British Lime Association renamed as MPA Lime
BLA changes its name to strengthen its position as part of the Mineral Products Association
THE trade body for UK producers of lime has changed its name to strengthen its position as part of the Mineral Products Association (MPA). MPA Lime is the new name for the British Lime Association (BLA) representing all of the industrial mineral lime producers in the UK.
MPA Lime has three full members – Lhoist UK, Singleton Birch and Tarmac – who between them produce more than 1 million tonnes of industrial lime sold in the UK each year, as well as exporting specialist products overseas. In addition, there are three associate members – British Sugar, Specialty Minerals and Tata Steel Europe – who produce industrial lime for their own product manufacturing.
Founded in 1989, the BLA was affiliated with the MPA’s predecessors (BACMI and QPA) and was one of the trade bodies which came together to form the MPA in 2009. The latest move to rename as MPA Lime is aimed at leveraging the MPA brand, presence and activity on a number of fronts, including government policy to regulatory reform.
Each year the UK lime industry makes a GVA (gross value added) contribution to the economy of £55 million but it is a critical supplier of products to a vast array of other UK industry sectors that have a combined turnover in excess of £500 billion.
Mike Haynes, director of MPA Lime, said: ‘Lime plays an important role in numerous industries and applications yet is often overlooked because it’s hidden from view. However, lime can be likened to the yeast needed to make bread – you don’t need a lot of it compared with other ingredients and yet, just like in bread, it makes a crucial difference to a wide range of essential products.
‘Becoming MPA Lime allows us to leverage the MPA brand when it comes to being recognized as a part of the essential minerals industry. At a time when UK manufacturing is under increasing economic, political and regulatory pressures, it is vital that we make our voice heard to demonstrate the enormous value of the lime industry and the great things we’re doing in areas such as alternative energy, resource efficiency, and innovation. Our new name marks a new era for the lime industry in the UK.’
