Building lime, a vital component in construction, could soon be made with a much smaller footprint.
Building lime is a made from limestone, chalk, or shells, which are mainly composed of calcium carbonate. It is produced by heating these materials in a kiln to create quicklime, which is then hydrated to form lime for construction use.
Lime is used in mortar, plaster and other applications due to its durability and flexibility.
Its production releases carbon dioxide during the heating process, contributing to its carbon footprint. However, lime absorbs CO2 over time as it cures, partially offsetting emissions.
Now US CCS firm Nuada has teamed up with the Mississippi Lime Company (MLC), to revolutionise lime manufacturing with carbon capture technology at their facility in Missouri.
The partnership aims to slash CO₂ emissions by 95%, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in an industry known for its high carbon footprint.
Traditional CO₂ capture methods have struggled to work cost effectively.
Nuada’s cutting-edge use of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), to selectively capture CO₂, along with vacuum adsorption to separate gases without excessive energy use, is a cost-effective, scalable solution.
It’s hoped this new project will speed up decarbonisation of lime production and set an industry standard for integrating advanced carbon capture.