Work is already underway on the addition that'll include a new production line and warehouse space adjacent to the existing facility on Harrop Drive.

Once complete -- which is expected in March -- it'll create about 100 new permanent jobs for local residents and bring the total facility size up to about 700,000 square feet.

"The expansion will help Roxul grow its customer base across North America and is great news for our employees and the local economy," said Roxul president Trent Ogilvie.

He explained the company waited to get the needed permits and approvals and for winter to come and go before having the ceremonial groundbreaking.

The new production line will be fitted with state-of-the-art technologies to provide the most effective emission controls.

"While our production output is expected to triple, our total emissions will be less than half of the provincial limits," said Ogilvie.

The project has been made possible by a $10-million loan from the provincial government through its Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy, which provides repayable loans -- interest-free for up to five years -- to support investments in technology and innovation.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello, who was in attendance, said the provincial government is pleased to be giving Roxul the loan.

"Here's a company making innovative products that save energy and help our environment," she said. "There's huge potential for Ontario to be a leader in the green economy and our government wants to do everything it can to help companies like this succeed."

Roxul is working in co-operation with the Town, Region, Industry Canada, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of the Environment to ensure the project is designed and constructed to meet or exceed the building code and environmental standards for Ontario.

Mayor Gord Krantz told the crowd at the ground breaking that while it's important to attract new businesses to the community, it's equally important to keep the existing companies, like Roxul, in town.

"As the fastest-growing community in Canada, we support the expansion of companies in Milton's industrial/commercial family," he said, noting Roxul will create jobs for local residents and generate tax dollars and development charge revenues for the municipality.

Roxul Inc. is part of Rockwool International, the world's largest producer of mineral wool insulation.

The process to make the product resembles the natural action of a volcano. Recycled steel slag and natural volcanic rock is melted under intense heat and spun into fibres. The material is then cut and trimmed into finished insulation products.

Roxul's products are fire resistant, water repellent, non-corrosive and resistant to mould, fungi and bacterial growth.

Once installed, the energy used to manufacture Roxul insulation is recovered within three weeks of ordinary use.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.