable. ROCKWOOL provides Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to ensure compliance with green building standards like BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and HQE (High Environmental Quality). 

ROCKWOOL stone wool is fully and indefinitely recyclable without any loss of its mechanical or thermal performance. At the end of a building's lifecycle, the stone wool core can be separated from the metal facings and transformed into new insulation products. ROCKWOOL collaborates with sandwich panel manufacturers and recycling partners through dedicated take-back programmes. This closed-loop recycling infrastructure prevents construction waste from entering landfills, reduces the consumption of raw materials, and supports circular economy goals. Find out more about our sustainability commitments here.