Applications

Lime is one of the most widespread and versatile chemicals produced and applied world-wide. Quicklime and hydrated lime have been used in many civilisations for more than 3000 years. Starting off as a building material, lime, dolomitic lime and dolomite are now used in countless different ways.

In industrialised countries the per capita consumption of lime products amounts to approx. 80 kg per year. Global production of lime – including small producers in developing countries and producers who produce for their own needs, such as the steel and paper industries – is estimated to be approx. 300 million tons per year. The sales-relevant lime production thereof amounts to approx. 120 million tons per year.

The most important consumers of lime, dolomitic lime and dolomite are found in the following industries:

• Iron and steelmaking
• Construction and building
• Chemical industry   
• Environmental applications
• Agriculture
• Sugar industry

Useful Literature

• Boynton, R.S., "Chemistry and Technology of Lime and Limestone", John Wiley &. Sons, 1980, ISBN 0-471-02771-5
• Oates, J.A.H., "Lime and Limestone", Wiley-VCH, 1998, ISBN 3-527-29527-5
• European Commission, "Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)" - Reference Document on Best Available Techniques in the Cement and Lime Manufacturing Industries (adopted Dec 2001) 
  ~ 1.3 MB
• Schiele, E., Berens L.W., "Kalk – Herstellung, Eigenschaften, Verwendung", Stahleisen m.b.H., 1972, 
  ISBN 3-514-00115-4