Euro Minerals opens new facility for precipitated calcium carbonate

Already around 1900 the first lime works was put into operation in the region of Ischl in the Salzkammergut. For decades, lime has been mined on the Starnkogel and processed into high-quality lime and building material products in the Calmit plant. At present, around 48,000 tons of quicklime are produced annually at the site. The PCC plant will be commissioned in early 2021.

Required and used in a wide range of industries

The production process begins with the production of quick lime from white limestone in the annular shaft kiln through calcination – as has been the case up to now. Up to 20,000 tons of quicklime per year are then processed into milk of lime from the current production by adding water for the production of precipitated calcium carbonate (Q1/2021). In the next step, the CO₂ produced in the annular shaft kiln is reacted with the milk of lime, which is thus refined into PCC. Precipitated calcium carbonate is required and used throughout Europe in a wide range of industries such as paint & varnish, paper, plastics, adhesives and sealants.