Hydrated Lime

As one of the most versatile and widely used lime products, hydrated lime plays a vital role in construction, environmental protection, water treatment and industrial processing. Its ability to deliver consistent chemical performance, safe handling and reliable results makes it a cornerstone material across the UK’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

As the UK’s number one supplier of lime products, Buxton Lime combines decades of technical expertise, advanced manufacturing facilities and nationwide logistics to deliver hydrated lime products that meet the highest standards of quality, consistency and performance.

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Limbux Hydrated Lime

Limbux Hydrated Lime

Lime Wash

Lime Wash

What Is Hydrated Lime?

Hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂), also known as calcium hydroxide or slaked lime, is a fine white powder produced when quicklime is carefully reacted with water. This controlled hydration process transforms a highly reactive material into a stable and manageable product while retaining its strong alkaline and chemical properties.

Because of its purity and predictable behaviour, hydrated lime is widely trusted for applications that demand precise control, reliability and consistent outcomes. It is valued not only for its performance, but also for its ease of storage, handling and transport compared to quicklime, making it suitable for both large-scale industrial operations and construction environments.

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How is Hydrated Lime manufactured?

How is Hydrated Lime manufactured?

Hydrated lime is manufactured through a carefully controlled process that begins with high-quality limestone. The limestone is first processed in kilns to produce quicklime. This quicklime is then combined with water in a controlled hydration process, generating heat and transforming the material into calcium hydroxide.

Precise control of temperature, water addition and processing time is essential to ensure consistent particle size, high purity and reliable reactivity. Buxton Lime’s modern manufacturing facilities are designed to maintain tight quality control throughout production, supported by continuous testing and monitoring. This ensures every batch of hydrated lime delivers dependable performance and meets strict industry standards.

What is Hydrated Lime used for?

What is Hydrated Lime used for?

Hydrated lime supports a wide range of essential industries across the UK. In water and wastewater treatment, it is used to regulate pH levels, neutralise acidic water and remove impurities, helping to maintain safe and compliant water systems. In construction and infrastructure projects, hydrated lime improves the durability of asphalt, enhances resistance to moisture damage and stabilises weak or contaminated soils, extending the life of roads and foundations.

Industrial manufacturers rely on hydrated lime for chemical processing, effluent treatment and material conditioning, while environmental applications include emissions control, neutralisation of acidic waste streams and remediation projects. Its adaptability, reliability and cost-effectiveness make hydrated lime a trusted solution across both public and private sectors.

What Hydrated Lime products does Buxton Lime manufacture?

What Hydrated Lime products does Buxton Lime manufacture?

Buxton Lime manufactures a comprehensive range of hydrated lime products under the Limbux Hydrated Lime brand. Limbux products are engineered to deliver consistent quality, controlled reactivity and dependable performance across a wide range of applications. Different grades are available to suit construction, utilities, environmental and industrial requirements, ensuring customers receive the most effective solution for their specific process or project.

In addition to hydrated lime powders, Buxton Lime also manufactures lime wash products, offering traditional and specialist finishes for heritage, conservation and decorative applications. Lime wash provides breathable, natural surface protection while maintaining the aesthetic character of historic and contemporary buildings alike.

Together, the Limbux hydrated lime range and lime wash products demonstrate Buxton Lime’s ability to serve both large-scale infrastructure markets and specialist architectural sectors, supported by technical expertise and consistent supply.

The unique properties of Hydrated Lime

Hydrated lime offers a unique combination of chemical performance, handling safety and environmental benefits. Its high alkalinity makes it highly effective for neutralisation and pH control, while its fine particle structure allows for rapid reaction and even distribution in mixtures. The material’s stability improves storage and transport safety compared to quicklime, reducing operational risk on site.

Hydrated lime also contributes to long-term durability in construction by improving adhesion, reducing moisture sensitivity and enhancing material longevity. In environmental applications, it supports cleaner water, reduced emissions and responsible waste management. These properties, combined with consistent manufacturing quality, make hydrated lime a dependable choice for critical applications.

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Frequently asked questions

Hydrated lime, also known as calcium hydroxide or slaked lime, is a fine white powder produced by adding water to quicklime in a controlled process. It retains strong alkaline properties while being safer and easier to handle than quicklime. Hydrated lime is widely used in construction, water treatment, environmental protection and industrial processing.

The chemical formula for hydrated lime is Ca(OH)₂, which represents calcium hydroxide.

Hydrated lime is produced by heating high-quality limestone in kilns to form quicklime. The quicklime is then carefully reacted with water in a controlled hydration process. This creates a stable powder with consistent particle size, purity and reactivity. Buxton Lime controls every stage of this process to ensure reliable product performance.

Hydrated lime is used to regulate pH in water and wastewater treatment, improve asphalt durability, stabilise soils, neutralise acidic waste streams, emissions control, support chemical processing and assist environmental remediation projects. Its versatility makes it a critical material across multiple industries.

Quicklime is calcium oxide and reacts aggressively with water, generating significant heat. Hydrated lime has already undergone this reaction during manufacture, making it more stable, safer to handle and easier to dose. Hydrated lime provides more predictable performance in most applications.

Hydrated lime is safer to handle than quicklime but remains alkaline and should be handled using appropriate PPE and safety procedures. Buxton Lime provides safety data sheets and handling guidance for all products.

Buxton Lime manufactures a range of hydrated lime products under the Limbux Hydrated Lime brand. Different grades are available to suit construction, utilities, environmental and industrial applications, with consistent quality and performance across all products.

Yes. Hydrated lime is widely used in potable water and wastewater treatment to control pH, remove impurities and improve water quality. Its predictable reactivity makes it suitable for automated dosing systems.

Hydrated lime improves adhesion between bitumen and aggregate, reduces moisture damage, increases durability and extends pavement lifespan. It is commonly specified for high-performance road construction projects.

Hydrated lime is used to neutralise acidic effluents, control emissions and support waste treatment processes, helping organisations meet environmental regulations and sustainability objectives.

Hydrated lime is available in bulk tanker deliveries, bulk bags and paper sacks, depending on volume requirements and site logistics.

Hydrated lime should be stored in dry, draft free, sealed conditions to prevent moisture absorption and contamination. Proper storage ensures consistent performance and extended shelf life.

Yes. Buxton Lime offers full technical support, including product selection guidance, handling advice, application optimisation and regulatory compliance support.

Buxton Lime operates nationwide logistics and large-scale production facilities, enabling secure supply for major infrastructure projects and long-term industrial contracts.

Lime wash is a breathable coating made using hydrated lime. It is commonly used in heritage and conservation projects to protect masonry while allowing moisture to escape.

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