Is Rockwool the Same as Stone Wool?

The Short Answer

No, stone wool and ROCKWOOL are not the same. Stone wool is a material, while ROCKWOOL is a brand name.

What is Stone Wool?

Stone wool is a mineral fiber material made by melting basalt (volcanic rock) at very high temperatures (about 1,500°C) and then spinning it into fibers.

• ✓Natural mineral material
• ✓Made from basalt rock
• ✓Excellent water and air retention
• ✓Widely used in horticulture

What is ROCKWOOL?

ROCKWOOL is a Danish company and brand name that produces stone wool products. It is the world's largest manufacturer of stone wool insulation and growing products.

• ✓Danish company founded in 1937
• ✓Market leader in stone wool products
• ✓Makes both insulation and growing products
• ✓Has become synonymous with stone wool

Similar to Kleenex

Just as Kleenex is a brand name for tissues, ROCKWOOL is a brand name for stone wool. The brand is so dominant that people often say 'ROCKWOOL' when they mean stone wool.

Other Stone Wool Manufacturers

Although ROCKWOOL is the most well-known, there are more manufacturers of stone wool products:

For Horticulture

In professional horticulture, stone wool is mainly used as a growing substrate. It offers excellent properties for hydroponics and is widely used in:

• →Vegetable cultivation in greenhouses
• →Propagation and cuttings
• →Vertical growing systems
• →Hydroponic installations