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Chemicals

Our calcium and magnesium lime-based products and minerals are used as a filler component, a neutralizing agent or a chemical reagent in the production of many organic and inorganic chemicals. Lime and mineral products have numerous applications in the chemical industry due to their natural properties, consistent quality and competitive price. They are an ingredient in the manufacture of many of the substances we use every day, such as leather, wine, paint, soap, citric acid, anti-freeze and more. Lhoist products also play a role in the move from fossil fuels (oil, coal, lignite) to alternative green fuels, like bioethanol, biogas and biodiesel. We are a proven solid, long-term partner to players in the chemical industry around the world.

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Chemical industry

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Chemical applications

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Chemical industry

Lhoist has developed a wide range of lime, dolime and mineral-based products with consistent qualities specifically for the chemical industry:

  • Calcium oxide
  • Calcium hydroxide
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Calcium-magnesium-based oxide and carbonate

Chemical industries that use lime products can be classified into three principal areas:

  • Organic chemistry
  • Inorganic chemistry
  • Parachemistry industry

Organic chemistry

Organic chemistry refers to the petroleum industry, which utilizes lime products mainly as reagents for chemical synthesis. Lime offers a competitive and stable price compared to other alkalines, e.g. caustic soda (NaOH).

The main applications are:

  • Propylene Oxide (PO)
  • Ephichlorohydrin (ECH)
  • Pentaerytritol/Pentaerytride
  • Calcium sulfonate and salicylate as additives for lubricants
  • Calcium carbide

Our lime products offer a number of significant benefits including very consistent quality and appropriate reactivity. These are key to ensuring the high efficiency of lime slurry produced on site. They are available in large volumes (>250.000t/customer) or smaller quantities (bagged materials) and can always be delivered via an optimized supply chain.

Inorganic chemistry

Inorganic chemistry is the processing of mineral substances. In this market, lime products are mainly used as reagents in chemical synthesis to neutralize and clean.

The following applications are significant:

  • Calcium phosphates
  • Calcium silicates
  • Calcium salts
  • High alumina cement
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Citric acid
  • Calcium, magnesium nitrate
  • Sodium chloride

Lhoist’s Ca and Ca-Mg oxide and carbonate products are manufactured to highly consistent quality levels and provide the required high reactivity. They can be delivered in large volumes, either in bulk or bags, using an advantageous logistical process.

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Parachemistry

Parachemistry is the transformation of basic chemicals into functional products. Processes require lime products to act as chemical reagents and neutralizing agents.

Our products are used for a number of applications, such as:

  • Soaps
  • Detergents
  • Paints
  • Gelatins
  • Calcium citrate
  • Calcium acetate
  • Hydrofluoric acid

Environmental processes

Most process water required by the chemical industry needs to be treated with lime to correct its pH and mineral content. You can also treat acidic wastewaters with lime before recycling them or releasing them into the sewage system. 
Chemical processes always require energy in the form of steam, heat and/or electricity. Therefore, most chemical plants have their own power generators with a flue gas cleaning installation. We offer highly efficient lime products for this type of application.

READ MORE:

Drinking & Process Water Flue gas Treatment

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Chemical applications

Lime products are used in many of the products we encounter every day.

  • Citric acid: a raw material for the beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Polyhydric alcohols:used for adhesives, natural glues, paints and coatings (e.g. as white pigment extender (diluent) in emulsion paints).
  • Propylene oxide: a precursor to the propylene glycols from which polyurethane plastics are made. Propylene oxide is also used in the production of wetting agents, solvents, anti-freeze agents, resins, emulsifiers and surfactants.
  • Calcium soap: an important raw material for the paper industry, lubricant and stabilizer in the production of plastics, lubricants and lubricant in the metal industry.
  • Calcium carbonates and minerals for cosmetics, such as the abrasives found in toothpaste, for matting in powder or to produce a peeling effect.
  • Pharmaceuticals/special foods: such as a tablet excipient, for acid regulation in calcium effervescent tablets in mineral mixes, baby food and dietary foodstuffs.

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