National Lime Association

08/06/2026

More than 2,000 years ago, the Romans used lime to build roads, bridges, aqueducts, and buildings that still stand today.

While the world has changed, lime continues to play an essential role in modern society. It is used to produce steel, treat drinking water and wastewater, stabilize soils for roads and construction, improve agricultural soils, and support environmental protection.

The applications have evolved, but the importance of lime has remained the same for thousands of years.

07/31/2026

NLA and SmartEPD are pleased to announce the Lime Product Category Rules (PCR) document is now published and available for download here: https://smartepd.com/pcr-library/.

This is the first North American PCR build specifically for lime – the foundational standard for developing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). This PCR document provides the rules for organizations preparing EPDs according to ISO 14025 and ISO 21930. The rules in this document serve as a subcategory PCR, known as a Part B PCR (“Part B”), to Smart EPD’s Part A PCR (“Part A”).

EPDs are a type of environmental label that discloses information about the environmental impacts associated with products, services, and systems from a life cycle perspective. The overall goal of an EPD is to communicate relevant, verified, and comparable information based on the science of life cycle assessment. EPDs are transparent information disclosures that facilitate informed decision-making and support comparisons among competing products, services, or systems that fulfil the same functions.

Whether you’re a lime producer, LCA practitioner, or Buy Clean-aligned procurer, this PCR supports better data, greater transparency, and faster progress toward low-carbon construction and industry.

NLA would like to thank SmartEPD, Trinity Consultants, our committee members, the public commenters, and our three expert reviewers who contributed to this effort.

07/28/2026

One of the first things many of us do every morning is brush our teeth. What most people don't realize is that lime chemistry helps make that possible.

Many toothpaste formulations use precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), a high-purity mineral produced by first converting limestone into lime, then reacting that lime with carbon dioxide to create an exceptionally pure form of calcium carbonate. This process allows manufacturers to carefully control the particle size and shape, producing a material that functions as a gentle abrasive to remove plaque and surface stains while remaining safe for tooth enamel.

Maintaining oral health helps prevent cavities and gum disease, and research has shown that poor oral health is associated with a higher risk of several chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Brushing with toothpaste is one of the simplest and most effective steps we can take to support our overall health.

07/23/2026

The recent D.C. Circuit court decision upholding EPA's 9 µg/m³ annual PM₂.₅ National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) is an important development for the lime industry. In addition, a separate decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is ordering EPA to designate attainment and nonattainment areas under the new PM NAAQS standard by February 6, 2027. Once areas are designated as PM₂.₅ nonattainment, facilities may face additional permitting requirements, more extensive air quality analyses, and increased regulatory scrutiny before projects can move forward.

For an industry that supplies essential materials for infrastructure, steelmaking, water treatment, environmental protection, and manufacturing, predictable and practical permitting is critical. The National Lime Association will continue to monitor implementation of the PM₂.₅ standard and advocate for policies that protect both public health and the reliable production of this essential material.



Read more with the links below:
Commonwealth of KY v EPA: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11PQWZBpQ3RgBoe3O1ZXsrkIeW-VaOfcl/view?usp=sharing
California Opinion: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13yf49tGpz4sfgn_SgsOfCaYtrutDUEno/view?usp=sharing

07/16/2026

On Tuesday, NLA's Bill Herz and Bradford Frisby, along with Greer Lime's Kyle Apple, met with the offices of Senator Jim Justice and Congresswoman Carol Miller to discuss issues important to the lime industry, including the Lime NESHAP.

Kyle, Vice President of Greer Lime and Vice President of the NLA Executive Committee, has been instrumental in NLA's regulatory and advocacy efforts surrounding the lime air rule, including hosting EPA officials for an on-site tour to provide firsthand insight into lime manufacturing operations and environmental controls.

Thank you to Senator Justice and Representative Miller for allowing NLA to meet with their staff and discuss these important issues.

07/07/2026

The National Lime Association (NLA) tracks multiple perspectives on energy sources and availability. This is an interesting perspective on the future of coal and the evolving energy landscape.

The National Center for Energy Analytics recently published a report examining how growing electricity demand from AI, data centers, manufacturing, and electrification could influence the role of coal in maintaining grid reliability and energy security.

While this report was not produced by the National Lime Association and its views do not necessarily reflect those of NLA or our members, we believe it contributes to the important conversation about the future of energy and industrial competitiveness. It also represents the type of thought-provoking discussion that could make for an engaging future NLA Annual Meeting presentation.

Read the report here:

One outcome from the disruption in oil and gas markets caused by the war against Iran has been a renewed appreciation...

07/02/2026

This edition of In the Limelight features NLA member MLC, a trusted provider of lime solutions for more than a century. With approximately 1,300 employees and operations across the United States and the United Kingdom, MLC supports industries ranging from water treatment and food production to chemicals and environmental applications.

Learn more about MLC's investments in innovation, safety, and sustainability in the latest edition of In the Limelight. Read it here: https://www.lime.org/resource/in-the-limelight-with-mlc/

06/30/2026

As temperatures climb this Fourth of July weekend, many families and workers alike will be looking for ways to stay cool. Whether you're enjoying time at the pool, lake, beach, or on the job, taking a few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe.

Remember to:
• Never swim alone.
• Keep a close eye on children around water at all times.
• Wear a properly fitted life jacket when boating or participating in water sports.
• Swim in areas with lifeguards whenever possible.
• If you find yourself in trouble in the water, stay calm and float on your back until you can breathe normally and signal for help.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day and take breaks in the shade, especially during periods of extreme heat.

Safe, clean drinking water is one of the best ways to prevent heat-related illness. Lime plays an important role in treating and purifying drinking water, helping communities across the country access the water they rely on every day.

The National Lime Association wishes everyone a safe, healthy, and happy Independence Day weekend.

Inspired by a water safety message from MPA Health and Safety

06/24/2026

As Americans prepare to celebrate America's 250th birthday this Independence Day, let's think about how lime helped shape and preserve the nation's historic landmarks.

Traditional lime mortars and plasters were used in the construction of many colonial-era buildings, including those at Colonial Williamsburg and Philadelphia's Independence Hall. Today, preservation specialists continue to use lime-based materials during restoration projects because they are compatible with historic masonry and help maintain the character and integrity of these important structures.

Lime has been here from the beginning!

06/16/2026

NLA held our Annual Meeting last week at the stunning Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, CA. NLA members heard talks regarding energy, new technologies, steel, the political climate, the state of the Lime industry, and much more.

We would like to thank our speakers:
Paul Hogan, MLC
Mason Douglass, Lhoist
Darrell Sharp, Graymont
John Conard, MLC
Carolyn McCannon and John Morgan, RESPEC
Adam Green, World Steel Dynamics
Hal Lee, Graymont
Oren Pilant, East Daley Analytics
Jeffry Bennett, Barr Engineering
Levi Myers, RHI Magnestia
Valerio Colombari and Alessandro Sassi, Cimprogetti
Pauliina Meskanen, Calectra
Katrin Weber, Refratechnik
Luis Castano, Industrial Accessories Company
Charlie Cook, Cook Political Report
Jon Norman, UCC Environmental
Tomas Carricajo, Andritz
Brian Lants, Schneider Electric IT Mission Critical Services
Evan Thelien, Komarek

Along with the important conversations had, our members enjoyed a kayaking tour, a brewery tour, a catamaran tour, and golf. NLA thanks all of our members, associate members, friends of the industry, and guests for joining us last week. It is always a pleasure when we can all get together!