Lime is an enabling material obtained from the calcination of the limestone in an industrial process, and it is one of the earliest industrial commodities known to humankind; its production and uses have grown with time, and it continues to be one of the essential building blocks of modern society. It is stressed that the EC's objective with its Economic Growth Programme is to promote, within the context of the EU’s wider industrial policy, the competitiveness of industries related to raw materials, including minerals such as lime.
Lime is fundamental in many industrial value chains as the iron and steel production industries, in environmental applications (flue gas cleaning, water and sludge treatment), soil improvement and protection, civil engineering, construction materials, agriculture, and in food and feed additives. Approximately 18% of the market is dedicated to construction materials and civil engineering.
Lime mortars have kept extensive applicability in the European and worldwide scenario of masonry construction, both as joint material in between masonry units and as a plastering material. When compared with cement, the benefits of using lime-based mortars include: a) Low water penetration; b) Increased breathability and moisture control; c) Increased bond strength and reduced cracking; d) Lower efflorescence; e) Easier and cheaper building maintenance; f) Workability and water retention resulting in optimum material use and productivity; g) Lower carbon footprint. In addition, lime-based mortars are fully compatible with ancient masonry, a key issue in conservation of heritage buildings.
SUBLime trained researchers in multiple scientific and engineering fields aiming a better understanding and development of sustainable innovation solutions for lime mortars/plasters in new construction and conservation of the built heritage. The project covered the main features of lime-based applications in the masonry construction, including material characterization, numerical modelling of multi-physics behaviour, functionality, and sustainability in lime use, all within a framework of performance-based design. Innovations were focused on added functionalities and sustainability aspects in lime mortars and plasters, strongly based on novel biomimetic and closed-loop recycling approaches. SUBLime introduced and developed new sustainable solutions with added functionalities such as self-cleaning, self-healing or enhanced CO2 capture capabilities, and considered closed-loop recycling.
