Lime is one of the most versatile and traditional binding agents in the building materials industry. Whether in wall construction, dry mortars, plasters, flowing screeds, aerated concrete (AAC), asphalt or soil stabilisation – quicklime or lump lime (CaO), hydrated lime (Ca(OH)₂) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) optimise workability, strength, durability and indoor climate. At the same time, lime-based formulations support moisture regulation, inhibit mould growth due to their alkalinity and improve the surface quality of coatings and plasters.
Why lime is indispensable for the building materials industry
Hydrated lime improves the water retention capacity and plasticity of building materials, resulting in smooth surfaces, extended open times and less reworking. In addition, lime reduces the risk of shrinkage cracks and promotes the formation of stable, dense structures in mortar and screed. Its alkaline properties inhibit mould growth, while lime plasters contribute to moisture regulation thanks to their diffusion openness, thus supporting a healthy indoor climate. Lime products also offer a high degree of formulation flexibility – they can be optimally adapted to specific areas of application depending on requirements, from highly reactive lump lime to standardised hydrates and precise carbonate fillers.
Application examples in the construction industry
Dry mortar & plasters: Hydrated lime contributes significantly to improved workability, adhesion and surface quality and is therefore ideal for interior and exterior plasters as well as for renovation and restoration mortars.
Aerated concrete (AAC): Lump lime is a key raw material that ensures a defined pore structure, dimensional stability and compressive strength.
Screeds & flow systems: Lime-based additives ensure optimised rheology, prevent segregation and support uniform flatness.
Asphalt & road construction: Lime powders promote bitumen binding and thus increase resistance to crumbling and ageing cracks.
Soil stabilisation & earthworks: Quicklime and hydrated lime are used to improve the load-bearing capacity and workability of cohesive soils.
Paints & coatings: Lime and carbonate powders serve as fillers to increase opacity, whiteness and ensure stable viscosity.
Product solutions – tailored to your requirements
For construction and building material applications, we recommend product portfolios from our experienced production companies with high raw material purity and consistent grain size distribution/reactivity control:
- Lump lime and hydrated lime for dry mortar, plaster, AAC, soil stabilisation
- High-quality limestone powders for a wide range of applications.
- High-purity calcium oxides and hydroxides (fine lime, micronized lime and hydrated lime) for applications that require particularly controlled reactivity and purity – including in plasters, mortars and special binders.
- Precisely graded calcium carbonate and dolomite fillers (PCC and minerals) for mortars, fillers, adhesives, paints and asphalts – for defined rheology, higher abrasion and edge stability, and optical quality.
The optimal product selection depends on your formulation (binder matrix), the desired processing window (viscosity, open time), the target standard and the required mechanical properties. Our sales staff will be happy to assist you with the specification.
