The Cost of Lime

Q I notice, at B&Q, that the price of a 25kg bag of Ordinary Portland Cement is £2.48 and of Hydrated Lime is £5.81. Is not the manufacture simpler and energy cost lower in the case of the lime? Why is it more than double the price?

A It’s simply a matter of the different scales of production – the sheer quantity of cement produced by the major manufacturers and the scale of their production facilities and distribution networks. Of course, the more people use lime, the less difference there will be…we hope.