Rockwool Breaks Ground on New WA Manufacturing Facility

(L-R) Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Kip Kelly; Rockwool Executive Vice President, North America Region, Rockwool Group Rory Moss; Walla Walla County Commission Chairman Todd Kimball; Port of Walla Walla Commissioner Amy Schwab; Walla Walla County Commissioner Gunner Fulmer; Walla Walla County Commissioner Bertha Clayton; Port of Walla Walla Commission President Ron Dunning; Rockwool Group Wallula Project Director Dan Lund Sørensen; Port of Walla Walla Executive Director Patrick Reay; and Rockwool Wallula Director of Operations Jørgen Amtoft.

ROCKWOOL North America recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new stone wool manufacturing facility in Walla Walla County, Washington, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion across North America.

Located on 250 acres in the Wallula Gap Business Park, the facility, which represents a $175 million local investment, will be ROCKWOOL’s fifth manufacturing plant in North America and its first in the western United States.

Once operational, the plant is expected to create 125 local jobs and increase production capacity to meet growing demand for sustainable insulation solutions across the region.

New Manufacturing Facility

The new facility will feature ROCKWOOL’s proprietary electric melting technology, reducing the carbon footprint of its manufacturing processes.

Rory Moss, President of ROCKWOOL North America, said: “This groundbreaking represents an important step forward for ROCKWOOL as we expand our presence in the United States.

“We are proud to invest in Walla Walla County and look forward to building a facility that supports our customers, creates local jobs, and contributes to the region’s long-term economic growth.”

Local and state leaders joined ROCKWOOL executives and community stakeholders on April 29, 2026 to commemorate the milestone.

“The Port of Walla Walla is proud to welcome ROCKWOOL as construction begins on this transformative project,” said Port of Walla Walla Commission President Ron Dunning. “This facility represents a major investment in our region and will serve as a cornerstone of sustainable industrial development in the Wallula Gap Business Park.”

“We are excited to see this project move from vision to reality,” added Port of Walla Walla Executive Director Patrick Reay. “ROCKWOOL’s investment underscores Washington’s leadership in attracting advanced manufacturing and clean technology, while creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities.”

With construction now underway, the factory is expected to be complete in order to begin commercial production in 2028.

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