What are man-made mineral fibres (MMF)?
Man-made mineral fibres — MMF for short — are industrially produced insulation materials made from glass, rock or slag. The three main types are glass wool, stone wool and slag wool. Since the 1950s they have been among the most widely used insulation materials in Austrian buildings.
MMF are not inherently dangerous — but old MMF manufactured before 1996 can pose a serious health risk. And that is precisely the problem: old and new fibres cannot be told apart by their appearance.
Old MMF vs. new MMF — the crucial difference
1996 marks the dividing line: in that year the RAL quality mark was introduced, certifying only biosoluble mineral fibres. The difference is health-critical:
- Old MMF (pre-1996): Biopersistent fibres — the body cannot break them down. They remain in the lungs and can cause chronic inflammation and cancer. Classified by the IARC as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B) — a similar risk profile to asbestos.
- New MMF (post-1996, RAL quality mark): Biosoluble fibres — the body breaks them down within a few weeks. Harmless to health under normal exposure.
The practical problem: many buildings have been insulated over decades — old and new fibres often lie directly alongside one another. Distinguishing between them without laboratory analysis is impossible.
Where are MMF found in Austrian buildings?
Man-made mineral fibres are present in almost every building. The most common installation locations:
- Roof insulation: Between-rafter and over-rafter insulation — by far the most common location
- Intermediate ceilings: Suspended ceilings with mineral fibre panels or loose infill
- Facade insulation: External wall insulation composite systems (ETICS) with mineral wool core
- Partition walls: Lightweight partition walls with mineral wool as sound and fire protection infill
- Ventilation ducts: Mineral fibre insulation on ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Technical insulation: Pipe insulation on heating and water pipes
Health risk of old MMF
Old man-made mineral fibres (pre-1996) can release respirable fibres when damaged or worked. The health effects:
- Lung irritation: Coughing, breathlessness and chronic respiratory irritation with repeated exposure
- Cancer risk: Old biopersistent fibres are classified as possibly carcinogenic (IARC Group 2B)
- Skin irritation: Typical itching and redness on skin contact — also with new fibres, but no long-term risk
- Eye irritation: On direct contact with fibre dust
In Austria, TRGS 521 governs the handling of old mineral fibres. Old MMF must be disposed of as hazardous waste — disposal with normal construction rubble is prohibited.
How we analyse MMF
Distinguishing between old and new MMF requires laboratory analysis — visual inspection is not sufficient. Our process:
1. Site inspection and sampling
We come in person and record all insulation materials in the building. Samples are taken professionally — with documentation of installation location, material condition and estimated installation year.
2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Analysis is carried out by SEM with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). This determines fibre diameter, fibre length and chemical composition. This clearly establishes whether old biopersistent or new biosoluble fibres are present.
3. Report and recommendation
You receive a clear report with an unambiguous classification (old or new MMF), risk assessment and concrete action recommendations: leave in place, encapsulate or professionally remove — with guidance on correct disposal.
Costs
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Sample from material (insulation, mats, boards) | €69 |
| Sample from mineral matrix (compressed / bound) | €149 |
| Site inspection flat fee | €290 |
| Video initial consultation | free |
✻ In rare cases — where analyses require unusual laboratory preparation (e.g. heavily contaminated samples or complex sample processing) — we reserve the right to charge a surcharge of up to €30 per sample. We inform you in advance.
Not sure which matrix applies in your case? We clarify this in the free initial consultation.
Frequently asked questions about MMF analysis
That depends on its age. Mineral wool installed before 1996 may contain biopersistent fibres classified as possibly carcinogenic (IARC Group 2B). Newer mineral wool with the RAL quality mark is harmless to health. Only SEM analysis can reliably determine whether old or new MMF are present.
An individual analysis for man-made mineral fibres costs from €69 per material sample (SEM analysis). For mineral matrix (compressed or bound) the cost is €149 per sample. The site inspection flat fee is €290 (flat, regardless of scope). In rare cases — where analyses require unusual laboratory preparation — we reserve the right to charge a surcharge of up to €30 per material sample. We inform you in advance. In the free initial consultation we discuss how many samples make sense.
MMF is analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This determines fibre diameter, fibre length and chemical composition. This makes it possible to distinguish between old biopersistent and new biosoluble fibres.
Old MMF (pre-1996) does not necessarily have to be removed immediately, as long as it is installed intact and is not accessible. However, strict regulations apply during renovation, conversion or demolition: old MMF must be disposed of as hazardous waste and its removal requires protective measures in accordance with TRGS 521.
What does MMF remediation cost?
Typical remediation costs (indicative figures)
- Remove MMF roof insulation€3,000–€10,000
- Dispose of MMF partition walls€1,500–€5,000
- MMF in ventilation ducts€2,000–€6,000
An MMF analysis from €69 clarifies whether your insulation is the old, biopersistent type — or harmless new MMF.
After remediation we offer a clearance measurement: indoor air measurement to VDI 3492 with SEM analysis, to document that no MMF fibres remain detectable in the indoor air. More on renovation monitoring →