NACE 23.9 – Manufacture of Other Non-metallic Mineral Products | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 23.9 covers the manufacture of other mineral products not classified in the other groups of Division 23 — in particular abrasives, mineral wool (stone wool and glass wool as insulation materials), calcium-silicate insulation and other non-metallic mineral products. In public procurement, mineral wool dominates as the insulation material of choice for public building refurbishments, energy-efficiency programmes and public housing.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 23.9 cover?

NACE 23.9 (Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products) classifies companies that produce specialty mineral products used in thermal and acoustic insulation as well as in industrial technology — insulation materials are among the most important procurement items in public building refurbishments.

Group 23.9 within Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 23 is broken down into several classes:

In public procurement, mineral wool (stone and glass wool) clearly dominates as the most widely used insulation material for the energy-efficient refurbishment of roofs, façades, basement ceilings and pipework in public buildings. The market is dominated by a small number of large manufacturers (ROCKWOOL, ISOVER, KNAUF Insulation).

Public tenders: scope of activity NACE 23.9

Mineral wool and related insulation materials are core products of public building refurbishment — supported by federal funding programmes (BEG), municipal investments and climate-policy targets, the procurement volume for mineral insulation has risen sharply in recent years.

Typical contract types

• Façade insulation of public buildings: mineral-wool façade boards for ETICS systems in the energy-efficient refurbishment of schools, administrative buildings and municipal housing
• Roof insulation and refurbishment: stone-wool roof insulation and tapered insulation for flat roofs of public facilities
• Technical insulation: stone-wool pipe sections and mats for the insulation of pipes and systems in public buildings and municipal heating plants
• Fire-protection insulation: mineral wool as a non-combustible insulation material (Euroclass A1) for fire-protection-relevant areas in public buildings (escape routes, stairwells)
• Acoustic insulation: mineral-wool acoustic boards for interior walls, ceilings and technical installations in schools, offices and assembly rooms
• Industrial applications: high-temperature stone wool for municipal WIPs, combined heat-and-power plants and district-heating centres

Thresholds and procurement procedures

Insulation-material procurement as part of larger refurbishment projects frequently exceeds the EU supply threshold (EUR 221,000) when bundled into framework agreements. Such contracts are tendered EU-wide in the open procedure. For refurbishment measures where insulation is only part of a comprehensive works contract, the works threshold applies.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 23.9

The following CPV codes are relevant for searching tenders in the field of mineral wool, insulation materials and abrasives on TED and national procurement platforms.

Current tenders are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily), on the German Procurement Portal (DTVP) and on procurement platforms of the federal states.

For whom is NACE 23.9 relevant in procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

The main contracting authorities for mineral wool and insulation materials are municipal building-services companies and building departments (building refurbishment), public housing associations (stock refurbishment), school construction agencies (energy-efficient refurbishment of school buildings), municipal district-heating and energy-supply companies (pipework insulation), and federal authorities via the Federal Real Estate Agency (BImA) for federally owned properties.

Companies and bidders

Manufacturers and wholesalers of mineral wool and insulation materials acting as bidders should consider:

• CE marking and standards: EN 13162 (mineral wool) as a mandatory basis; CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation; thermal-conductivity classes (WLG) in the specification
• Fire classification: Euroclass A1 or A2 (non-combustible) as a mandatory criterion for many public applications (escape routes, fire-protection compartments)
• Environmental evidence: EMAS certification, EPD under EN 15804, OEKO-TEX-equivalent health certificates (e.g. EUCEB for mineral wool, evidence of bio-soluble fibres)
• Energy-efficiency labels: insulation materials are increasingly assessed based on life-cycle energy demand (embodied energy vs. savings potential)
• Delivery reliability: reliable availability even at times of high demand (refurbishment booms after funding-programme launches); capacity evidence

NACE 23.9 in context: Section C and Division 23

NACE 23.9 rounds off Division 23 with specialty products. Among these, mineral wool has become one of the strategically most important building materials owing to public-sector climate targets and refurbishment programmes.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section
• NACE 23 – Manufacture of glass, ceramics and other non-metallic mineral products: parent division
• NACE 23.1 – Manufacture of glass and glass products: related (glass wool is part of NACE 23.9; glass-fibre insulation is derived from NACE 23.1 glass fibres)
• NACE 41 – Construction of buildings: main consumer of mineral-wool insulation

Frequently asked questions on NACE 23.9 and public tenders

What minimum insulation thicknesses are required in public tenders for building refurbishment? The minimum requirements follow from the German Building Energy Act (GEG) and the requirements of the respective funding programmes (BEG). For external walls, a U value ≤ 0.20 W/(m²K) is generally targeted, which, depending on the insulation material, requires mineral-wool thicknesses of 14–20 cm.

What is the difference between stone wool and glass wool in public tenders? Both are types of mineral wool (non-combustible, Euroclass A1/A2). Stone wool has higher compressive strength (more suitable for façade boards and flat roofs); glass wool has lower weight and better thermal-conductivity values at the same density (more suitable for roof fit-out and lightweight partitions). The specification must define the specific requirements precisely.

Are abrasives also tendered publicly? Abrasives (sandpaper, grinding wheels, belts) are procured for building and fleet maintenance, generally in simplified procedures or via procurement framework agreements (e.g. through BITMARCK for statutory-health-insurance bodies or federal procurement offices). EU-wide tenders are rare for small quantities.

Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement.