The crucial role of quicklime – how this simple material powers modern industry

From construction and soil remediation to steel manufacturing and water treatment, quicklime’s unique properties and versatility have made it an essential compound in such a wide range of industry sectors.

Construction and infrastructure

One of the most well-known applications of quicklime is in the construction industry. Quicklime has been used for centuries in the production of mortar, concrete, and other building materials. Its alkaline nature and ability to react with water make it an essential component in the creation of durable and long-lasting structures.

In modern construction, quicklime is also used for soil stabilisation, where it is added to problematic soils to improve their physical and chemical properties, enhancing their strength, durability, and resistance to weathering.

Our Limbase Quicklime is renowned throughout the construction industry for its consistent quality and performance. Limbase Quicklime soil stabilisation is a well established technique giving environmental, speed and cost benefits for many ground engineering projects.

Find out more about Limbase Quicklime

Environmental remediation

Environmental remediation & wastewater

Quicklime’s versatility plays an important part in the realm of environmental remediation. In the treatment of wastewater and sludge, quicklime is used to adjust pH levels, remove impurities, and stabilise hazardous materials, making it an integral part of water treatment processes.

Quicklime is also employed in the remediation of contaminated soils and sediments, where it can be used to reduce moisture content, improve geotechnical properties, and help in the bioremediation of pollutants. Find out more about Calbux Quicklime

Quicklime’s alkaline properties make it a valuable reagent in the treatment of water and wastewater. It is used to adjust the pH levels of acidic water, remove impurities, and disinfect water sources, ensuring the production of clean and safe drinking water.

At Buxton Lime our Biocal range of quicklime products has been specifically developed for the treatment of dewatered or digested biosolid sludge.

Steel and metals manufacturing

Steel and metals manufacturing

The steel industry is another major consumer of quicklime, where it is used as a fluxing agent to extract impurities from molten iron, leading to the production of higher-quality steel. Quicklime’s ability to react with impurities and form a slag that can be easily removed makes it an essential component in the steelmaking process.

Additionally, quicklime is used in the processing of various other metals, including nonferrous metals, where it helps to control pH levels and facilitate the extraction of valuable minerals.

Find out more about Calbux Quicklime

Paper and pulp production

Paper and pulp production

In the paper and pulp industry, quicklime plays a crucial role in the causticising process, where it is used to improve the efficiency of the recovery of sodium hydroxide from the spent pulping liquor. This process helps to recycle valuable chemicals and reduce the environmental impact of paper production.

Chemical manufacturing

Chemical manufacturing

Quicklime is an essential raw material in the production of a wide range of chemicals, including calcium hydroxide, which is used in various industrial and consumer applications. Its versatility as a chemical precursor has made it a staple in the chemical manufacturing industry.

Glass and fibreglass production

Glass and fibreglass production

In the glass and fibreglass industries, quicklime is used as a stabiliser, helping to lower the melting temperature of silica-based materials and improve their overall quality and durability.

Soil remediation

Soil remediation

Quicklime's ability to modify soil properties has led to its use in the remediation of contaminated soils and the stabilisation of hazardous materials.

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Calbux Quicklime

Calbux Quicklime

Limbase Quicklime

Limbase Quicklime

Biocal Quicklime

Biocal Quicklime