A co-product of the acetylene generation process, carbide lime (hydrated lime or calcium hydroxide) is also extremely useful in a variety of industrial applications.

For instance, steelmakers use this compound to neutralize waste pickling acid, while municipalities use it to treat sewage...road builders to stabilize soil...utilities to remove sulfur dioxide from stack gases...and builders to make sand-lime brick. Carbide Industries is a major supplier of this product, which is available in both dry and slurry forms.