Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a special calcium and/or magnesium hydroxide in which CaO and/or MgO is reacted with water in the presence of an additive selected among ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and mixtures thereof, the weight ratio additive to CaO and/or MgO being greater than 0.002:1.