Manufacture of lime and plaster

NACE code 23.52 covers the manufacture of lime and plaster, which are essential materials in the construction industry. Lime, in the form of quicklime, hydrated lime, or lime putty, is a key ingredient in mortar, plaster, and concrete, while plaster is used for wall and ceiling finishes. This industry plays a vital role in supporting the broader construction sector, which is a major driver of economic activity and employment in many countries.

The production of lime and plaster involves the extraction and processing of limestone, gypsum, and other calcareous raw materials. The main steps include quarrying, crushing, and heating the raw materials to high temperatures in a kiln or furnace. This process drives off carbon dioxide, leaving behind quicklime. The quicklime is then slaked with water to produce hydrated lime or lime putty. Plaster is typically produced by grinding and heating gypsum, then mixing it with water to form a workable paste.

The primary inputs for the manufacture of lime and plaster are limestone, gypsum, and other calcareous minerals. Significant amounts of energy, in the form of heat, are required to drive the chemical reactions that transform the raw materials into the final products. Specialized equipment such as kilns, mills, and mixing tanks are also essential for the production process.

The main outputs of this industry are various forms of lime, including quicklime, hydrated lime, and lime putty, as well as plaster products. These materials are then consumed by other industries, such as 23.61 Construction of buildings, 23.32 Manufacture of bricks, tiles and construction products, in baked clay, and 23.11 Manufacture of flat glass, which use them as key inputs for their own production processes.