Lime Material Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The global lime material market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.30% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$121.27 billion in 2027, from US$90.329 billion in 2020. Lime is known as an inorganic calcium-containing mineral that is composed of hydroxide as well as oxides. It is also known as calcium oxide, and it is formed by the extensive burning of limestone minerals. It is also a product of coal seam fires. The mineral is widely popular in the construction, mining, water treatment, and agriculture sectors. It has been used in construction and building techniques for thousands of years. There are a plethora of properties of this mineral, which makes it an attractive deposit. The resilience, durability, water-resistant and other multiple properties make the material extremely valuable for various industrial applications. Lime also has other complex and extensive qualities, which include cohesion, air content, adhesion, setting time, bond strength, water content, and resistance to sulfates. These types of qualities and features vary with the construction and manufacturing stage, and the source of the lime ingredient also determines the level of quality and features. The market is mostly fragmented, with regional players having an imperative role in the overall growth.

The construction sector holds a major share in the lime market's growth.

The material has been used in this sector for centuries as it was used in the construction and development of masonry mortars. The buildings, especially mortar constructed with lime, exhibit extensive and exponential strength and water-resistant qualities. The material is widely used in the development of plasters, improving their durability, strength, and overall lifespan. Hydrated lime is widely popular in the construction sector as it is used in the construction of earthen dams, airfields, stabilization of soil, and others. Hydrated lime enhances and modifies the engineering properties and features of the soil, especially workability and threshold. It also enhances the impermeability of soil. Other than hydrated lime, quick lime has made a major impact in the construction sector on parched, soaked, and wet soil. This helps in the expansion and enhancement of the working surface. There has been a notable change in recent years, regarding the effects of lime on the soil. Clay soil witnessed a major change as these types of soil contain considerable plasticity. Lime alters the wet retention capacity and improves the overall stability of clay soil. There are certain steps and procedures required to ensure that there is an enhancement in the longevity and shear strength of the soil, which makes it beneficial for building and construction activities. The global lime market will witness significant growth from the rise of the construction sector.

According to the International Organizing Committee for the World Mining Congresses, there has been a substantial rise in the overall production of minerals worldwide in recent years.

Global mining production was around 17.7 billion metric tonnes in the year 2019, with a rise of around 6.4 billion metric tonnes since the beginning of this century. The Asia-Pacific Region produced 65.1% of total output, followed by North America (15.3%), Europe (8%), Africa (5.5%), and the rest of the world. China, the USA, Russia, and Australia are four major mining nations, with China accounting for 23% of the total share, followed by the USA, Russia, and Australia. These four nations accounted for half of the global mining share.

The global lime market will witness a surge with the growth of the mining sector as the material is extensively used to eliminate and remove impurities during the manufacturing process of steel, iron, gold, alumina, silver, lead, copper, and others. Lime material plays an imperative role in the production of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, Germanium, and other related metals. It is used to treat and cure copper ore, recover gold from metals, and extract uranium.

Limestone is making a significant impact in the water treatment industry. Because of its cost-effective and alkaline properties, it is registering a demand in the making of impure drinking water. It is also used in the treatment of waste sludge and water. Most of the lime used, such as quick and hydrated lime, is used to enhance the drinking water quality and the water, which is widely used by respective industries. Lime water can be purified, softened, and acidity can be removed by various treatments. The companies and organizations that have used lime water for water treatment properties stated that there has been an enhancement in the smell, colour, and taste of the drinking water. The cloudiness gets removed and various types of infected organisms get eliminated. With governments worldwide investing a considerable sum of capital into the purification of their water resources, the market will continue to register significant growth.

According to the data given by the United States Geological Survey in 2019, a total of around 18 million tonnes of hydrate and quick lime were produced in the United States. The total value of the production was around USD 2.4 billion. There were about 28 companies that were major producers of lime. Out of these, 18 companies were engaged in commercialization and the other 10 companies were manufacturing and producing lime for the sugar companies. The market has widespread potential in the United States. The companies producing lime in the United States operated 74 primary lime plants in the year 2019. Six of these companies were running hydrating lime plants. Major players have invested a considerable sum in the market, as the top 5 major companies in the United States, accounted for 80% of total domestic lime production. The major lime-producing states in the United States in 2019 were Texas, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, and Alabama, and the major markets were steelmaking, industrial and chemical applications such as glass, fertilizers, sugar refining, and others. The Asia-Pacific region holds a major share of the market and will register significant growth during the forecast period. China and India hold a major share of the market. China is the biggest producer of lime material worldwide, with the production of around 300 million metric tonnes in 2019. There are a plethora of companies operating in China, and the market will grow at a decent rate in the coming years. India also holds a major share in lime production as it produced 16 million tonnes, in the year 2019. The reason for the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific region is the rising demand for better and finer quality minerals, in construction, mining, agriculture, and water treatment. The rise of the middle-class population in the region will also drive the overall market growth during the forecast period.

Key Developments in the Market:

• In May 2020, Lhoist North America gained permit permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to build a new energy-efficient lime kiln at its Marble Falls, Texas facility, following a comprehensive technical evaluation. The regulatory approval allows Lhoist to commence construction on the facility's notable expansion. The new vertical kiln is driven primarily by increased demand in the steel industry for Lhoist's high purity dolomitic lime products.
• In February 2022, Singleton Birch, Birch Chemicals' parent company, has reaffirmed its dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainability through a new collaboration with Origen, an Oxford University spin-off, which will explore new routes to attain zero-carbon lime production. The collaboration aims to create new kilns based on oxy-fuel flash calciner technology. The duo aims to change the future of global lime production by combining Origen's skilled design team and Singleton Birch's expertise.

Covid-19 Impact:

Covid-19 had a negative impact on the Global Lime market. Amid the global pandemic, the growing number of infected cases, lockdown, and social distancing measures have led to the closure of several chemical factories. Furthermore, the economic recession and low staffing resulted in the halt of many construction projects. The chemical and construction segments are critical end-users of lime. Furthermore, the travel restrictions imposed by several countries disrupted the supply chain.

Market Segmentation:

By Type

• Hydrated Lime
• Quick Lime

By Applications

• Water Treatment
• Mining & Metallurgy
• Building Material
• Agriculture

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Europe
• Germany
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• France
• Italy
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• India
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• Thailand