Role of Quick Lime in the Pulp and Paper Industry: Uses and Benefits
The pulp and paper industry plays a vital role in our everyday lives — from the notebooks we write in to the packaging materials that protect our goods. However, few people know about the essential raw materials that make paper production possible. One such material is quick lime, a compound that has been used for centuries across industries for its chemical versatility. In the pulp and paper industry, quick lime serves as a backbone for several crucial processes that ensure quality, efficiency, and sustainability. What is Quick Lime? Quick lime, also known as calcium oxide (CaO), is a white, caustic, and alkaline substance produced by heating limestone (calcium carbonate) at high temperatures in a kiln. This process, known as calcination, removes carbon dioxide, leaving behind quick lime. When mixed with water, it forms calcium hydroxide, or hydrated lime. Its unique properties — high reactivity, alkalinity, and ability to absorb impurities — make quick lime a key ingredient in ...