Lime production

Produced Lime

Lime is produced by heating limestone or similar materials at high temperatures (around 900°C to 1000°C) in a kiln, causing the decomposition of calcium carbonate into quicklime, also known as calcium oxide. The primary uses of quicklime are widespread and include manufacturing steel, paper, glass, water treatment, sugar refining, construction, and soil treatment. It is used to increase soil pH, making nutrients more available to plants, and improving its structure. Quicklime is also a key ingredient in many agri...

Produced Lime

Global Production History

Global Production Map

Production by Country

Market intelligence

Relevant Events

24 events
1 Jan 2021

Processing Startup for Lime in United States

Processing Startup United States Lime

San Bernardino County approved construction of a new lime plant near the Trona quarry, expanding U.S. lime production capacity.

1 Jan 2020

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

U.S. lime plants temporarily closed during the COVID‑19 pandemic, leading to a production decline in 2020.

2020

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Global COVID-19 pandemic caused temporary lime plant closures in the United States, leading to a decline in lime production in 2020.

31 Dec 2019

Tariff Change for Lime in United States

Tariff Change United States Lime

A 3% ad valorem tariff was imposed on imports of calcined dolomite (a lime product) from countries with normal trade relations.

10 Oct 2019

Processing Expansion for Lime in United States

Processing Expansion United States Lime

Graymont announced plans to build a new lime production facility adjacent to its limestone deposit in Rexton, Michigan, expected to become operational by the end of 2020 pending regulatory approvals.

1 Aug 2019

Ownership Change for Lime in United States

Ownership Change United States Lime

Mississippi Lime completed the acquisition of the Calera, Alabama lime facility, expanding its production capacity and distribution network.

31 Dec 2018

Tariff Change for Lime in United States

Tariff Change United States Lime

U.S. tariffs for lime products changed on 12‑31‑2018: a 3% ad‑valorem tariff was applied to calcined dolomite, while quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime remained duty‑free.

31 Dec 2017

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Carmeuse Lime & Stone closed its Millersville, OH lime plant in 2017 after the phasing-out period that began in 2016.

2017

Mine Closure for Lime in United States

Mine Closure United States Lime

A company ceased quicklime production at its Green Bay, Wisconsin plant, leaving only hydrated lime production at that location.

2017

Mine Restart for Lime in United States

Mine Restart United States Lime

A sugar cooperative in Torrington, Wyoming reversed its 2016 closure decision, keeping one quicklime kiln operational and preventing a mine closure.

31 Dec 2016

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Carmeuse Lime & Stone began phasing out lime production at its Millersville, OH plant in 2016, planning to terminate operations entirely in 2017.

31 Dec 2016

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Graymont Ltd. permanently shut down its lime kilns in Tacoma, Washington, ending lime production at the facility in 2016.

31 Dec 2016

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Mercer Lime Co. permanently shut down its lime kilns in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania in 2016, ceasing lime production there.

31 Dec 2016

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Western Sugar Cooperative permanently closed its Torrington, Wyoming sugar‑beet‑processing facility and its associated lime plant in 2016, consolidating production at other sites.

31 Dec 2016

Processing Startup for Lime in United States

Processing Startup United States Lime

Carmeuse Lime & Stone restarted lime production at its Winchester plant in Clear Brook, VA, installing two new gas-fired vertical shaft kilns that replaced the older rotary kiln, thereby restoring production capacity.

1 Jan 2016

Processing Shutdown for Lime in United States

Processing Shutdown United States Lime

Closed the sugar beet processing facility in Torrington, Wyoming, shifting lime production to existing plants in Colorado and Nebraska.

1 Jan 2015

Processing Expansion for Lime in United States

Processing Expansion United States Lime

Constructed a new natural‑gas‑fired vertical‑shaft kiln in Pennsylvania, expanding lime processing capacity.

1 Jan 2015

Processing Expansion for Lime in United States

Processing Expansion United States Lime

Constructed a new natural‑gas‑fired vertical‑shaft kiln in Virginia, expanding lime processing capacity.

31 Dec 2014

Processing Startup for Lime in United States

Processing Startup United States Lime

Reopened an existing lime plant in Alabaster, Alabama, restoring production capacity.

31 Dec 2012

Ownership Change for Lime in United States

Ownership Change United States Lime

A leading North American lime company acquired a regional lime producer in Wisconsin, adding two Wisconsin plants (Eden and Green Bay) and a Michigan plant (Port Inland) to strengthen its upper Midwest presence.

31 Dec 2012

Processing Expansion for Lime in United States

Processing Expansion United States Lime

Two U.S. lime companies announced plans to install gas‑fired vertical shaft kilns, replacing idle rotary kilns in Virginia and adding a third kiln at a Pennsylvania plant to increase capacity by 25%.

1 Aug 2011

Regulatory Change for Lime in United States

Regulatory Change United States Lime

The U.S. EPA issued a final rule deferring the reporting of several greenhouse gas data elements under the GHGRP until March 2013 or 2015, reducing mandatory data disclosure for lime producers.

1 Jul 2011

Mine Expansion for Lime in United States

Mine Expansion United States Lime

Mississippi Lime Co. announced the expansion of hydrated lime capacity at its Ste. Genevieve, MO plant and the installation of a new hydrated lime facility at its Verona, KY plant, expected to be operational by Q4 2011.

1 Jul 2011

Other for Lime in United States

Other United States Lime

Carmeuse Lime & Stone entered a weekly crude glycerin supply agreement with BenchMark Energy Corp to use the biodiesel by‑product at its Black River, Kentucky lime plant, aiming to reduce hazardous air pollutant emissions.

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