Lime is a generic term that designates the physical forms in which calcium oxide and magnesium oxide (CaO and MgO) and/or calcium hydroxide and/or magnesium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2 and Mg (OH)2) can appear. The standard that defines the specifications, definitions and conformity criteria for construction limes is the UNE EN 459 standard.
Lime has always been a product extensively used in construction. In fact, lime mortar is the only material used in architectural structures which has demonstrated durability for centuries or millenniums. Examples of these are medieval cathedrals as well as Roman constructions.
Nowadays, Hydrated construction Lime (Calcium Hydroxide) continues exercising a fundamental role in numerous building materials such as ready-made mortars, interior and exterior plaster mixes, pavings, coatings, etc.
Calcium Oxide is used for soil stabilization, especially clay soils, during the construction of highways and other civil engineering infrastructures. It has also been demonstrated that the addition of Calcium Hydroxide in asphalt mixes for the use in road building leads to a reduction of its maintenance.
Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (Calprec PR) is also used in construction materials such as PVC window profiles, construction sealants and various types of synthetic flooring due to its rheological properties and the quality of the finishes it provides.