The benefits gained from the inherent properties of stone wool ceilings and acoustic solutions...

Sustainable development may seem like an abstract idea, but over the last decade various methods have evolved to help quantify the environmental impact of building products. The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is the world leading and most widely used system and has become the most effective way of measuring a building’s environmental performance.

Developed in conjunction with industry stakeholders and independent advisors, it provides a holistic approach for measuring the impact of products on the environment using the ‘Ecopoint’ system. This takes into account the recycled content, manufacturing aspects, recycling procedures and logistics, as well as transportation of raw materials and finished goods. These are then measured against key criteria, such as ozone depletion, waste generation, water extraction, etc to assess their environmental impact. Using BRE’s Environmental Profiles Methodology 2008, products are given an environmental ranking (EPD) based on Life Cycle Assessments.

Raw materials and manufacturing

The raw materials that go into a product may be natural, synthetic, renewable or recycled, in varying proportions. With depletion of the earth’s natural resources a major concern, the higher the renewable or recycled content the better.

The stone wool used in Rockfon ceilings is primarily made from diabase rock and recycled materials. Diabase rock is an abundant natural resource that is constantly being renewed through volcanic activity and plate tectonics at a rate far in excess of that extracted for industry. Inorganic remnants like residues from the metal industry can also be used to substitute virgin diabase rock, and technology is constantly evolving to allow use of residue materials from other industries too.

The Rockwool Group is the world’s leading producer of stone wool and has invested heavily in recycling facilities to reduce the amount of production waste going to landfill. Most of the by-products that cannot be re-used directly make ideal raw materials for other industries, such as iron.

Most Rockwool factories are located near to diabase rock extraction sites to minimise transportation. Production processes are also optimised to reduce consumption of water and energy. Water is mainly used in the binder, for cooling, cleaning and maintenance purposes, utilising a closed-loop system. This ensures efficient use of water and minimises the environmental risks. All factories operate stringent environmental management systems and are accredited to ISO 14001.

Ceilings in use

Buildings account for around 40% of the world’s energy consumption, which is mostly used for heating, cooling or ventilation, where much is wasted. Installing ceilings with a high light reflection can reduce the need for artificial lighting and impact positively on lighting energy consumption. Thermal Mass and Thermo Active Building systems are also becoming increasingly common, requiring acoustic solutions that allow free movement of air between the ceiling and the rest of the room.

Tests on thermal active systems have shown that covering up to 50% of the ceiling area has no impact on the cooling capacity effect. Even if covering 80% of the area, cooling capacity is still 70% when compared to an uncovered ceiling. Rockfon acoustic islands, baffles and wall solutions provide the best combined energy and acoustic performance for this type of building.

The indoor environment is important for our health, given that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. Building products should not emit odour, particles, carcinogens, or harmful levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde; as such all Rockfon products are classified E1. A representative panel of Rockfon products are also certified according to the strict Finnish Indoor Climate Label, M1.

Excessive humidity and moisture in a building can promote the development of micro-organisms such as mould and bacteria, which may cause allergic reactions, respiratory illness or skin problems. The inert nature and water repellent properties of the Rockfon stone wool core means that Rockfon products provide no sustenance to harmful  micro-organisms.

End of life

How a product is disposed of at end of life will also impact the environment. Rockfon tiles are categorised as ‘waste accepted at landfills for non-hazardous waste’ in accordance with the EU ‘Landfill Acceptance Criteria’. However, landfill sites are a finite resource and are diminishing rapidly so it is far better to recycle products at the end of their useful life than to dispose of them.

All Rockfon products are fully recyclable, and the Rockwool Group’s ‘Return Schemes’ are now available in the UK and several other European countries. The pan-European network of Rockwool plants ensures that any recycling is done as close as possible to the source, minimising unnecessary transport and CO₂ emissions.

Ceiling tiles with the lowest impact on the environment

Rockfon has recently undergone the stringent, independent BRE Life Cycle Analysis. The results concluded that Rockfon Pacific A24 600x600x12mm ceiling system has the lowest Ecopoint score ever to date. (Certificate No. ENP423a) Visit www.greenbooklive.com to read the results for yourself.