Rock Wool Manufacturing Company

Rock Wool’s History With Asbestos

Rock Wool Manufacturing Company started in 1943 in Leeds, Alabama, to produce residential blowing wool insulation. In the 1950s, the company expanded into insulating cements and mineral wool boards, experimenting with combining asbestos and rock wool. Workers who manufactured or installed these products faced asbestos exposure on the job.

Rock Wool’s experiments involved incorporating asbestos fibers into wool boards and insulating cements, creating construction materials with increased heat resistance. Installing or removing these products posed put workers and contractors handling them at risk of asbestos exposure and developing diseases like mesothelioma.

Later in the 20th century, Rock Wool shifted away from asbestos. The company added wrapped pipe insulation in 1988. Most of Rock Wool’s products sold today are marketed under the trade name DELTA. Current products no longer contain asbestos and are used in various residential, industrial, commercial and marine construction applications.

Development of Rock Wool Trust

Rock Wool faced many mesothelioma lawsuits from workers who claimed their products caused them to develop asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos companies facing litigation often declare bankruptcy because the total cost of paying all claims can exceed its ability to pay. Bankruptcy lets the company set up a trust to handle current and future claims in an organized way. 

Rock Wool filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. On Dec. 20, 1999, the company emerged from bankruptcy and established the Rock Wool Asbestos Trust to manage and settle asbestos personal injury and property damage claims.

This trust is currently inactive. The last open claim filing period for Rock Wool Manufacturing Company ended on Jan. 13, 2011.

Asbestos Litigation Involving Rock Wool

Rock Wool Manufacturing faced an estimated 150,000 asbestos lawsuits. In a 1994 trial, a jury found Rock Wool negligent of producing unreasonably dangerous products. In addition to having to pay damages to a number of parties, the company was found guilty of not placing hazard warnings on their products.

In Samuel Jackson and his wife’s 1995 case, Rock Wool was one of the many co-defendants that settled during trial. The Jacksons’ suit claimed Rock Wool’s products caused Jackson to develop an asbestos-related disease.

Rock Wool’s Asbestos Products 

The company used asbestos in the following products from 1958 to 1970. Its cement adhesives were used to secure thermal pipe insulation to pipes after asbestos insulation was tightly wrapped around them.

Asbestos-Containing Rock Wool Products

• AF Cement
• Delta Maid High Temp Insulating Cement
• Delta Maid High Temp-Master Cement
• Delta Maid One Shot Insulating Cement
• High Temp-Master

These Rock Wool products incorporated asbestos into cements and insulation, creating materials that exposed workers and contractors to harmful fibers. Their use illustrates the company’s direct involvement in asbestos-related health risks during that period.

Workers at Risk From Rock Wool’s Products

Former Rock Wool employees who manufactured these products faced some of the highest risks of asbestos exposure. When the products were installed, removed, or disturbed during renovations, asbestos dust became airborne, and anyone nearby could inhale the toxic fibers.

Occupations Exposed to Rock Wool Asbestos

• Construction workers
• Demolition workers
• Industrial workers
• Insulators
• Maintenance workers
• Navy or crew members
• Power plant workers
• Shipyard workers
  

The widespread use of Rock Wool asbestos products affected many types of workers in construction, maritime, and industrial settings, including those in jobs with higher asbestos exposure risks. Exposure occurred during manufacturing, installation, maintenance and demolition work.

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