Lime in everyday life

Lime is a natural, important but sometimes overlooked part of our everyday lives. We need lime to treat the water we drink and to remove harmful flue gases from the air. We also need it to enrich the soils we cultivate and to protect our waterways against acidification. Lime is also found in one form or another in many of the foods we consume.

In the iron and steel industry, lime is required to remove impurities and to protect the steel against oxidation. It is also used in paper production and mining. As part of the green transition, lime is necessary for the production of materials such as green steel and green cellulose.

Lime is also an important ingredient in functioning infrastructure. Our roads are coated with asphalt, using lime as a filler and an adhesive to bind bitumen to the aggregate. Lime-based stabilisers are also used for ground stabilisation and to make it possible to build homes and roads even in areas where the ground conditions are tough. The construction industry uses lime products in cement and concrete, and for producing roofing felt.

Lime in the environment

Lake liming

Lakes are limed in order to restore a natural pH value and to prevent damage to plant and animal life caused by oxidation. Liming allows most species to return to their normal population level and thrive in watercourses that were previously acidified.

Air treatment

CHP plants and other industries use lime products for scrubbing flue gases. Sulphur, chlorine and fluorine are removed from flue gases before they leave the chimney by neutralising and precipitating the pollutants using limestone-based products.

Lime in the home

Water treatment

In water treatment, lime is used as a pH booster in order to adjust the hardness of the water, but also to minimise the presence of harmful humic substances, particles and metals in drinking water.

Packaging

In the manufacture of packaging, lime is used in the paper pulp for filling and reduced transparency and to achieve a smooth and printable surface.

Food

Cereals and vegetables thrive in cultivated land with the right pH balance. The lime reduces acidity, giving us more nutritious foods. Lime is also used to purify the sugar beet juice that leaches from sugar beets.

Lime in industry

Steel industry

In steel production, lime is required to remove impurities and to form slag that protects the steel against oxidation. Dolomite is also needed to protect the fireproof lining in the steel furnace, converter or ladle furnace.

Paper & cellulose

The sulphate processes in the paper and cellulose industry require large quantities of burnt lime, an important element in the chemical recycling process. Lime is also used to treat the water and flue gases generated by the paper mill.

Mining

Lime products are used throughout mining production cycles. The mining industry needs lime in order to adjust pH levels, as well as for stabilisation, drainage, filling and filtration. Modern mining requires limestone as well as burnt and slaked lime.

Lime in infrastructure

Roads

Roads, car parks and other flat surfaces are coated with asphalt, using lime as a filler and an adhesive to bind bitumen to the aggregate. Lime-based materials are also used for ground stabilisation when constructing roads in areas where ground conditions are tough.

Bridges & Tunnels

Lime is an important component of conventional concrete used for bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure projects. Using lime has many advantages. It provides a natural lubricating and vibration damping effect and rarely reacts negatively with other substances.

Construction

The construction industry uses limestone and slaked lime in cement and concrete used for building components and house foundations, for example. The lime is used in order to increase the volume of paste, and also to improve the mobility of the concrete. Finely ground lime is also one of the ingredients used to produce roofing...

Lime in agriculture

Improving soil

Farmland is enriched with lime to balance acid deposits and improve soil properties. The right lime balance also makes it easier to process the soil and improves the soil’s ability to absorb water and the phosphorus needed for the crops to grow.

Animal feed

Animals need calcium for bone development, nerve function and to produce milk and eggs. Lime is therefore included as a natural part of animal feed in order to satisfy the animals’ nutritional requirements.